Singapore II

Right after I closed my post. Some incident happened which make me change my mind but to disclose the unpleasant side of my country.

I took a coach back to town from airport. It was late night and i'm truly tired and sleepy.

Right I stepped down from the coach, situation bit havoc since there are a pool of taxi drivers offering their service unsystematically, one of the taxi driver approached me persistently, however due to the official taxi counter was closed, I got no choice but take up his offer with little bargain, still got ripped as usual but at a lower rate. I felt a little irony, right 2 hours ago I was just rendered with 1st class service, irony, unfair and disappointed with the service rendered here. I’m aware but got no choice.

Right we get into taxi, the driver start winding down the window and smoke. I resisted and request the air-conditioning, well according to him it was out of order. Imagine this. The hot plus dusty air keep blowing on my face, well, what can i say? As he drove closer to my house, he starts complaining its farther than he thought. He mumbling and asking for additional fare. Well, I ignore that of course since I already paid much more than what it supposed to be. In turns he made much excuses and refused to give the receipt. Sigh. I got no choice and i ain't that silly to go into arguement with a malay man at the hour of 2am. To summarize it, the drivers are greedy, set their own rules, rude, lies, unprofessional.

I have got my very own car umpteen years ago since i experienced such treatments. Though this country isn’t a developed one but it has been out of the picture of third world. I’m upset, sad and really speechless with such attitudes. Perhaps Singapore has many other weaknesses which I couldn’t see as a tourist, but the government is smart enough to organize the taxi system well since they are the first level of contact with tourists.

I couldn’t blame the taxi driver alone but the whole government, this is still a poor country, high cost of living, everyone is struggling for a better living. But this experience is truly upsetting.