The Usual Place

Podcast: Why does it feel like Singaporeans are angry all the time?

What triggers one’s frustrations in Singapore? Even the smallest inconvenience can spark irritation, making it feel like we’re always on the edge of our temper.

Natasha Ann Zachariah

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SINGAPORE - Murals and HDB block designs, poor service, bad food, long queues, queue cutters, ‘undeserving’ seat occupiers on public transport, slow walkers, ‘pawrents’ spending money on their furkids, XMMs — the list of what grinds Singaporeans’ gears seems to grow by the day.

Throw in social media platforms into the mix, and the rants come fast and furious.

Like it or not, there’s an appetite for it - just look at the existence of Singapore-centric complaint groups online and the number of members they have. Or the TikTok videos that pop up, where users rant about a perceived slight or minor irritation. Or the people who have been caught in 4K acting out on the roads, in malls or restaurants.

I could go on.

In this episode, I take The Usual Place outdoors to find out if people agree Singaporeans are seemingly angry all the time.

Some point out that people tend to be more vocal online because of the anonymity factor - people can be direct and honest without dealing with the feelings of whom they are commenting about.

One person I meet says people rant online because “they have nothing better to do”. Ouch.

Chalking up the angry sentiment to people having “a bad day”, a teacher whom I speak with has this advice to give to those who get riled up: “Calm down, breathe in, breathe out....anger is not good for that person.”

Do we seem angrier, and if we are, why do you think so? Tell me what you think. Connect with me at

natashaz@sph.com

or DM me on

Instagram

I’ll see you next time at The Usual Place,
Nat

Host: Natasha Zachariah (

natashaz@sph.com.sg

)

Read Natasha’s articles:

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Edited by producers: Teo Tong Kai and Eden Soh