I like these Forum writers

The Canton Pixie is definitely one cynic who LOVES such posts. A result of having worked for the gahment for so long and meeting too many bozos with too much BS.

Read this!

And this! (emphasis mine)

Nov 30, 2006
Why Hong Kong does better than S'pore? Real market forces are at work
Of late, we have read many letters from readers praising and glamourising Hong Kong. They are correct but some of the comparisons may be exaggerated.
No doubt, Hong Kong's hospitality and retail service are better. Their streets (eg. compare their Nathan Road with our Orchard Road) are cleaner. Their public transport system is undeniably more user-friendly and efficient. They are naturally humane in treating their elderly and disabled.
This is a far cry from the days when the typical remark from a Hong Kong shopowner is, 'If you don't buy, don't touch'.
Why the rapid change? Did the Hong Kong government constantly exhort people to behave? Do they have more expensive campaigns? Is it because they impose heavier fines on wrong-doers?
None of the above, I think. The reason why this has happened is the Hong Kong people's strong desire to survive. And I am not talking about individuals but the big establishments that provide services, essential or otherwise. Competition and market forces weed out the uncertain, unceremonious and uncompromising.
The people are the ultimate judge, not some regulators or governing authorities. The people speak up openly and unreservedly when they think they are being taken advantage of.
Service providers have to fend for themselves and they must constantly be on their toes if they want to survive. It is wonderful to see real market forces at work.
Here in Singapore, almost everything is decided for us. Statements like, 'For your convenience, we have to remove this bus service' or 'In order to serve you better, we have to increase the fee' have become so common that we are already numbed as far as the reaction is concerned.
Can we blame the population at large for their apathetic and languid attitude towards other people, current affairs and life?
Daniel Chan Wai Piew