Here are some of the things that I find curious about Singapore. Its not a definite list and I will be updating it as I learn anything new.
Queueing for MRT (Mass Rapid Transit, underground train service)
People seem able to form an almost orderly queue while waiting for the next train. The trouble is, once the train is here and the doors open, the queue falls apart and people just start rushing in. Even if I’m the first person in the queue and don’t immediately start moving as soon as the doors are open, I’m being overtaken by people behind me. My favourite is when this happens during rush hour and there’s only room for several people to board the train, if you blink, you might be left standing on the platform waiting for the next train. Why bother to queue then at all?
Signing paperwork
Whether you’re signing a service contract, a hospital bill or a bank form, you’re expected to sign things without thinking and immediately. Usually it goes like this - the person lays the form on the table and points at the signature field with their finger (thereby completely covering the text you’re signing under too!). This is your moment to shine, you have about a second to put your signature down, or you risk getting a look containing a mixture of irritation and confusion. Explaining that you want to read what you’re signing only makes the situation worse, often resulting in a dismissive handwave and the clerk stropping off to partake in another activity, leaving you be. Is this a case of people not caring what they sign (not uncommon everywhere in the world) and being angry when someone else does, or does irritation arise because I don’t do as they say, because I question their authority or something else all together?