Trolley and a gracious society

Going to a supermarket is definitely a very common activity for almost all individuals and families. As we shop and sourcing for items, we could be using either a basket or trolley. While all these are free for customers to use it, a S$1 coin is needed to check out a trolley (refundable).



However, we still come across trolleys around neighbourhood though the usage is only within the supermarket. A handful of customers just dun bother enough to push it home, reason - too heavy to carry home. Worst still, they will "discard" the trolleys nearby and expecting the supermarket staff to scout around and push it back for them. What is S$1 coin to them ? Nothing. They may even claim that "I am creating some employment, u know". Of course, the main issue here is to what extent do we care for other users. This would be translated into efforts in building a caring and gracious society.

I was shopping at Liang Court recently and there is a supermarket too. While I was trying to find a dollar coin for the trolley, i was a bit surprised that I could use it without one. The supermarket is called MEIDI-YA Supermarket. It provides more options for customers who are sourcing for Japanese products and ingredients and of course serving more Japanese either living or working locally.

Though it is just a trolley, the contrast experience says a lot about our people and society. I doubt we are getting any closer to living in a more gracious community. We are more likely to move if cane method is applied in correcting some of our inappropriate behaviour ie a fine society. Parents are still setting bad examples subconsciously and not educating our next generation explicitly how to behave socially.

I dun think we will ever reach a gracious society. We are just trying to make it look good but not real good.