Can I Change?

Can I Really Change???

In Singapore there is a common understanding to not be bothered with things or problems that does not involve you, or else you might get into unnecessary trouble. That being said, I tend to not be bothered concern to the happenings in my surroundings. Over time it has lead me to become quite uncourteous in public places.

So as a small attempt to change that habit of not being bothered about what others are doing, I decided to try to do something to at least become more courteous or at least give back to society. So for a start, whenever I see a ofo bike that has been thrown off balance, I would make an effort to pick them up.

The Process

Well that is what I told myself  for the first two days, however I have not been able to pull myself to actually take the extra step to pick up a ofo that has been thrown off balance. Reason being? I was afraid of others seeing me doing something which can come off as quite odd. I guess that I was afraid of being judge by others for doing/ being seen doing a "dirty" job. on the third day, I finally pulled out my courage to put 1 ofo bike back up.

I think what was really hard was not letting people see me do it, or more specifically, not let any soul get the chance to judge me even for the slightest bit.

Despite all the pressure I feel, I still pursued on this goal that I have set myself to do. This time, I will try not to let people around affect me and try my best to not get myself get subjected to peer pressure. On the fourth day, I came across an ofo bike the was off-balanced, just beside the main road! With all the cars buzzing around along with pedestrians, thou not crowded, I was a little bit hesitant on picking up the bike, okay maybe not a little bit BUT VERY HESITANT. However, with a little encouragement from my previous success, remembering and telling myself that "it's just gonna take a minute, maybe less" and trying to ease of the pressure that I have, for the most part, placed on myself.

After contemplating for about 5 minutes, finally I pick up the bike hastily and left the scene, as if I had just commit a crime. When I was home, I thought what I did with the ofo bike and deep down, I felt a little proud of myself for doing something that in a way, contributed to society.

Conclusion

To be honest I did not manage to continue as I was too afraid and I just could not be bothered. If there is one thing that I have reflected is that trying to strike a change is hard, especially when we live in a country where people's stares mean something and not to mention the fear of being judge as well. Perhaps as Singaporeans we should be more open to the different job type for the different paying jobs. Not only that but also have a heart to care for others. Perhaps to reignite the "Kampung Spirit" that is evidently missing in the modern age of Singapore. In a way, it is our responsibility to be citizens that are courteous to others, may it be from the simplest things like clearing the plates before we leave, to the not so easy picking up of ofo bikes.