LOCKS THE VENDETTIST

We can never reach a gracious society.

When I read a story written by a local blogger, I couldn't help but think that we can never reach a gracious society (like the author saying we are far from it is unrealistic). The story's about seeing adults letting their kids pee in public.

One story said a woman had her son pee into a plastic bag and left it under the table at an outdoor fast-food restaurant. The mother proceeded to have her meal without washing her hands or disposing of the bag. I agree that it was really uncouth and uncivilised.

The 2nd story was about a grandfather letting his grand-daughter squat down and pee near a bus-stop. I must agree that that act is uncalled for as well.

Why do I say we can never reach a gracious society? Cos no matter what happens, there are uncivilised and uneducated parents/adults out there. No matter if it is 20/30/50/100/more years later, there will always be "Ah bengs", "Lo-Muas", "Ah lians", "Ah Huays" who grow up as uncouth individual.

I think the author of the story probably grew up in a middle-income/well-to-do/civilised environment where she's surrounded by educated and civilised people. Take a look around or walk on the uncivilised side of where you live. You see uncles/aunties who grew up without being educated (or rather never had a chance). People who doesn't even know how to read and write. People who swear in expletives in every sentence that comes out of their mouth. People who learn to survive on their own without the "Civilised" way cos the "uncouth" way protects them. These are people around us : the hawkers, the taxi-drivers, the coffee-stall uncle, the fish monger, the vege-seller, etc.......

These people will forever be around cos there will always be uncouth people who remain that way and bring their kids up that way. Then, there are those who'd rather have a broken family and leave their kids to live/survive on their own. And the easiest way out for them is through bad influence. It protects them and feeds their stomach. It is a cycle that can never be changed.

Today, even if you decide to educate everyone in Singapore and decide what is right/wrong to do, do you think everyone will want to change to become more civilised? I don't think any nation/country in this world can ever become a gracious society cos there will always be "ungracious" people around, no matter what race or religion.