[maxsanic]

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/for...-standards

Disagree. I have travelled extensively as well and do not find it much different in other supposedly "world class" countries which I take Mr Sim to mean places like US, UK and western Europe.

For e.g. when I was in Amsterdam clearing security, there was a power breakdown and electronic door scans had to be abandoned for manual pat downs. I saw the same queue rushing and complaints among many Caucasian travelers as well. Another time when I was transiting at Seattle something went wrong during boarding resulting in a stuttering queue, I see some American travelers in a heated exchange with ground staff demanding they "do something". Lots of muttering and glares during the wait as well.

At the end of the day, people who have travelled for long hours are understandably looking forward to returning home or checking into a hotel room to rest, it is only natural for there to be some grouses and impatience when there is a significant delay. We are talking about ordinary people here, not a bunch of highly disciplined or jaded SAF personnel where rush to wait and wait to rush is the norm.

As long as there is no physical altercation or abusive behavior, what is so "unworld class" to vent off steam with a few grouses or glares?

As for the Japanese, their "courtesy" and "patience" in public is well-know and perhaps an aberration. However, if you have ever lived in Japan extensively or managed a group of Japanese in your work, you will also know there is a dark side of their culture and behavior that many normal tourists do not see.