Straits Times
STForum
Feb 14, 2009
My point
Children in airports
'While reckless behaviour should not be condoned, one needs to accept child-like behaviour in a proper perspective.'
MR RAJ SWAROOP S.: 'In Wednesday's letter, 'Changi Airport is not a children's park', Mr Lin Qen Wen seems to have forgotten that he was in a public place. Airports and railway stations will be noisy and bustling with activity. If one wants peace and quiet, stay at home. Children will be children. While they should behave, do not expect them to turn into adults the moment they are in an airport. I fully agree that proper public behaviour is vital, but should we do it so that foreign travellers will get the 'right impression' of Singapore? Children, be they local or foreign, naturally take to play when they are in large, open spaces. Furthermore, people pushing trolleys should be equally mindful. Certain places have their own character. In an airport, one sees various nationalities and a variety of emotions ranging from happiness and expectation to hope and sadness. Count a child's joy among them too. While reckless behaviour should not be condoned, one needs to accept child-like behaviour in a proper perspective.'
