http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/06/02/singaporeans-slammed-for-being-rude-in-australian-newspaper/
This post is intrigued by the article above.

Reading through it, different emotions and feelings came up. Anger was the first, especially when the expatriate commented "They don’t feel that anyone else exists outside this tiny island". Why come to our tiny island?
I'd always pledge myself to be patriotic, proud to be a Singaporean. As I finished the essay, I came to realised that I myself had similar encounters in Singapore. Few years back, when I was back in Singapore for my holidays, I remeber complaining to Lin about the customer service in Singapore, no thank you, no smiles.
I'd spoken to a few expatriates working in Singapore, some love us, while some are annoyed with our 'rudeness'. Few weeks backat the clinic, a patient and her family actually commented that they love Singapore, and that Singaporeans are nice people. I probe further as I was shocked, and the lady commented that people are generally nice except in the train.
I agree that courtersy needs some polishing in Singapore, but I find the younger generations in Singapore generally well mannered.

Australia has her fair share of brats and not so nice people. Acts of racism like throwing of eggs and stale bread, cursing or asking people to go back to their homeland as they drive pass are still seen.

So people, don't hold back your please and thank you, and holding the door for someone else won't use much of your energy. Please and Thank you.