Singapore’s complain culture makes the authorities efficient, says TikToker
Singaporeans have long been stereotyped as world-class complainers — from grumbling about MRT breakdowns to calling out poor service online.
But according to one TikToker, Singapore’s so-called “complain culture” may actually be one of the reasons things get fixed so quickly.
@kelpfishes on singapore’s complain culture and how it helps improve our lives thanks to persistent feedback from a vocal nation. also, we are pretty damn good at not complaining about things too, esp big stuff like our family burdens, life burdens, and bad fortune. so be easy on yourself and your nationmates #sgtiktok #complaining
Complaining is how people inform Government of needs: TikToker
Wei Liea, 28, was prompted to think this when his friend, Don, who was born in the Philippines, brought up the recent changes to Singapore’s public infrastructure.
He acknowledged that Singapore is likely the country with the most Complain Kings and Queens, but felt that there is a benefit to this.
“Who said complaining is a bad thing?” he asked.
Source: @kelpfishes on TikTok
He felt that a nation that complains a lot is “great”, as that’s how the people inform the Government of their needs.
Wei Liea shared a first-hand experience of witnessing a change from a ‘complaint’.
“A water-pipe burst in my resident carpark half a year ago, and my family used OneService to report it within ten minutes,” he said to MS News.
“It got fixed within a couple hours.”
The content strategist found it “incredible” that residents have appropriate channels to send their feedback, and that the Government also responds promptly to such complaints.
Wei Liea added that although Singaporeans do like to complain, most do not blow things out of proportion.
Singapore’s complain culture helps things get done
He likened complaining to another example, saying:
If a baby does not cry when he needs to eat, then he or she will suffer in silence.
In the same way, when residents complain about having to walk in the sun and rain, covered walkways were built around the estates.
This has made the authorities so efficient that in some cases, people don’t even have to complain anymore, he noted.
Wei Liea cited the construction of the Cross-Island line as a way that the Government anticipated Singaporeans’ needs.
Source: @kelpfishes on TikTok
So, complaining actually helps improve Singaporeans’ lives as it’s “persistent feedback”, he maintained.
He thus urged Singaporeans not to stop complaining.
Wei Liea further praised Singapore’s commitment to civil improvements, infrastructure, and education-related resources.
Negative perception of complain culture
Though he understands the “hostility and damage” of improper complaints, Wei Liea feels that proper feedback outweighs the bad ones.
“I think that most of the acidic and bad-faith complaints in Singaporean media come from the pressure-cooker system that we have concerning the economy and social fabric,” he added.
Image by MS News
“[Improper feedback] comes from being unable to deal with all this looming global macroeconomic instability, or Singapore’s passive and over-careful stance with regards to politics/sociopolitics.”
Nonetheless, he thinks that Singaporeans do understand the power of complaining, and do it “tolerably”.
As for complaints regarding trivial matters, Wei Liea believes it is done to “let some steam off” from Singapore’s fast-paced and high-stakes environment.
“I believe it’s understandable, it’s not as bad as what people exaggerate it to be.”
Progress possible due to complaints: Netizens
A similar conversation continued in the Complaint Singapore Facebook group, with a netizen asking why Singaporeans love to complain.
Many felt that without feedback, no changes would be made, as complaints only arise when something is wrong or has room for improvement.
Source: Facebook
One netizen had a similar sentiment, stating that progress is possible due to complaints.
Source: Facebook
Others had the opinion that we complain due to the many frustrations that come with living in Singapore.
Source: Facebook
A user felt that the Government takes feedback seriously and improvements are always evident, unlike in other countries.
Source: Complaint Singapore on Facebook
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Featured image from MS News.
