Another cultural weekend

[molehill]

Yeah, remember not to make that mountain when the ambulence you need to save your life is stuck in traffic, because local etiquette here is not to care or give way!

['Poisoned']

'A View', I think 'Suggestion' is referring to being 'poisoned' by their mother's negative outlook and inability to cope with being away from home, not local ways.

[A view]

It's different cultures learning to live in one place. I appreciate it's a cultural system with different values. I'm teaching my kids what that means via local behavior. It's not racism. If anything, my kids will have a deeper understanding. But just because you can understand a culture, it doesn't mean you have to like it or accept it. Why do you think there are chinatowns everywhere in the world?

[$Pripps]

I think its just that common courtesy is dying out, everywhere -- it is just that when you are a foreigner in a country sometimes the differences are more easily noticed than back home -- especially if you are in some homesick-modus. I have also met many here who have been very considerate in giving up their seat in the bus for me and my son so I don't believe in the cultural aspect. The road scene is somewhat different, people tend always to show their worst manners when driving, in particular if there is a seemingly lax enforcement of traffic rules.

[To molehill]

Yeah, remember not to make that mountain when the ambulence you need to save your life is stuck in traffic, because local etiquette here is not to care or give way!

By OP's rationale, expats should also ignore ambulances. When in Rome!

[Racism]

Why do you think there are chinatowns everywhere in the world?

What are you trying to imply?  Explain yourself.  

[SAE]

It's different cultures learning to live in one place. I appreciate it's a cultural system with different values. I'm teaching my kids what that means via local behavior. It's not racism. If anything, my kids will have a deeper understanding. But just because you can understand a culture, it doesn't mean you have to like it or accept it. Why do you think there are chinatowns everywhere in the world?

Probably the same reason there is so many British clubs, American clubs, Dutch Clubs etc in the world!  

I'm sorry but it is most definatly racism that you are teaching your children - when you get this riled up over a child taking a bit too long on a swing, or children playing in a pool meant for laps and then resort to blaming a whole race of Singaporeans, then I think you should start trying to figure out the way to Changi.  I'm not sure where you are from, but like you I have traveled a fair bit and have experienced my fair share of different cultures and I can assure you that the behaviours that you have become so upset about are not peculiar to Singaporeans.  

You also mention

[to OP]

I think you had a bad weekend are taking it out on the locals.  I don't really think you are being fair by going on about how bad local are.  All and all I find them okay.  Many have helped me in the past given up their seats and have even given way in traffic.  I am an expat and am surely guilty of all you ranted on about. Things happen get over it.

[Changi]

Was waiting for the Changi card to be played. Very predictable...

[On Chips]

OP, you are spot on! This is a major problem here. The gahmen has tried various campaigns to educate the masses, but we have a looong way to go before they start being considerate to others. C'est la vie.  Of course, there are some kind, considerate souls here too, but they are not the majority.

[A view]

If you define racism as feeling more comfortable among those you have more in common with, then we are all racist. That is why clubs, ghettos, town planning, HDB quotas, enclaves or BBQ guest lists of similar nationalities exist the world over.

I am teaching the idea that different values exist, that is all. Someone from the US or UK may wonder why doors get slammed in their face here, etc: etc:. It's not personal. It's CULTURE. It doesn't mean it is right, or wrong. HOWEVER, my point is that in a city, in any city, surely it is better to cultivate a culture of respect and grace and sharing. Singapore is obviously lacking in this. And yes, sometimes it p*sses me off, as I come from a culture with different values, ones that I happen to believe are more polite!

[Good post "A View"]

Just because you object to an unpleasant trait in another country it doesn't make you racist!  Yes, the behaviour mentioned doesn't just happen here but it doesn't mean we don't get annoyed by it!

[It IS racist]

Because it happens the world over.  Just blaming all Singaporeans for having bad manners because she had a crappy weekend is racist.  I could say that all Europeans are rude because they do not open doors, carry prams etc as illustrated earlier but that would be ridiculous too. There are rude and polite people everywhere (although I struggle to defend the driving here and am acutely aware of the generalisation I'm making), just because the OP came across a run of inconsiderate people this weekend is no reason to write off the manners of an entire nation.  Neither is it reason to teach her children to push past locals.

[Another view.]

Another weekend of local culture...
- At the playground a few kids waiting for a turn on the swing behind a local mother pushing her kid...2mins...5 mins...7mins...10mins, so I ask "Are you going to tell your child to give some of the other kids a turn?". Her reply "my daughter not finish yet".
- At Timezone there are two popular arcade machines; two young local kids playing on them...2mins...5mins...7mins...10mins...swiping their timezone cards again and again and again without any regard for the other kids waiting behind them for a turn. Their parents standing nearby texting and chatting on their mobiles.
- In the swimming pool, a few people swimming up and down doing laps. Two local kids playing around constantly getting in the lanes of the swimmers, when the entire one side of the pool is free. Their parents sitting on the side of the pool, oblivious...

I can respect different cultures and values and rituals, having lived in lots of countries. But on saying that, here it is a very ugly culture for a city. Absolutely no social grace, consideration or respect. No common courtesy. Utterly selfish. Well, I've explained the way things are here to my young children. They now know to use whatever is free; don't waste time waiting for a turn on anything; and not to give a sh*t about others waiting for a turn if they are using something!
When in Rome...     

Every society has its lowest common denominators. Do we all want to be judged by the lowest common denominators of our home countries?

OP, where do you come from? UK - then you must be a yob. Aussie? Are you a bogan?

[Anti-Racism]

Just because you object to an unpleasant trait in another country it doesn't make you racist!  Yes, the behaviour mentioned doesn't just happen here but it doesn't mean we don't get annoyed by it!

Quote from OP.
But on saying that, here it is a very ugly culture for a city. Absolutely no social grace, consideration or respect. No common courtesy. Utterly selfish. Well, I've explained the way things are here to my young children. They now know to use whatever is free; don't waste time waiting for a turn on anything; and not to give a sh*t about others waiting for a turn if they are using something!
When in Rome...
End Quote

This damn well is racism!  

Herewith a definition of racism:
 1. a belief that human races have distinctive characteristics that determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one’s race is superior.