SINGAPORE: In his National Day Rally speech, the Prime Minister said Singapore should get its social graces up to scratch as it prepares to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

But the new man in charge of promoting a more gracious society said a sea-change in attitudes and habits will take several generations.

Since 1979, courtesy campaigns have been a feature of life in Singapore.

Now, one foodcourt at Suntec City Fountain Terrace is trying to get customers to clear up after themselves.

But response has been lukewarm.

On woman said: "We normally clear our tables at home, but not over here because there are workers around and they are paid for it. There are also not enough trolleys or clearing areas for you to clear it."

Getting commuters to stand on the left side of escalators in train stations, leaving the right lane free for those in a rush, is also getting mixed success.

The Singapore Kindness Movement hopes to get their message across better by targeting the home, workplace and schools.

It's also directing its efforts to the hospitality sector, and will work with the five Community Development Councils to spread the courtesy message to the neighbourhood.

Another way is to regularly highlight the efforts of good Samaritans.

The Singapore Kindness Movement started over a decade ago, but currently only 40 individuals have pledged their support to the cause. Its chairman wants to up that number, to one million pledges.

Koh Poh Tiong, Chairman, Singapore Kindness Movement, said: "I don't think we should expect transformational change in the next few years. As I said, it may take a generation, or two generations or three generations. But I believe as long as we can improve, in our behaviour and in our courtesy bit by bit each day, I think that's good enough."

Mr Koh said future campaigns will have to be more creative and the key is to educate the young to internalise good social habits and behaviour. - CNA/vm