HAVING read Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's comments on a gracious Singapore, I would like to say that Singapore can be a gracious society, but it will take time and effective education and campaigns.

I believe that Singapore, as a society, is not without grace but that individuals have forgotten how to be gracious.
Let me explain. Singaporeans, as a whole, are too busy with their work and they are too busy chasing the five Cs to even feel the need to be gracious.

However, I have nothing against chasing the five Cs as many people around the world are doing it too.

Second, Singapore is moving too fast.
Many people do not have the time to even relax and smell the roses. I once greeted a colleague "Good morning",
and the reply I got was: "What's so good about the morning!"

What I can deduce is that many people have forgotten how to be gracious.

Mr Ace Kindred Cheong