a Journey

Helpied out with an FYP survey in school this week (ended today) which wanted to learn more about Singaporeans' general attitudes towards local politics. It was just a litmus test of sorts to hear what the everyday person living in sunny Singapura had to say. And this are what some people said:

Me: "Sir, all I want is your honest opinion. There is no right or wrong answer."
Person: "There are no suitable candidates in the household"

Me:"Mam, all your answers will be kept private and confidential."
P: "Is there such a thing???"

Me: "Mam, all we're looking for are honest opinons. We're interested in your opinions"
P: "I am not educated. Just because I can speak English doesn't mean I can speak well."
M: "It really makes no difference, your opinons still matter to us."
P: "Why you don't understand?! I already say I don't know anything. Singapore is a very nice country, okie?"

halfway through the survey...
P: "My mother is giving me the black face now. She doesn't want me to answer your questions."
when probed...
the Mother: "My husband is working in the civil service, I don't want to answer this sort of questions."

M: "Mam, don't you want your voice to be heard?"
P: "Tell the relevant authorities that we have a right not to be heard."

...

First of all: This is an academic survey. YOUR private and NON-private numbers were not picked from a telephone list. NO. It was churned out by a COMPUTER who doesn't care if your household is terrorist or not. We won't know anyway. We don't know who you are. That's why we ask for your race, your housing, your income. Not because we want to make the ISA come after you. (You think they have so much time?!) It's for demographic purposes. To categorize ppl to help MAKE SENSE of the data.

Secondly: Even if you had blasphemous political views on what a govt should or should not be:: the survey is 20-odd minutes long. We have to do it for a week. Which part of us student interviewers want to bother to note the record no, of your ONE survey out of the THOUSANDS of numbers we HAVE to call?!

Thirdly: You have a chance to let your voice be heard. It's something you can do for yourself. Instead of shying away. Why don't you be proactive? This is only an academic survey. But hey. Do something for yourself!