I refer to the report “Cheng Bock invited to Istana party ‘by mistake’” (Feb 8). Invitations are traditionally, even now, sent because the host wishes to have the company of the guest.
No one sends an invitation and retracts it, especially after it has been accepted. This is unacceptable in any culture, by any social standard. It is a question of “face” and emotional quotient. Similarly, a guest should have basic, reasonable emotional intelligence to decline an invitation if he or she feels awkward or is on unfriendly terms with the host.
In this instance, former Member of Parliament and presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock received and accepted the invitation.
The People’s Association (PA) should have been sensitive and exercised discretion to host him and those guests whom they considered were invited by mistake.
An old invitation list was used, despite today’s database management technology. It would have been smarter to bear the brunt of this and be graceful. The cost of hosting them would probably have been negligible.
Instead, the episode reflects badly on the PA, which deals with the grassroots and Singaporeans in general.
We expect more sensitivity than a simple apology after making a mistake. EQ training might help prevent a repeat.
AILEEN TAN AI KER
*Article first appeared on TodayOnline Forums (10 Feb)