Singaporeans kena a lot of rules, right? But sometimes, people think they can chope their way through life. Then booms, they find out the hard way. Let’s look at some real-life examples of “f*ck around and find out” (FAFO) that hit close to home, and how to avoid becoming the next cautionary tale.
Current Trends in Singapore
- Singaporeans are seeing more instances of people testing the limits, often with public consequences.
For me, it was my cousin who always acted like he could do whatever he wanted with no consequences. He’d mouth off to adults, break stuff, and never take the blame. His parents were way too lenient, so he never really got punished for anything.
- These incidents range from minor annoyances to major legal battles, highlighting a spectrum of “play play” behaviours.
Aggressive patient started cussing out the nurses. Ended up getting surrounded by hospital security. LOLLL
- Recent high-profile cases, like the $3 billion money laundering scandal and the MRT peeing incident, serve as stark reminders.
Rising Challenges and Issues
- A key challenge is the disconnect between individual actions and their potential repercussions, especially with increasing surveillance.
My father kept some stagnant water at home…A few days later, NEA officers went to his home for a check. He was issued with a warning. Around one to two weeks later, he was hospitalised with dengue fever.
- Singapore’s strict laws and enforcement create a high-stakes environment where even seemingly small infractions can lead to significant penalties.
- The “kiasu” attitude can sometimes push people to take unnecessary risks, leading to FAFO moments.
Have affair with colleague. Boss found out and give you chance, tell you to stop – but you don’t listen and continue. In the end lost his job and become trainer for leadership courses.
Actionable Steps and Solutions
- First, know your boundaries. Understand Singapore’s laws and regulations. Ignorance is no excuse.
Drive fast like a reckless idiot, crash and burn alive with eyewitnesses reporting him screaming till the end.
- Second, think before you act. Consider the potential consequences of your actions, both short-term and long-term.
- Third, learn from others’ mistakes. Pay attention to news stories and social media discussions about FAFO incidents and reflect on the lessons learned.
Many many years ago, CEO of a non-profit organization bullied with legal action some individuals who allegedly witnessed him installing gold taps in his office. He became emboldened enough to sue the state media for defamation and was utterly decimated by Davinder Singh in court.
- Finally, when in doubt, err on the side of caution. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially in Singapore.
