It used to be that "山顶人" were restricted to mountainous or kampung areas, supposedly where people were less educated and hence uncivilised. But now it seems they have invaded every niche of Singapore.

Hubby and I were pondering why. Is it due to the influx of less-cultured immigrants, that Singaporeans now see no need for themselves to upgrade their culture? Or is it that everyone is so caught up with bread and butter issues that they have no time to 'upgrade' themselves internally? Or are the immigrants the very people behaving badly?

Recently there have been a few incidents that brought up this issue again and again for us.

(1)

Last week Hubby and I decided to venture to Eastpoint as there is a big pet accessories shop there. We needed to get a new cat tree. Happily leaving with our purchase, Hubby told me to wait in the shopping centre while he put it in the car and return to have dinner with me.

While Hubby was on his way to the carpark, a furry padded corner of the cat tree accidentally bumped into an Uncle who stopped suddenly in front of him, in the very public area. Hubby apologised in English and tried to move on. The Uncle started scolding him so loudly in Cantonese that his wife and daughter tried to restrain him. Hubby apologised again in Mandarin, but the Uncle didn't seem to understand or take it in.

So Hubby continued up to the carpark, only to hear the Uncle shouting at him from downstairs. He rushed downstairs and asked the Uncle what exactly he wanted, mentally prepared to 'fight'. Luckily the guy's family pulled him away.

We left the place immediately, mood totally spoilt. Hubby was saying, luckily I wasn't with him when the incident happened, or who knows if the Uncle would have turned on the pregnant woman for 'vengeance'.

(2)

I was at a foodcourt. The man in front of me, in his 40s, ordered so many dishes that he left with his 1st tray, leaving the 2nd tray behind. I paid for my food and was waiting with my change and receipt on my tray.

When the man returned, I politely stepped back so he could access his 2nd tray. Instead, he started picking up my change from my tray. I said, "Excuse me, that's my change. Yours is still with the cashier."

He stared at me and put the coins back. Then on second thoughts, he started flicking the coins away so he could see my receipt, just to double-check that it was not his order!

I stared at him with disbelief. How rude. Then as the cashier passed him his change, he still dared to ask her if the money in my tray is his!!! Kudos to the cashier for ignoring him.

Stupid man!!!! Still turned and grinned at me before he left.

(3)

I was at AMK Hub. There's a Thomson Medical Centre clinic there, so there're usually many pregnant women waddling around. I was walking on this particular floor with the clinic when 3 boys came out of a tuition centre. Their mothers greeted them and continued walking ahead while gossiping.

As I walked in line with these mothers, suddenly the boys shouted "Make way!!!" and raced towards us from behind, squeezing in between me and their mothers.

Luckily my reaction was fast, as I jumped to the side and faced the wall. As the boys ran past I couldn't help shouting at them. Super angry.

In actual fact I wanted to stick out my arm and grab one of them by the collar so I could jerk him around and give him a huge dressing down. But in view of my own safety I decided not to.

My shouting did not make them even slow down. The mother closest to me quickly acted blur and moved away when she realised what her kid had done. Soon she herded the whole gang into the lift and away from the crazy woman.

I was even angrier because of the mother's behaviour. She should teach her kid basic manners. And to be careful, especially around the maternity clinic. Or at least say sorry on his behalf >:(

Or maybe AMK is a sua teng area and I should just avoid it if I don't want to be pushed to the ground during my pregnancy.

Labels: Cynic In The House, Pregnancy