Talk to The Hand

Most recently, I have been working at fund raising for the Singapore Cancer Society so having been to Road Shows and generally on the streets asking for kind hearted people to donate to this charity.

I was alarmed to such reactions from people in Singapore. I could not comprehend this behaviour. How hard is it telling someone that you are not interested WITH a smile?

These are some examples that I have came across. (Now don't laugh because I know some of you do such a thing!)

Example Number 1:

Me: Hello, Have you heard of Singapore Cancer Society?

Reaction: Hand waving in my face.

Conclusion: WTF? I don't bite! And I assume that they are HUGE Hello Kitty fans! :) You know why? Because Hello Kitty has no mouth and can't speak. :) Waving a hand in my face = Not able to speak ;)

Example Number 2:

Me: Hello, Good Evening, helping Singapore Cancer Society?

Reaction: Walks pass me staring straight ahead.

Conclusion: I stand at 1.8m tall. Easily sees the head of 1/2 the Singaporeans. Tell me how can I be THAT transparent?

Example Number 3 (SUPER classic):

Me: Hello, Good Afternoon, Have you heard of SIngapore Cancer Society?

Reaction: Walks around me with head bending down and keep shaking their head!!

Conclusion: I am there big and tall but yet, bending your head down like an Ostrich? Hmmm.. that don't quite add up.

You see, over the past few weeks working on the streets with the Team has exposed me even more to the people in Singapore. :) I'm not saying that I'm a snoob. But at least I have the basic manners/courtesy to tell the other party that I am not interested and always say Thank You.

Sarcastic remark or any form of verbal abuse is not appreciated (Trust me, everyone out there is doing a job and is a child of a person. He or She deserves the respect of every human being on Planet Earth!)

So dear readers, please do be a little kinder to anyone who has to brave the hot sun/wet weather and crap manners people they have to face everyday on the street. They deserve to be treated like a person NOT some transparent ornament on the street.

I am still hoping that one day, Singaporeans will learn to be charitable. Forget about TV performances, its everyday donations to the less fortunate that's making an impact to their lifes!!

I leave you with this: It's not what you can or cannot But It's what you want or not.