Singapore isn’t as crowded as some other places in Asia, like Hong Kong, but its population density at 16,392 persons per sq. mi. is definitely higher than the U.S. at 31 persons per sq. mi*. So you’d think that people here would be more mindful of personal space and try not to take up more than their share and not to invade others’. Not so.

Example #1

We were at IKEA last weekend and the place was absolutely heaving. It was even more crowded than usual because renovations are in progress. As we tried to make our way through the corridor that led from the entrance to the first display area, a fat-a** woman and her friends blocked the way with their cart while they stood chatting. There was only enough room for one person at a time to squeeze past them. Not being in the best of moods, when I got to them, I pushed their cart aside and said clearly and loudly, “EXCUSE ME!” Fat A**’s response?

“Beeech.”

Thank you. That’s the way I like it.

Example #2

Stephen, my mother-in-law, and I were hanging out at Singapore Changi Airport’s new Terminal 3 (which is gorgeous by the way). We were wandering around when I called out to Stephen to come over and check out the soft serve ice cream at one of the shops. As Stephen turned to look, a boy about 10 years old pushing an overloaded luggage trolley came along. As I was shouting “STOP! STOP!” and trying to pull Stephen out of the way, the dimwit kid ran into Stephen!

Instead of apologizing to us, his mother tried to blame us for not getting out of the way. HELLO!??!! We’re the victims and you’re blaming US?!

Who lets a 10-year-old push a trolley piled so high that he can’t see where he’s going? And what kind of moron kid can’t understand someone shouting “STOP!!”???

We were standing at the front of the shop and not in the middle of an open area blocking people. And it wasn’t as if Stephen was running around getting in people’s way as he is sometimes apt to do.

Fortunately, Stephen wasn’t hurt badly although he limped along for a little while. He was more scared than anything else.

And to think I’m driving in Singapore now. Somehow I suspect the drivers won’t be much better. Stay tuned for upcoming incidents of road rage.

*Actually, according to Wikipedia, Hong Kong has a population density of 16,470 persons per sq. mi which isn’t much higher than Singapore’s. And this list of countries by population density has Singapore higher than Hong Kong!