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Published on April 23, 2008

Achara Deboonme

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation

Buddhists believe if all people possessed this sense, they would not commit sins, and society would be peaceful.

But then, some wise men could ask: "What are 'sins'?" According to Buddhist principles, for laymen they are mainly killing, stealing, committing adultery, drinking and lying. Other actions not involved with the so-called sins are thus not sinful.

Indeed, to millionaire Hong Kong businessman Stephen Gan Fock-wai, groping male cabbies is not sinful, for he did that twice. But others in society do think so, for he was found guilty of committing the offence last week.

Still, Gan did not think his actions would reflect on his position as CEO of his family company, Pak Fah Yeow International. After bowing to the taxi drivers five times, he vowed not to step down.

Yet after a board meeting on Monday, he announced his decision to leave the post.

So, what do we learn from this?

In a fast-spinning world, it becomes harder to identify which act is sinful and which is not, and men can get confused with what they can or cannot do. Luckily, people around them care what society thinks and tell the men to rectify the wrongs.

It must be a positive thing if most of society possessed hiri ottappa. Although men can do wrong, if others with hiri ottappa outnumbered them, the wrongs could be righted and society remain peaceful.

Hmm, is it so in Thai society? I doubt that, given the numerous ongoing incidents that keep the waters roiling.

It seems most people think power can make anything right. No wonder they cling to power, regardless of the cost.

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What would you do if dissatisfied with a product or service? Most people decide not to lodge a formal complaint but, making matters worse, prefer instead to speak with friends or describe their dissatisfaction in blogs.

You're not alone in this world.

The Straits Times in Singapore conducted a survey that showed only 6 per cent of 12,000 people polled would opt for action. That compared with 14 per cent in the United States.

Sociologist Terene Chong of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies told the daily some things applied to consumers everywhere. She said Singaporeans preferred to indulge in "informal private whining rather than formal complaints".

"There is a line between the individual and an authority, or citizens and institutions, and many Singaporeans don't want to cross the line," Chong said.

I guess we are used to being treated as insignificant objects in society. Then, even though choices spring up for us, we still opt not to get involved with an undesirable provider or supplier. It's easier just to bad-mouth them and then move on rather than spend time explaining the cause of the dissatisfaction.