Comments on: Why Singapore’s “Excuse Me” Doesn’t Mean “Sorry”

By: Cherie

Cherie — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:41:19 +0000

im local and i have to agree with most of your entries esp this.

one thing that i’d like to add on is, they dont really say “excuse me” these days.
the new in word is “sorry”
which they dont mean obviously.

its like “sorry” then you get some moron pushing past you.

god now they dont even use the proper terms.

By: Francois Le Coguiec

Francois Le Coguiec — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:09:15 +0000

About your “The Good And The Bad” post above.
May I ask… are you a native English speaker?
Please note that there is an important difference between “excuse me” and “sorry”. It is very obviously incorrect English to use “sorry” when you are in fact asking people to make way. (as you seem to do in your example).
This mistake is indeed one of the easiest way to spot non native English speakers.
You only say “sorry” for things you have already done. If you are calling people’s attention for them to make way, you really have nothing to be sorry about. The correct and only thing to say is “Excuse me”. (You can also say “excuse me please” or some variations…). But you should definitely not say “sorry”: This would immediately flag you as having an imperfect command of English.
You would say “sorry” after the fact, for having knocked something or someone down, or other actions you need to apologise for.
So, the two ladies happily blocking your way were right, and you were a little bit too quick in dismissing them.

(Note that my point is specific about the language. I agree with many of your other points)

By: pity-the-foo'

pity-the-foo' — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:49 +0000

yeah…thats why i avoid saying it at all. People should be aware of whats happening around them. So when the train stops, look behind you, get to the side to let ppl pass.

Pisses me off when they dont…why the fuck should I say excuse me politely? You’re the fucking cow blocking half the walkway. Either you get out of my way or get ready for a well aimed stomp on your foot.

By: Binkie

Binkie — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:03:01 +0000

When parents have bad manners, their kids won’t have any good manners at all. It is upbringing. I was at a supermarket queuing to pay for my purchases. Since the queue was very long, we stood in the pathway between the cashier and the food shelves. 2 kids along with their mother, just waltzed right into me and yelled “EXCUSE ME!”. I was stunned! How rude! So, I told the kid who was in front “Please would be nice, thank you!” He grunted at me and pushed his way through. Singapore parents – please remember that if your kids have rotten manners, it is your fault.

By: Shovel

Shovel — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:38:12 +0000

Amen, AA. I hear your pain, and sometimes even feel it with a smack to the elbow from someone’s laptop bag as they try to force their way past me on the MRT.
Then again, maybe that’s because i have my head-phones in: how on EARTH am i expected to hear the “’scuss me”???

By: admin

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:33:12 +0000

well, then I wonder at what point people “stopped” working, again. If you look at the escalators today… no chance

By: Holly

Holly — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:58:44 +0000

I remember when they introduced standing on one side of the escalator. With typical Singaporean efficiency there was a big leafletting campaign and they videoed people on the escalator to ensure they stood on the correct side. And it worked, with a few exceptions. Can you imagine what it was like before!

By: ryan

ryan — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:23:49 +0000

I usually wait till the MRT door opens b4 trying to get my way out. But sometimes saying “excuse me” didn’t help! Those ppl standing right in front of the door remain ignorant of what’s happening ard them.

Enjoyed ur post once again! I’m much into the Singaporean culture/behavior, particularly whn it comes to the MRTs. It’s quite entertaining frm 3rd person’s pov but rather frustrating frm the 1st. Also recently wrote a post on how some Singaporeans ninja their way in MRTs.

Hope to hear more stories from you. :)