Are Singaporeans in a wealth-driven society missing out on heaps of stuff that make life worth living?

Experts comment on why recent survey ranking Singapore the most emotionless society could be flawed.

A Gallup Poll cited by Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Singapore as the most emotionless after 36% responded affirmatively to questions aimed at gauging expressiveness.

The US-based pollster conducted the survey in over 140 countries and asked questions such as: ‘Did you smile laugh a lot yesterday?’; ‘Felt respected or well-rested?; and ‘Did you experience the following feelings a lot during the day yesterday? (Enjoyment, physical pain, worry, sadness, stress, anger)’.

Philippines, El Salvador and Bahrain have topped the list of the most emotional society.

Commenting to the survey findings, Jon Clifton, a Gallup partner in Washington was quoted by Bloomberg Businessweek as saying: “If you measure Singapore by the traditional indicators, they look like one of the best-run countries in the world. But if you look at everything that makes life worth living, they’re not doing so well.” 

Singapore Business Review sought experts' view.

Jörg Dietzel,  Founder/CEO, Jorg Dietzel Brand Consultants

I believe this study is fundamentally flawed. It’s mistake lies in the fact that it’s not based on observation but on answers to questions asked in a survey. And in most Asian cultures (maybe in Singapore a bit more than in others) the perception most people want to give is of being calm and collected.

But Singaporeans emotionless? I don’t think so.

A quick study of online forums will reveal that Singaporeans can indeed be emotional when it comes to issues close to their heart, like SMRT breakdowns, issues of foreign talent or rising costs of living. They readily express their anger and worry, sometimes even too much or in unreflected ways which may backfire in their workplace.

My students at the SMU Business School impress me week after week with their enthusiasm and expression, in the way they discuss topics in class and also in the way they present their individual- and group projects. If anything, I have heard visitors to my classes mention that they see too much emotion and were sometimes missing a bit of content.

So it comes back to methodology: A simple online search, some face-to-face interviews or a simple ride in a Singapore taxi would have shown the researchers that Singaporeans are indeed emotional and expressive. They have string feelings, positive and negative, and are not shy to express them.

And what makes a life worth living? Just being emotional and expressive in itself may not be enough, maybe not even top the list. A good infrastructure, a safe, clean and green environment, a healthy economy that creates wealth for everybody, strong relationships with family and friends as well as personal freedoms are all indicators for a “happy life”. Brand Singapore may not score a 10 on all these parameters, but overall it’s doing pretty well.

Pang Meng Hock, Managing Director,  Apex Headhunters, Singapore 

Singaporeans – most emotionless?

Personally I don’t see Singaporeans as most emotionless people. I have studied, worked and lived in US and Japan, and in my business as a headhunter for more than twenty years I have met and continue to meet people from many parts of the world, I find Singaporeans are just as excited and expressive people as anybody else!

I attend and serve in a church, I find Singaporeans have all the emotions just like people everywhere. One Sunday each month for an hour the church allows anyone to go up to the pulpit to express himself or herself. People are quick to sprint up to share about their joy or fear, happiness or sadness, success or failure, of life. During Sunday school it’s always a lively discussion with moments of laughter and seriousness. I don’t see any lack of emotions among Singaporeans.

I exercise every morning. I always see Singaporean senior citizens chatting so excitedly among themselves during resting time.

To me, Singaporeans are full of emotions and the most exciting people in the world!