Are Singaporeans Very Giving?

I made a quick trip to Cotton On last night because I was in desperate need for new cotton shorties. Yea, you can call that an "emergency wardrobe stock-up" because I realised I only brought 1 pair of cute shorts to the hostel. Or maybe it was just a personal excuse I gave myself to give the comforting thought that I am spending money for a self-proclaimed "good cause".

So as usual, after getting my quick fix of trying and picking out 2 pair of lovelies, I made way to the counter, hoping for a quick Nets transaction so that I can jolly well make my way back to Ulu Pandan. After all it was getting late and I had to mug. What else right?

So if you have been to Cotton On in Singapore before, you will realise that the payment counters have these little boxes where they sell assorted accesories at dirt cheap (ok, I mean, real affordable and very bohemian!) price. I jingled a bunch of bangles which looks great! and added it to the cart of 2 shorts. Along the counter, there were also piles of silver tote bags (those recyclable looking ones).

 I know, pretty right? loves:)

And so I was now ready to pay.

The lady at the cashier asked me:

"Would you like to make a small donation? For just $2 you get this bag" *points at the silver tote*

I looked at the silver tote, thought for 2 second and replied with a hurried "No thank you".

She smiled weakly and finished off the transaction.

I stepped out of the store and caught the train back and on the way back, I thought to myself. Why didn't I donate? I mean, it was $2 only and I GET something back in return. Isn't that like a win-win situation?

I've been to Cotton On and many other retail shops such as these, and I never once accepted or said YES please I'd love to contribute!

Am I being selfish? Because there is always "another time" to donate or because "I am so in need of money too".

Sometimes, I see those tin cans with stickers and the students will smile at me and said "would you like to donate?" I'd usually say "sure" and drop in a $1 coin (or depending on the kind of change that I get).

Seriously, I feel so bad for not donating as much as I think I should. How come I believe in relative velocity and quantum physics, but I don't believe in Karma?  If I donate $1 today, maybe I get $1 back tomorrow? But I don't think Karma works exactly that way, right?

I shudder at the thought of me buying all those clothes from Cotton On, but failed to donate even $2!?

Wow, I am amazed at my own selfishness. Are there others out there who have yet to donate too?

 Then I thought, you know, all these big school donors, donations to foundations and organizations and what not... why are they so willing to donate moolahs? I mean, everyone loves money, and money is considered as the number one God. Whether you say this or money is the root of all evil, admit it, you love money!

So why are there multimillion dollars of donations happening each year?

I figured probably it is because these donors do no want to pay a very high income tax at the end of the year. So instead of recognising all their money as per annum income, they donate what ever they do not need just to balance off nicely with the income taxes that they are willing to pay for.

Does income taxes work that way? I think they do! Somebody please enlighten me on this.


I think this whole year, so far I've donated only ... twice?

I wonder if other Singaporeans donate as much. Do you donate much?

I hope you don't throw eggs at me after reading this post to show much hatred to me for not being so giving towards others.

But I do have alot of compassion for you, for everyone. I hope that equals all of us out... :)

xoxo
thumbelina