Wish Singaporeans Could be Gracious Like the Japanese

True graciousness is displayed under the greatest pressure and this is why I wish we were more like the wonderful people of Japan. Following the quake and tsunami, this is what I read in the New York Times that prompted me to post this extract.

No buildings had collapsed in his neighborhood, Mr. Tonge said, and people were not panicking — typical of a nation accustomed to order and schooled to stay calm and constructive.

“The few shops open have people queuing nicely,” he said, “with no pushing or fighting or anything.” He said he hoped the earthquake would not come to be known as the “Sendai quake.”

“I haven’t heard it being called the Sendai quake here, but if that’s what people are calling it, then that is unfortunate,” said Mr. Tonge, who lives there with his wife, Yuka, and their 3-year-old daughter, Aoi. “This is a beautiful city with nice people. A great place to live.”

There was also a video that rivetted me. During the earthquake, instead of running for cover for themselves, the staff tried their best to hold up a shelf containing food and wine bottles. They concern and utter dedication, with society before self, touched me to the core.

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About bookjunkie

Blogging about life in Singapore & recently cancer too.
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4 Responses to Wish Singaporeans Could be Gracious Like the Japanese

  1. Al says:

    Yes, Japanese are orderly people. They are brought up to put others before them. I wish Japan and her people can quickly recover from this :'(

    • bookjunkie says:

      I used to be hooked on the show Japan Hour…it was my way of relaxing. I just loved how dedicated the people were to every little task they took on. It was attention to detail to the point of beautiful.

  2. plumerainbow says:

    What a stark contrast compared to the video in your earlier post!

    • bookjunkie says:

      Yes that’s for sure. I wonder what makes a society behave so differently. Tokyo is just as congested as Singapore so the crowds can’t be the reason.

      When will Singapore be as socially gracious?

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