TODAY 15 May 2009
DURING A ROW, BUT NOT DURING SEX
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SINGAPOREANS will take mobile phone calls almost anywhere, no matter
how inappropriate or dicey the situation - such as when driving.
But at least, most stop short of agreeing it’s okay to propose over
the phone, unlike their counterparts in China or India, revealed a
Microsoft Windows Mobile poll.
Singaporean respondents would answer their phones in the middle of a
wedding (35.2 per cent), a funeral (18.7 per cent), at places of
worship (22 per cent), while driving (48.4 per cent), or even in the
midst of a quarrel (16.5 per cent).
Most have taken calls during meals with others (93.4 per cent), while
nearly two-thirds of some 100 respondents polled last month have
yakked on the phone while in the loo.
Ms Chiam Ru Lin, 30, an auditor who carries her phone “wherever I
go” because she feels “handicapped” without it, told Today:
“Singaporeans are technology-driven, whether it’s for work or
their personal lives.”
Still, there are some occasions when they would let their mobiles
ring off the hook: The heat of passion being one of them (93 per
cent). “Singaporeans have good bedside manners,” concluded the
report’s authors.
And when it comes to marriage proposals, they would never use the
phone to pop the “would you marry me” question. Almost nine in 10
feel it is unacceptable behaviour.
“The right guy would make the effort to make it special for me. It
shouldn’t be like ordering take-out,” said Ms Zhou Shimei, 28, a
corporate communications executive.
By contrast, some 50 per cent of those surveyed in China and India
thought it was okay to propose on the phone.
Of course, there are those who would not pick up a call at a funeral
or a film screening.
Ms Wee Mei Jin, 29, a corporate communications manager, said: “Some
Singaporeans have no idea of what constitutes graciousness, and
probably have no sense of respect for the environment they are in.”
Other findings
47.3% have flirted with someone other than their spouses or partners
on the phone
45.1% have taken calls during business meetings
12.1% have broken up with their partners using SMS/MMS/IM
10% have shot a voyeuristic picture/video with their phones
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