I engaged in the flag collection efforts of the En Community Services Society this morning.  Or should I say legalised begging ?  "Begging", because ever since the NKF fiasco, people are a lot more cynical about charities - there were times when it felt like I was begging for money. 

Some people actually questioned if I was a fraud and the existence of the Society (the Society is admittedly not well known, I told them, otherwise it wouldn’t have to resort to a flag day to raise funds - it would just appear on TV with famous celebrities, or maybe even famous celebrities would fall over themselves to be associated with the Society). 

Overall, I thought it was tougher begging for funds this year compared to the last.  Thankfully, unlike last year, I started much earlier, at 8 am (the other "flaggers" competiting for donations only turned up after 9.30 am).  In addition, I stationed myself outside NTUC Marine Parade - a relatively more prosperous area compared to Chinatown where I stood last year and which, unless you live in Marine Parade itself, is only accessible by car.  (And people who drive tend to be richer).

Now, on to the specifics of today’s experience.

There was a man who took out two dollars, only to put it back into his wallet because he had not heard of the Society before.

There was an instance when I had to pretend that I didn’t understand Chinese, because a highly enthusiastic ex-Hong Kong-er (well, his accent made him sound like one) mistook me for a non-Chinese, and tried to teach me how to say "charity" in Chinese, all the while emphasising the importance of understanding the different languages spoken by Singaporeans.  (Hurrah for National Education !)

There were parents with children who avoided me like I had bird flu.  (And Singaporeans complain that the Government doesn’t look out enough for the welfare of the poor - can you expect our children - future leaders of the state - to do that, if their parents don’t teach their kids the importance of being charitable to begin with ?)

But what took the cake was this rather grumpy woman who had plastic bags in both hands.  Now, most other people in her situation would simply put down their bags, and take out their wallets / purses to make their donation.  But this woman said "look, no hands", and hurried away.

Yeah, right.  If she really had no hands, she would be a beneficiary of charity, and a lot more sympathetic.