A CPF Memoir

It just takes a single grammarical error to cause a communication breakdown.

I'm refering to the various articles posted by the Strait Times with regards to the Progress Package. To the educated Singaporean, it's just another reminder for the signing up of the package. But for the iliterate average Singaporean, especially the older generation, it was the cause for total havoc at my workplace.

People of all ages, young and old, all came down to apply for what they thought was an up and coming new Progress Package, which in reality, was just a simple reminder for those who have not signed up for their package. What result was the many disappointed faces for those old folks who thought there was cause for joy for money was rolling freely into their pockets.

For the young, it was obvious they weren't keen on reading the article, but instead just followed with their older relatives to claim their thought-money. A simple case of monkey see, monkey do. Only after further explanation did they realize their folly and left empty handed. There were even others who went to the extend of making further enquiries, but unhappy with the explanation of not getting money, decided to try their luck queueing.

Why then, may i ask, the reason for the further enquiries, if you are unsure of our professionalism? There were even others who blindly filled up forms and tried to collect the forms for future use. Others who wanted to queue their whole day away just for the chance that there might be a mistake, to the extend of going to the various counters time and again?

Others who really rocked, were those who blindly joined the queue, and once they reach the counter, would just sit there, and ask, "What am I queueing for?", or "I don't know. I see people queue, I queue lor." Sometimes I really have the urge to ask them whether did they check with their children regarding the information, but yet, I have to keep my mouth shut, and keep inside the box.

A minute of condolence for the people who died in the taiwan quake. I hope Tan Hui wasn't there.