Singaporean Hospitality

When I visited Singapore in September 2022,  it's quite unpleasant journey for me because I frequently treated in a bad way by Singaporean, and it's a red flag for me as a tourist. Because as a visitor, of course you expect to be treated in a good way and you need to feel welcome by the local people. It could be a good reflection for Singapore government to improve or educate their people especially those who involved in public areas or public services.

It's not my first experience in Singapore. I've been there in 2009 and 2019, before Covid hit the world. Every time I went to Singapore I always excited. Because the city is so clean, the public transport is extremely good compared to other country in ASEAN. No country, as advanced as Singapore in terms of urban planning in the region. So, when you came from a developing country, you will be amazed by how good is Singapore.

They could build the country and the city, but they couldn't build the people. I already felt Singaporean is not that friendly. For example, when I first visited Singapore in 2009, I rarely seeing them communicate each other while walking in the subway hall or greeting people that obviously not from your neighbourhood (because my appearance is absolutely shown as a visitor/tourist). And it's also the same when I visited Singapore again in 2019 and 2022. In 2022, it's even worse, I don't know if it's related to pandemic situation because obviously Singapore will also struck very hard, their economic situation were also affected and it makes their life getting harder. As far as I know, living expenses in Singapore aren't cheap, and I've been told by a local tourist guide that it's normal for the citizen to work more than one job to afford the money needed. For example, my guide has two jobs. At day, he works as an employee, but at night, he acts as a tourist guide, and so does his wife.

In my latest visit, before I got on board, I ordered a cup of coffee in the airport cafe. Accidentally, I heard people next to me having a hard time to talk to the caf employee. Voluntarily, I help him communicate with the caf employee and he thanked me for that. Later I know, we are on the same plane to Singapore, and by his accent I guess he is from Singapore. I thought, why don't he asked me (at least) to help him, because he is so helpless with the situation and maybe I could help. Instead, he insisted to explain it to the clueless caf employee and maybe if I'm not interrupted both of them will be frustrated each other.  

In my recent experience there, I arrived at night, at 7 pm local time and due to some administration matter and walk around the airport, me and my friend left almost at 9 pm. We decided to take the bus, and because we're unprepared and unaware of what to do (we don't have card or enough credit card to pay the bus), some drivers not treat us nicely. They told us to get off the bus not in a good way. Although not all of them like that, but in Indonesia I believe they won't do that to visitors.

Another accident happen when I ate in a food court in Bugis Street. An old lady clean up the area, collecting dirty plate from the table, so I thought she is in charge of cleaning (she is). Then, I gave an empty plastic cup that I've been used to her politely. Unexpectedly, she was yelling at me, said that I am a rude person, do not know how to treat senior people, and I should put my trash in a trash bin in the corner. It shocked me and other people, because I didn't mean it. I didn't even know. At least she could tell me because it's my first time doing that, instead of yelling and half scream at me.

In another time, when my friends and I took bus to go to a subway station. Normally, there will be a sign in the front side of the bus to tell the passengers the next bus stop, so people will get ready. But in this bus, the sign was broken. Also it's already quite late, so there is no other people in the bus except us and no passengers waiting in the bus stop. When we first step in the bus, I already told the driver my destination, and with unfriendly facial expression, he nodded, so I thought I've made it clear to him. The driver, an old man, also speeding, so I could not see the label on the bus stop. It turns out, our destination has passed, and when I asked him why he didn't stop, he yelled at me saying it's my responsible not his. An old man, in my mind, in another country, so I try to hold myself not to make unnecessary situation.

It left a question in my mind. Did I make mistake? Or its just their normal attitude? I also realize, how friendly is Indonesian people compared to Singaporean. In Indonesia, when you saw someone that need your help, I believe most of Indonesian will give their hand, like I did in the airport. Or maybe because it is unusual for them to interact with stranger or they do not want to disturb other people privacy. Because, in other country such as South Korea or Japan it is also unusual to even eye contacted with stranger and nodded, as a sign that you are exist, and showing that you appreciate him or her.  

But, not meant to be racist, most of the unfriendly people is chinese race. Another race, such as Indian or Melayu, that also dominant in Singapore are quite friendly and easy to talk to. All the people I mentioned above is chinese race background, especially the chinese race senior citizen.

Right now, Singapore want to expand their tourism by build a new terminal in their airport, Changi airport to increase the number of passengers can be accommodated. As a small country with small natural resources potency, tourism is an obvious choice to generate revenue. The government provides various choices of entertainment. They have almost no difficulty to provide any entertainment due to religion restriction or another boundaries. So, to make tourist feeling comfortable visiting Singapore, I guess the government needs to educate their citizens to treat visitors nicely, without seeing their background or their race. Take a look at Qatar or other country in middle east that also involve in tourism. They've been known for their hospitality despite some of the visitors didn't respected their rules. Still, they treat them nicely. I believe Singapore could improve too, so we can also learn from the smallest country in the region, yet so powerful. If they couldn't, maybe Samosir Island can replace them as a one stop entertainment provider. Horas!