You see, Singapore is a place where wealth is an individual’s main motivation and a prime indicator of a person’s status in the society. Historically, it is quite different from the past and especially the study of Confucianism. In the traditional Chinese social pecking order, men of learning, integrity and honor would be the crown of the society while the businessmen or traders alike would be at the bottom of it. Rationale being that the exploitation of profit would corrode one’s morals and character. People worships Chinese literary generals like Guan Yu or Yue Fei well notable for their valor, loyalty and uprightness. Though these qualities are still admired, they have distorted among our present time. In most case, loyalty is to oneself or for the family, not the others or the country. People would probably label as foolhardy if you are able to move up in the industry but decide to stick with an organization that pays you modestly, simply because you enjoy the job and feel attached to it. They would view it as shortcomings of an individual that is indecisive, risk adverse and lacks a goal in life.

I recalled some time ago when I just met a young lady in some social gathering. I casually mentioned to her that I served a frontline military unit during my National Service. To that, she laughed and replied - “Why do you have to put yourself though so much sweat, being under the sun while risking injury? I mean since you have to serve a compulsory 2 years in the services, might as well just be a clerk? You can be in an air-con room  and get to go home everyday.” I was flabbergasted. However, I presumed at her benefit of the doubt that she was probably ignorant about national security importance. Yet, I think her non-chalantly reply sized up the general mentality of the public and the lowering opinions of the once valued qualities such as serving the country. Who is going be motivated to stay and defend Singapore when it is under siege?