Flag Day

Last Friday I did flag day for my company. All proceeds would go towards helping the beneficiaries under the care of our company. CSR.

The last I held a cold, tin can and had to put up with the many nonchalant, cold smiles of I've-got-no-coins and inhospitable waves of the palm was back during JC. It felt strange that now, I was the one eagle-eyed, spotting and approaching the shuffling commuters. I would then shove the can in their faces, not forgetting to don a most radiant smile and send them a warm good morning, "HELLO!"

It worked! =D

I think my success rate was about 3 in 10. Out of the 3, 1 would already be walking towards me with donations in their palms. The other 2 would take a quick look at the can (to understand whom they're being generous to) before reaching into their bags/pockets.

I strategically positioned myself at Bishan, just outside the fare gates. If you're familiar with Bishan, you'd know that there's only a limited zone after the gates before you step into the boundary of Junction 8. I was busy shuffling to and fro the area asking for donations but the security guards were on high alert - every 5 mins they'd come by and shoo me, "Please do not step inside the white area." So calculative! ^%!#$!@#

Anyway I obeyed his polite instructions and stood outside of J8 lor.

"HELLO," came a stern female voice.

I turned around. A rotund auntie in her near 60s, dressed in floral blouse and baggy pants, rested her weight comfortably on a plastic makeshift stool. Her shaggy, unkempt curly greyed hair added gloom and displease to her emotionless stare.

"Here cannot stand. Go over there," she signalled, pointing towards a small square 2 metres away.

She was selling tissues. I took a quick glance of where I was and realised I was occupying her comfort zone. I smiled in reply and stepped aside.

_

My flag day duty only lasted 1.5 hours, but I had observed 3 trends:

1)
I think people these days have become more affluent! I was really surprised that many slipped in $2 notes; if not a wholesome pinch of coins.

2)
The other trend I observed is that Singaporeans are generally quite polite! Many of those who weren't interested to donate gave me eye contact and smiled apologetically when I approached them. When I thanked the rest, "Have a nice day!" they'd say something nice back. =) And that made my day. (especially that sweet smile from one girl)

3)
Singaporeans walk really quickly. I believe they're like you and me out there - testing limits. We're guilty of setting our alarm clocks to ring at the latest possible time, such that we'd be able to catch THAT particular bus/train at that specific timing, later alighting and transferring to THAT particular bus, and turn up for work just on time. And we take pride in that we're always successful in doing the same everyday. Haha.

And they also look so busy and flustered. It definitely tells alot how fast-paced and hasty we have been living our lives.

-

Pause and smell the flowers. =)

____

Yesterday on the front page of Sunday Times, printed a familiar figure. I recognised her sullen eyes and untidy hair.

It was the same tissue auntie at Bishan. And she'd be receiving more than $800 in Govt grants as a result of the latest Budget. =)