Tourists are really national ambassadors and Singaporeans are 'complaint queens'

As someone who has travelled widely, I am aware that when we go to other countries, we are really representing our own country to foreigners. This probably stems from my choral roots. In the midst of performing at concerts on a major scale, we are really representing our church and religion.

I've encountered fellow Singaporeans on the same tour as I am, giving a bad name to our country. The uncouth mannerisms they display in their speech and behaviour are truly appalling. Such selfish people don't bother about the impression they portray to outsiders and instead care more about their own needs.

Yan Liping mentioned in her letter about this family who disobeyed instructions on the plane to only stand up when the seatbelt signs were not lighted up. This family defies my comments. All I can say is that with them around, I'd be ashamed to tell people I'm a Singaporean just like them. Perhaps they are taking the opportunity to break free from the boundary of rules that curtail their freedom back on mainland or they are showing foreign passengers on the plane that they've reached their homeland and are eager to go home. Are these reasons really justifiable?

GEMS is now being enforced in the sales industry but as Tiah Kiang Choon implies, customers affect the direction of this campaign. If customers think that they are everything, then they can't blame salespeople for giving them such negative attitudes. 'You reap what you sow'. It's a matter of practising empathy. The reason why salespeople give better service to foreigners is because they make the effort to be polite to them, according to Jeffrey Law. They also practise empathy. So, what else is there left to say on this?

I mentioned in a much earlier entry about this bank customer. No other customer was making a mountain as she was. If customers could just stop to think in the salespeople's shoes, they'd understand the whole situation better and less noise would be added to this already noisy world. As a former temporary salesgirl, I'm aware of how much those who work in customer service have to put up with. Such ridiculous customers just spoil their day.

Maria Fung wrote that "many customers tend to be impatient when things are slow...rush(ing) off with our goods without saying a word of thanks." Such typical behaviour is exhibited in restaurants and shopping outlets. Those who do otherwise are the minority. Does it hurt to put yourselves in the salespeople's shoes and give them more time to meet your requests, or say a simple 'thank you' to the service staff? "It is time we learn that going the extra mile in courtesy is a two-way, not one-way affair. "