Sep 28, 2010
A country par excellence
WE VIVIDLY remember the time when my wife and I lived in Singapore between 1990 and 1998. There were many government initiatives, such as the annual courtesy campaign to encourage Singaporeans to be more courteous and friendly.
During our recent visit here this month, we noticed a big change.
More important than the impressive physical, world-class developments was the high quality of service: from the taxi drivers, the hawkers and the chain cafe outlets, to the fine dining restaurants and hotels.
My wife and I travel widely and, in our view, the service industry in Singapore has truly evolved into world-class status; certainly the best in South-east Asia today.
The simple smile, the welcome greetings, the friendly nature and especially the product knowledge of those who served us were the highlights of our recent visit.
One experience in particular was our stay at the Shangri-La Hotel. The duty manager and staff, after learning we were here for medical reasons, went out of their way to extend us the best care and service.
The doctors and staff at Gleneagles Hospital could not have been better. My wife received the best medical treatment yet, and we truly enjoyed the genuine care from the nicest and friendliest medical professionals around.
Walking along North Bridge Road, Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar, fellow pedestrians were kind and helpful when we asked for directions.
Perhaps the only aspect that remained the same was the car-sickness-inducing driving by cabbies who still drove like they were racing to the finish line through a complicated slalom course.
Be that as it may, Singapore was a welcome change. Our compliments to Singaporeans who have made our stay wonderful and memorable. We shall certainly be back.
Medardo Cadiz
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_583793.html
A country par excellence
WE VIVIDLY remember the time when my wife and I lived in Singapore between 1990 and 1998. There were many government initiatives, such as the annual courtesy campaign to encourage Singaporeans to be more courteous and friendly.
During our recent visit here this month, we noticed a big change.
More important than the impressive physical, world-class developments was the high quality of service: from the taxi drivers, the hawkers and the chain cafe outlets, to the fine dining restaurants and hotels.
My wife and I travel widely and, in our view, the service industry in Singapore has truly evolved into world-class status; certainly the best in South-east Asia today.
The simple smile, the welcome greetings, the friendly nature and especially the product knowledge of those who served us were the highlights of our recent visit.
One experience in particular was our stay at the Shangri-La Hotel. The duty manager and staff, after learning we were here for medical reasons, went out of their way to extend us the best care and service.
The doctors and staff at Gleneagles Hospital could not have been better. My wife received the best medical treatment yet, and we truly enjoyed the genuine care from the nicest and friendliest medical professionals around.
Walking along North Bridge Road, Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar, fellow pedestrians were kind and helpful when we asked for directions.
Perhaps the only aspect that remained the same was the car-sickness-inducing driving by cabbies who still drove like they were racing to the finish line through a complicated slalom course.
Be that as it may, Singapore was a welcome change. Our compliments to Singaporeans who have made our stay wonderful and memorable. We shall certainly be back.
Medardo Cadiz
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_583793.html
