Forum: Some behaviours can be linked to historical baggage

We tend to associate a country’s world-class status with a wealthy, developed economy and a highly educated people culminating in well-behaved citizens (

S’poreans’ behaviour not aligned with country’s world-class standards

, July 23).

However, wealth, education and behaviour are not interrelated. A wealthy person may not be well-educated, a well-educated person may not have good behaviour and so on. This applies to nations and not just individuals. There is a myriad of circumstances that influence a nation’s wealth, education and behaviour. Take behaviour for instance. Fundamentally, a nation’s behaviour is linked and influenced by its historical, religious, social and cultural contexts. 

The Japanese are known to be the most polite people. Historically, it’s in their culture to value societal manners and etiquette in the way they live their lives, and these qualities are imbued at a very young age.

In Thai culture, which is strongly influenced by Buddhism, forgiveness and care are deep-rooted. Smiles symbolise and reflect these qualities.

Singaporeans are known to be kiasu – we fear losing out. We can perhaps link this negative trait of selfishness and inconsiderate behaviour to our historical baggage. Our forefathers, who were immigrants, typically lacked education, were of lower social classes, and had to be overtly competitive to survive.

Generally, we are brought up this way. Even now when Singaporeans have plenty to live on, it would take generations to change the upbringing. Still, as a senior citizen, I am glad for Forum writer Sim Cheng Yu’s poignant observation. As young fourth-generation Singaporeans come of age, it’s time the youth of our nation break free from the past to cultivate and groom behaviours that their next generations can be proud of.

Chow Kok Fai