Seth Sara

Just the other day, I read a letter in the forum of The ST where a schoolboy wrote in to speak about his experiences on a particular flag day, holding the flag tin.

Flashback to many (ok, a few) years ago, I used to participate in those Flag days too. From my primary school days as a Red Cross Cadet to my secondary days in NPCC, I would participate in ALL the flag days. It was tiring, yet so fun!

I remember that I used to ‘target’ couples. Heh! The guy will, in a bid to show off his generosity to his girlfriend, give a neat donation sum. Then of course, there are those ugly Singaporeans like those mentioned in the forum article. Those who gave ten cents, and demanded for stickers ‘for the whole family’. Or those who swerved like a snake when you walk near them. It’s amazing how they will make a big detour just to avoid me. Hee. How I loved to chase after them and watch them run!! And know whom I hate most? Those who reach into their pockets and say, “Sorry, no change.” Hey! Hello!! I’m asking for a donation! Not any change in your pockets! No change? Then give me a note la! It’s not a donation if it doesn’t pull at your heartstrings!

Then again, those were years ago. In recent years, the increase in organizations holding flag days is astonishing! We’ve got the universities, the dunno-what organizations (those I’ve never heard of), the dunno-what religious organizations, the hospices and many many others. Oh well. Since the good old NKF is in shame, the others are coming out to claim the unclaimed donations. It is no wonder that we are now a nation of snakes… hmmm.

Few weeks back, I was promoting beauty products at a pushcart stall. While distributing flyers, I was again reminded of the snake syndrome. As well as a new discovery, the Giraffe syndrome – those that do not want to come near yet are curious to find out. They strained their necks so long I fear they’ll leave their heads behind as their bodies walked past…

Sigh… quoting the guy in the papers… “I feel like a leper.”