Gracious society

My movement for today:

Alexandra Hospital - CMPB - Orchard - POSB - Library near home

What bothered me the most was the service at the CMPB. I had to go there to take my 'mug shot', to be used for my civil servant card, and the ISSAC card later this month. I have requested it because I didn't want the horrendous one taken during JC to be used. Was told to go in the afternoon and I dutifully arrived at around 1230hr

The photographer uncle in his 30s (Was he Simon? or Raymond?) didn't leave a good impression

With him chatting away while making me wait, with his comment without an apology that he can't take my photo because the system was down, with his single-liner 'tilt your head up' while taking my shot, and with him taking only 1 shot without bothering if I'm happy with it (he wasn't even at the camera, just a click of the mouse), with such attitude when there wasn't anyone in the line, I wonder how he'll behave under stress when legions of young men queue for their pictures taken

I wonder how much he earns. Must we really pay more for better service? The service at Alexandra, POSB, and even the coporals at the guardhouse was way better than him. Is it because CMPB isn't privatised? That because people like me, and other pre-enlistees won't be paying for his service that we don't deserve some professionalism from him. How can we encourage boys to look up to NS as a positive challenge when the first impression is a horrible one. We have a long way to go in becoming a 'Gracious Society'