January 12, 2024

The frequent act of complaining has been characterised as a defining trait of Singaporeans, from moaning about the incessant heat and humidity, to grumbling about rising inflation or increasing the Goods and Services Tax (GST). While complaining is commonly understood to be a negative way of speaking, there might be another side to complaining that could actually benefit people.

Mr Jonathan Sim (NUS Teaching Academy & NUS Philosophy) explores the various implications of complaining in ‘Commentary: Is Singapore’s complaint culture helping us or hurting us?’ (Channel NewsAsia, January 2024). Mr Sim argues that the outcomes of complaining, whether positive or negative, stem from how the complaining is intended to be used. He recommends that instead of abstaining from complaining altogether, we ought to adopt a more introspective approach to complaining, aiming to share our complaints in a productive manner.

Mr Sim demonstrates how complaining has been a tool for bringing people together, galvanising them through their shared experiences, and improving their moods. He also remarks on how complaints have been used constructively in many situations, highlighting their use in pointing out issues and fuelling progressive changes. Nevertheless, he cautions against complaining too much, as the practice easily becomes a counter-productive habit.

Read the article here: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/singapore-complaint-culture-habit-happiness-social-media-4026816