Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Rotten apples abound, so don’t condemn the whole barrel

Much has been said about freelance reporter Charlotte Ashton’s comments on Singapore, especially on the label “misery city”. I say to her and others, point out our shortcomings by all means, but please do not make rash judgments. Ungracious conduct can occur in any civilised society.

Much has been said about freelance reporter Charlotte Ashton’s comments on Singapore, especially on the label “misery city”. I say to her and others, point out our shortcomings by all means, but please do not make rash judgments. Ungracious conduct can occur in any civilised society.

For example, while in London several years ago, my wife and I were taking the Tube and had been standing for some time — carriages were packed, as always — when a man sitting in front of us got up to alight.

As my wife was about to take the vacant seat, a young man who was sitting beside it put his left leg on it, denying her the seat. We were shocked and felt humiliated. The other passengers did not intervene.

There is always the rotten apple in a barrel, everywhere. But let us not condemn the whole barrel of apples. My wife and I did not label London an uncouth city because we met many polite, friendly Londoners in the streets, shops and elsewhere.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.