No enlightened Singaporeans will disagree with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong when he said： “A community of any quality should have a whole range of skills and interests. Its members should paint, write, perform, visit art galleries and enjoy world-class concerts. Only then will they form a vibrant, rounded, interesting community. We have a vision for Singapore to be a renaissance city……”
I am more sanguine then ever before that we shall see a full flowering of the arts in the new millennium, as there is now more widespread realisation that it is very much a part of civilised living.
I am especially encouraged that the younger Singaporeans are in the forefront of this cultural awakening. Their enthusiasm manifests itself in their growing support for the diverse forms of artistic endeavours, whether as spectators, participants or organisers, in the nation's surge to make the appreciation of arts and culture a marker of the spirtual life of the community. Be that as it may, much still needs to be done before the Republic can join the ranks of cultured countries.
Despite the nation's resounding economic success and the resultant enviable affluence which surpasses the living standards of many industrialised countries, such a feat is, unfortunately, not matched by a corresponding improvement in the social graces of its citizens. Many Singaporeans, including the highly-educated and socially-advantaged elites, still routinely display tardy and inconsiderate character traits which would have been frowned upon, if not outright condemned, in a more polite society.
Some of the most common forms of social misbehaviour include leaving hand phones or pagers on which disrupts the proceedings, unpunctuality, latecomers defying instructions not to go to their seats until a natural break, walking in and out of the venue indiscriminately, talking instead of listening and making a beeline for the door even before the performers take their bows.
What makes these Singaporeans behave the way they do？ My own views, admittedly somewhat speculative, are that they probably do not consider their actions as reprehensible. Furthermore, there is a marked absence of peer pressure here, which would make itself palpably felt when such anti-social conduct occurs. The venue managements are partially to blame for condoning transgressions of their house rules when they should be enforcing them strictly and without exceptions, taking a leaf from other countries.
Is this a transitonal problem which will resolve itself before long？ I believe that, unless something effective is being done expeditiously, it will become more deeply-entrenched as time goes on, just like the perennial problem of people turning up late for wedding or other dinners and penalising those who are socially disciplined.
Would another national campaign help？ I hope we would not resort to that ever, as this would certainly make us a butt of jokes in the eyes of the world！
Can a panacea be found to improve Singaporeans' social graces？ If other countries can do it, I believe we can too, but we should not expect immediate results and must persevere in our collective efforts. I venture to put forth the following suggestions aimed at stimulating greater awareness and debate thereon：
1、In place of a cold and stereotyped announcement requesting people to switch off hand phones or pagers, organisers, should come up with a more creative approach that would appeal to their civic responsibility, consideration for the artistes and the uninterrupted enjoyment of everyone.
2、All events at the venue will commence promptly at the stated time, after due prior notice to the public.
3、Latecomers will not be admitted under any circumstances until a natural break occurs. A closed-circuit television should be installed in the foyer for their benefit, as is commonly done in Europe and the United States.
4、Other good housekeeping rules that will enhance audience enjoyment should be communicated to them through appropriate means for a specified period.
5、The media can help in educating the arts supporters by publicising these new measures and exposing those who violate them.
6、Ultimately, the teachers and parents must inculcate the importance of civic consciousness into the young minds by setting an example.This will influence their social behaviour in adulthood.
Would any arts venue operator take up the challenge and give these suggestions, and others that they might think of, a try to see if these potential impediments to our becoming a cultivated society can be eradicated？
（The writer is a retired lawyer）
優(yōu)雅舉止哪里去了？
有見(jiàn)識(shí)的新加坡人,無(wú)不贊同吳作棟總理說(shuō)的這番話：“在一個(gè)有品味的社會(huì)里,人們應(yīng)當(dāng)是多才多藝、興趣廣泛,既能繪畫、寫作、表演,也能欣賞藝術(shù)展覽和的音樂(lè)會(huì)。只有那樣,才能建成一個(gè)生機(jī)勃勃的、充實(shí)而有趣的社會(huì)。我們的理想目標(biāo),是將新加坡建成一座文藝復(fù)興之城?！?BR> 筆者比以往更加樂(lè)觀,相信在新的千禧年里能看到文藝百花盛開(kāi),因?yàn)槿缃袢藗円颜J(rèn)識(shí)到文明的生活離不開(kāi)繁榮的文藝。
尤其令我振奮的,是看見(jiàn)新加坡青年站在推動(dòng)文化覺(jué)醒的前列。
他們熱情洋溢,日益積極支持各種文藝活動(dòng),或旁觀助興,或親身參與,或策劃組織,與國(guó)民同心協(xié)力促進(jìn)對(duì)藝術(shù)文化的欣賞,使之成為我們社會(huì)的精神生活之標(biāo)志。
盡管如此,要使我國(guó)躋身文明國(guó)家之列,不少方面仍有待努力。
我國(guó)的經(jīng)濟(jì)成功聲名遠(yuǎn)揚(yáng),生活之富裕也超過(guò)許多工業(yè)化國(guó)家而令人羨慕,但不幸國(guó)民的行為并未相應(yīng)地優(yōu)雅起來(lái)。許多新加坡人,包括受高深教育、地位優(yōu)越的社會(huì)精英,仍然積習(xí)難改,時(shí)時(shí)表現(xiàn)出漠視他人感受的舉止。若在文明的社會(huì)里,這些行為即使不受到直言譴責(zé),至少也是要遭人白眼的。
最為常見(jiàn)的無(wú)禮行為包括：聽(tīng)任手機(jī)或傳呼機(jī)隨時(shí)響起、干擾活動(dòng)進(jìn)行；到場(chǎng)赴會(huì)不守時(shí)；遲到后不是遵守規(guī)矩等待小休時(shí)才就座,卻是直闖而入；隨意出入走動(dòng)；與人交談而不靜聽(tīng)；不等表演者謝幕便蜂擁而起,奪門而出。
這些新加坡人為何有如此舉止？以筆者揣想,他們大概是認(rèn)為此等行為無(wú)可指摘。再者,本地明顯缺乏同輩人之間的壓力,致使不良行為發(fā)生時(shí),眾人渾然不覺(jué)其不妥。表演場(chǎng)所的管理者也有一份責(zé)任：對(duì)破壞規(guī)矩的行為,他們不像外國(guó)的做法那樣,嚴(yán)厲制止、不容例外,而是姑息縱容,聽(tīng)之任之。
這是否僅僅轉(zhuǎn)變中的暫時(shí)現(xiàn)象,不久即可自行解決？筆者認(rèn)為,除非盡早采取有力措施,這些情形將與日俱增,直至根深蒂固,正如國(guó)人赴婚禮等筵席遲到的陋習(xí),至今年年依舊,吃虧的卻是行為規(guī)矩的人。
假如發(fā)起另一場(chǎng)全國(guó)運(yùn)動(dòng),可有幫助？我希望永遠(yuǎn)不須依賴運(yùn)動(dòng)來(lái)推進(jìn)文明,否則必然貽笑大方,成為世人的話柄。
能否找到一個(gè)妙方,使新加坡人的行為優(yōu)雅起來(lái)？筆者認(rèn)為,外國(guó)做得到,我國(guó)也應(yīng)當(dāng)做得到,只是我們不能指望有立竿見(jiàn)影之效,還須共同努力,持之以恒。筆者在此冒昧提出如下建議,以期引起注意,并促進(jìn)討論。
一、表演活動(dòng)的組織者,不應(yīng)只是生硬刻板地宣布禁令,要人關(guān)閉手機(jī)或傳呼機(jī),而應(yīng)當(dāng)使規(guī)定更具創(chuàng)意,吁請(qǐng)人們發(fā)揮公民的責(zé)任心,體諒藝人的感受,不要干擾旁人欣賞表演。
二、一切活動(dòng),只要有事先宣布,則規(guī)定的時(shí)刻一到,立即開(kāi)始。
三、不論有何理由,遲到者只能等到小休時(shí)刻才可入場(chǎng)；為了方便其觀察場(chǎng)內(nèi)情形,可借鑒歐美的做法,在廳外安裝閉路電視。
四、表演場(chǎng)所內(nèi),旨在讓大眾更好地欣賞演出的其他規(guī)定,也應(yīng)以適當(dāng)方式在一定時(shí)間內(nèi)布告周知。
五、傳播媒介可宣傳上述措施,并揭發(fā)違規(guī)者,以協(xié)助教育觀賞藝術(shù)表演的大眾。
六、最后,教師、家長(zhǎng)必須以身作則,以便向年青人灌輸公民意識(shí),這對(duì)他們成年后的社會(huì)行為有重大影響。
藝術(shù)表演場(chǎng)所的經(jīng)營(yíng)者們,不知可有膽量嘗試實(shí)行筆者的建議,以及他們想到的其他措施,看看那些阻礙我們成為優(yōu)雅社會(huì)的陋習(xí),能否由此根除？
（作者是退休律師）
I am more sanguine then ever before that we shall see a full flowering of the arts in the new millennium, as there is now more widespread realisation that it is very much a part of civilised living.
I am especially encouraged that the younger Singaporeans are in the forefront of this cultural awakening. Their enthusiasm manifests itself in their growing support for the diverse forms of artistic endeavours, whether as spectators, participants or organisers, in the nation's surge to make the appreciation of arts and culture a marker of the spirtual life of the community. Be that as it may, much still needs to be done before the Republic can join the ranks of cultured countries.
Despite the nation's resounding economic success and the resultant enviable affluence which surpasses the living standards of many industrialised countries, such a feat is, unfortunately, not matched by a corresponding improvement in the social graces of its citizens. Many Singaporeans, including the highly-educated and socially-advantaged elites, still routinely display tardy and inconsiderate character traits which would have been frowned upon, if not outright condemned, in a more polite society.
Some of the most common forms of social misbehaviour include leaving hand phones or pagers on which disrupts the proceedings, unpunctuality, latecomers defying instructions not to go to their seats until a natural break, walking in and out of the venue indiscriminately, talking instead of listening and making a beeline for the door even before the performers take their bows.
What makes these Singaporeans behave the way they do？ My own views, admittedly somewhat speculative, are that they probably do not consider their actions as reprehensible. Furthermore, there is a marked absence of peer pressure here, which would make itself palpably felt when such anti-social conduct occurs. The venue managements are partially to blame for condoning transgressions of their house rules when they should be enforcing them strictly and without exceptions, taking a leaf from other countries.
Is this a transitonal problem which will resolve itself before long？ I believe that, unless something effective is being done expeditiously, it will become more deeply-entrenched as time goes on, just like the perennial problem of people turning up late for wedding or other dinners and penalising those who are socially disciplined.
Would another national campaign help？ I hope we would not resort to that ever, as this would certainly make us a butt of jokes in the eyes of the world！
Can a panacea be found to improve Singaporeans' social graces？ If other countries can do it, I believe we can too, but we should not expect immediate results and must persevere in our collective efforts. I venture to put forth the following suggestions aimed at stimulating greater awareness and debate thereon：
1、In place of a cold and stereotyped announcement requesting people to switch off hand phones or pagers, organisers, should come up with a more creative approach that would appeal to their civic responsibility, consideration for the artistes and the uninterrupted enjoyment of everyone.
2、All events at the venue will commence promptly at the stated time, after due prior notice to the public.
3、Latecomers will not be admitted under any circumstances until a natural break occurs. A closed-circuit television should be installed in the foyer for their benefit, as is commonly done in Europe and the United States.
4、Other good housekeeping rules that will enhance audience enjoyment should be communicated to them through appropriate means for a specified period.
5、The media can help in educating the arts supporters by publicising these new measures and exposing those who violate them.
6、Ultimately, the teachers and parents must inculcate the importance of civic consciousness into the young minds by setting an example.This will influence their social behaviour in adulthood.
Would any arts venue operator take up the challenge and give these suggestions, and others that they might think of, a try to see if these potential impediments to our becoming a cultivated society can be eradicated？
（The writer is a retired lawyer）
優(yōu)雅舉止哪里去了？
有見(jiàn)識(shí)的新加坡人,無(wú)不贊同吳作棟總理說(shuō)的這番話：“在一個(gè)有品味的社會(huì)里,人們應(yīng)當(dāng)是多才多藝、興趣廣泛,既能繪畫、寫作、表演,也能欣賞藝術(shù)展覽和的音樂(lè)會(huì)。只有那樣,才能建成一個(gè)生機(jī)勃勃的、充實(shí)而有趣的社會(huì)。我們的理想目標(biāo),是將新加坡建成一座文藝復(fù)興之城?！?BR> 筆者比以往更加樂(lè)觀,相信在新的千禧年里能看到文藝百花盛開(kāi),因?yàn)槿缃袢藗円颜J(rèn)識(shí)到文明的生活離不開(kāi)繁榮的文藝。
尤其令我振奮的,是看見(jiàn)新加坡青年站在推動(dòng)文化覺(jué)醒的前列。
他們熱情洋溢,日益積極支持各種文藝活動(dòng),或旁觀助興,或親身參與,或策劃組織,與國(guó)民同心協(xié)力促進(jìn)對(duì)藝術(shù)文化的欣賞,使之成為我們社會(huì)的精神生活之標(biāo)志。
盡管如此,要使我國(guó)躋身文明國(guó)家之列,不少方面仍有待努力。
我國(guó)的經(jīng)濟(jì)成功聲名遠(yuǎn)揚(yáng),生活之富裕也超過(guò)許多工業(yè)化國(guó)家而令人羨慕,但不幸國(guó)民的行為并未相應(yīng)地優(yōu)雅起來(lái)。許多新加坡人,包括受高深教育、地位優(yōu)越的社會(huì)精英,仍然積習(xí)難改,時(shí)時(shí)表現(xiàn)出漠視他人感受的舉止。若在文明的社會(huì)里,這些行為即使不受到直言譴責(zé),至少也是要遭人白眼的。
最為常見(jiàn)的無(wú)禮行為包括：聽(tīng)任手機(jī)或傳呼機(jī)隨時(shí)響起、干擾活動(dòng)進(jìn)行；到場(chǎng)赴會(huì)不守時(shí)；遲到后不是遵守規(guī)矩等待小休時(shí)才就座,卻是直闖而入；隨意出入走動(dòng)；與人交談而不靜聽(tīng)；不等表演者謝幕便蜂擁而起,奪門而出。
這些新加坡人為何有如此舉止？以筆者揣想,他們大概是認(rèn)為此等行為無(wú)可指摘。再者,本地明顯缺乏同輩人之間的壓力,致使不良行為發(fā)生時(shí),眾人渾然不覺(jué)其不妥。表演場(chǎng)所的管理者也有一份責(zé)任：對(duì)破壞規(guī)矩的行為,他們不像外國(guó)的做法那樣,嚴(yán)厲制止、不容例外,而是姑息縱容,聽(tīng)之任之。
這是否僅僅轉(zhuǎn)變中的暫時(shí)現(xiàn)象,不久即可自行解決？筆者認(rèn)為,除非盡早采取有力措施,這些情形將與日俱增,直至根深蒂固,正如國(guó)人赴婚禮等筵席遲到的陋習(xí),至今年年依舊,吃虧的卻是行為規(guī)矩的人。
假如發(fā)起另一場(chǎng)全國(guó)運(yùn)動(dòng),可有幫助？我希望永遠(yuǎn)不須依賴運(yùn)動(dòng)來(lái)推進(jìn)文明,否則必然貽笑大方,成為世人的話柄。
能否找到一個(gè)妙方,使新加坡人的行為優(yōu)雅起來(lái)？筆者認(rèn)為,外國(guó)做得到,我國(guó)也應(yīng)當(dāng)做得到,只是我們不能指望有立竿見(jiàn)影之效,還須共同努力,持之以恒。筆者在此冒昧提出如下建議,以期引起注意,并促進(jìn)討論。
一、表演活動(dòng)的組織者,不應(yīng)只是生硬刻板地宣布禁令,要人關(guān)閉手機(jī)或傳呼機(jī),而應(yīng)當(dāng)使規(guī)定更具創(chuàng)意,吁請(qǐng)人們發(fā)揮公民的責(zé)任心,體諒藝人的感受,不要干擾旁人欣賞表演。
二、一切活動(dòng),只要有事先宣布,則規(guī)定的時(shí)刻一到,立即開(kāi)始。
三、不論有何理由,遲到者只能等到小休時(shí)刻才可入場(chǎng)；為了方便其觀察場(chǎng)內(nèi)情形,可借鑒歐美的做法,在廳外安裝閉路電視。
四、表演場(chǎng)所內(nèi),旨在讓大眾更好地欣賞演出的其他規(guī)定,也應(yīng)以適當(dāng)方式在一定時(shí)間內(nèi)布告周知。
五、傳播媒介可宣傳上述措施,并揭發(fā)違規(guī)者,以協(xié)助教育觀賞藝術(shù)表演的大眾。
六、最后,教師、家長(zhǎng)必須以身作則,以便向年青人灌輸公民意識(shí),這對(duì)他們成年后的社會(huì)行為有重大影響。
藝術(shù)表演場(chǎng)所的經(jīng)營(yíng)者們,不知可有膽量嘗試實(shí)行筆者的建議,以及他們想到的其他措施,看看那些阻礙我們成為優(yōu)雅社會(huì)的陋習(xí),能否由此根除？
（作者是退休律師）