Learning for joy, not just for a job
With ongoing debate about work-life balance, we risk falling into the illusion that enjoyment can only come when we are not working or studying.
Singaporeans are well known for their appreciation of food. Whether it's waiting in long queues or travelling large distances just to get a bite, our hunger for good food never seems to diminish. But what about our hunger to learn? Do we have the same appetite for knowledge?
A few years ago, I chanced upon the book, Thank You For Being Late: An Optimist's Guide To Thriving In The Age Of Accelerations, by Thomas Friedman, a New York Times best-selling author. I also attended his talk, where he spoke about his greatest wish for his children growing up in a developed world: to survive in a competitive environment without feeling entitled and spoiled. His advice was to have a migrant mindset – a desire to learn, demonstrate resourcefulness, and overcome challenges. Essentially, he emphasised the hunger to learn. Do we possess that same hunger?
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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Almost 8 in 10 adults read at least one book in past year: NLB reading survey
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Despite the growing popularity of digital content, physical books remain the most widely read format. SINGAPORE – Reading habits in Singapore remain positive, with nine in 10 teenagers and almost eight in 10 adults reading at least one book in the past year, according to the latest National Reading Habits Study (NRHS). Conducted every three years by the National Library Board (NLB), the 2024 study also found habitual reading levels have reverted to pre-pandemic norms, with 81 per cent of teens and 89 per cent of adults reading multiple times a week. Reading materials include books, news articles and online content, and exclude textbooks and communications such as e-mails, WhatsApp and Telegram messages. NLB said that the unprecedentedly high levels of reading seen in the 2021 NRHS were likely bolstered by lifestyle changes during the pandemic. Additionally, it was conducted primarily online due to Covid-19 restrictions, unlike the usual door-to-door interviews. The difference in survey methodology is known to significantly skew the results, making direct comparisons inaccurate. Despite the growing popularity of digital content, physical books remain the most widely read format. Among teens, 83 per cent read physical books, compared with 54 per cent who read e-books and 8 per cent who listened to audiobooks. Similarly, 75 per cent of adults read physical books, while 55 per cent used e-books and 14 per cent listened to audiobooks. While almost two in three library loans are physical items, NLB said there has been a shift towards digital formats among older adults. Physical bookstores were the top choice to obtain books, with 62 per cent of teens and 54 per cent of adults purchasing books there. Libraries followed closely, especially among 58 per cent of teens, with 44 per cent borrowing books from NLB. Seniors are also increasingly turning to digital platforms, with 35 per cent of readers aged above 60 now using e-books. While the study showed strong agreement on the benefits of reading, such as broadening world views and improving critical thinking, reading for pleasure did not fare as well. Although 70 per cent in both groups said they found reading enjoyable, only 56 per cent of teens and 66 per cent of adults found it relaxing. Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee from the National Institute of Education said that this is not unexpected as time is an issue for Singaporeans, who are busy. She told The Straits Times that more can be done to encourage Singaporeans to read more regularly, especially youth. 'Investment in school libraries from kindergarten, with attractive and relevant physical collections – this helps to bring books closer to children and teens, to encourage them to find interesting books to read.' She added that secondary schools can introduce the NLB app to students on their personal learning devices and give them time to read on it during school. 'This is to allow them to become familiar with using it to source for and read books.' The 2024 study involved a total of 4,623 residents, consisting of 3,725 adults over 20 years old and 898 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19. NLB chief executive Ng Cher Pong said the findings are a testament to Singaporeans' enduring love for reading. 'Over the past 30 years, NLB has been constantly finding ways to better meet our patrons' needs and to promote the joy of reading. This includes bringing books closer to communities through mobile libraries and boosting our digital collections when the pandemic struck,' he said, adding that as NLB marks its 30th anniversary in 2025, it hopes to bring even more new reading and learning experiences to everyone. Emily Tan, 16, picked up a love for reading in secondary school. The first-year ITE student said she had to bring books to read during morning assembly and the school's reading periods, and that nurtured her love for books. 'At first, I started reading comics, but the school introduced us to Percy Jackson as part of the reading programme, and now I'm hooked on Greek mythology,' she said. Emily has recently discovered romance novels, and prefers buying books from stores like Popular as she finds that some library books are not well maintained, with foxing or missing pages. She is now on her fifth book of 2025, although pursuing a Higher Nitec in biochemical technology has left her with less time to read. 'I have a lot of work to do, so I read mostly at night. But since I share a room with my sister, I have to switch off the lights when she sleeps,' she said, adding that she continues reading in the dark, relying on whatever light filters in from outside, 'and that is challenging'. She told ST she has a list of books she plans to read, and sees herself immersing in books – even in her old age. 'Reading is more than a hobby,' she said. 'I read to unwind and escape from reality, so that I don't get too stressed by daily life.'
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Singapore woman fed up with shoppers who ‘chope supermarket queues with their baskets'
SINGAPORE: One Singaporean woman has had enough of a frustrating supermarket habit that some shoppers seem to think is perfectly acceptable: using a basket to 'chope' (reserve) a spot in the checkout line. In a post on the r/askSingapore forum, the woman shared that this behaviour has 'annoyed' her for a very long time. 'Every once in a while, you will see inconsiderate people putting their half-filled basket in the middle of the queue and going elsewhere. When it affects me, i.e., I have to queue with a chopped basket; I will always push the basket aside far away from the queue,' she wrote on Thursday (July 24). 'I use my feet too, as I'm too lazy to bend down and use my hands for these inconsiderate people.' She added that she has already got into an argument and a stare-down over her refusal to tolerate the practice. 'I can accept tables being chopped, but not queues when you are holding it up and nowhere to be seen,' she said. She also asked fellow Singaporeans what they would do if someone left a basket in the queue and walked away. 'Avoid touching the basket, just walk around it.' In the comments, one individual shared that their response would largely depend on the attitude of the shopper. They felt that if the person was polite and took the time to inform the person behind them that they were stepping away briefly, it would still be 'acceptable.' However, if the shopper walked off without a word and came across as 'entitled,' they would simply ignore the basket and move ahead in the queue. Others also chimed in to express their frustration, agreeing that the practice of 'choping' queue spots with baskets was indeed inconsiderate. One even described it as a 'selfish and backwards culture that needs to be removed.' Another commented, 'Yes, I know exactly what you mean—the world is full of little selfish gestures that chip away at whatever faith you have left in people. Avoid touching the basket, just walk around it.' Despite the support the woman received, some commenters took issue with how she handled the situation, particularly her choice to kick the baskets aside. 'I believe the basket-queue'rs are trying to maximise their use of time. While it may not be acceptable, I feel there is no personal ill feelings towards you, so kicking them may not necessarily do any good,' one commenter said. Another agreed, writing, 'Exactly! Why do you have to kick the basket? That's just uncalled for. Shift it with your hands, step over it, and step around it. So many ways and yet you chose to kick it…' In other news, an employer was slammed online for limiting her domestic helper's phone use to only two hours a day, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and asking whether she should keep the device after that time. Posting anonymously in the 'Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic helper' Facebook group on Tuesday (Jul 22), the employer wrote, 'As agreed with helper, she can only use the phone between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. at night. 'Should I keep her phone with me after 11 p.m., or should I request her to put the phone in the living room after 11 p.m.? Thanks! If I keep her phone, she will only be able to get it from me after 9 p.m. and use (it) for two hours.' Read more: Employer slammed for restricting helper's phone use to just 2 hours a day
New Paper
7 days ago
- New Paper
Resident complains as neighbour turns shoe rack into Shopee collection point
A Bedok resident has lodged a complaint after his neighbour converted a shared corridor space into a parcel collection point, allowing members of the public to pick up Shopee deliveries at all hours. These collections extend late into the night, causing repeated disturbances and raising safety concerns, said the resident. Kelvin Chen, 45, who has lived at Block 522 along Bedok North Avenue 1 for seven years, told Shin Min Daily News that he began having issues with his neighbour last year. "It used to be peaceful. But after one of their children moved out early last year, the situation began to change. They started placing more and more items outside their flat - even plants were placed on both sides of my doorway. I spoke to the lady of the house, and she eventually removed some of them," he said. Collections late into the night According to Mr Chen, the neighbour later repurposed a shoe cabinet outside their unit as a parcel collection station for Shopee deliveries, allowing members of the public to collect their packages. Photos provided by Mr Chen show a four-tier shoe rack that appears to be holding more than 20 parcels. "She mentioned it to me when she first started. As a neighbor, I agreed - as long as it didn't block access to my home or create any obstruction." However, the situation has escalated. Mr Chen said that people come by every day to pick up parcels, with collections extending late into the evening. He eventually reported the issue to the STOMP community platform. He said: "For Shopee parcels collections, it should be personally handed over, not by using a shoe rack as pigeonholes." Netizens weigh in On STOMP's website, some netizens agreed that the neighbour's actions were uncalled for: "My opinion is that this collection point owner is irresponsible to place the Shopee items outside the unit. Anyone can easily take these items and walk away." However, others suggested that the resident's reactions were exaggerated: "Is it really true that collection of parcels creates noise disturbance? Singaporeans complain too much about mundane matters that fall out of line." Others empathised with Mr Chen, acknowledging that the disturbance stems from the daily presence of strangers at his doorstep. Shopee: Temporarily paused operations at collection point In response to STOMP's queries, a Shopee spokesperson said on July 11: "We value the feedback and have temporarily paused operations at the collection point while we review the current set-up. "We are actively engaging the operator to explore improvements aligned with Shopee's guidelines, ensuring that parcel collections are managed safely and with due consideration for neighbouring residents. "Shopee remains committed to upholding responsible practices across all residential collection points." Town council: Items blocking corridor have been removed Addressing the issue of corridor obstructions, the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council confirmed that they have spoken to the resident involved. "The items blocking the corridor have been cleared," said a spokesman, adding that the town council continues to educate residents and conducts regular inspections to maintain cleanliness in common areas and prevent the buildup of clutter.
