One of the highlights of my day in Singapore is reading the Straits Times, the local newspaper here. There’s a sort of innocence that makes me smile.

Each morning, there’s a section called “Bouquets” where people can write in with praise and thanks for others who have done something nice. Here are today’s:

CABBY RETURNED EXCESS FARE

On Oct 17, my daughter, together with two of my nieces, boarded an SMRT cab to Causeway Point and mistakenly paid the driver $110 for the $12 fare, receiving change of $8. When she realised the mistake and called me, I called the SMRT hotline.

I would like to thank Mr Teo Hock Swee for going of his way to return the money, and the hotline operator for being prompt in handling the matter.

– Nooraida Ramli (Ms)

THE DENTAL CENTRE IS TOPS

My son has been undergoing treatment at the School Dental Centre for the last two years. I commend the centre for doing an excellent job. Systems and processes are well in place and, within an hour, we are out of the centre. The fees are also affordable.

Most importantly, the people and environment make the experience less traumatic for the children.

– Long Tien Ho

A JOY TO DINE AT TAO’S

I would like to thank the staff at Tao’s restaurant for a very enjoyable lunch my family had on my husband’s recent birthday. Special thanks go to Gregory for all the birthday surprises he had arranged.

Dining at Tao’s restaurant has always been a wonderful experience. The restaurant staff never fails to impress us with smiles, humour and sincerity. That’s what great service is all about.

– Jenny Koh Geok Hwa (Mdm)

CABBY, 60, RETURNED PASSPORT

I would like to thank taxi driver Wai Ling (SHB 9034M), for returning my passport that I left behind in the taxi.

She is more than 60 years old but I did not see any sign of her age in the way she conducted herself. My congratulations to Smart Cab for hiring her without worrying about her age.

– Venkataramani Srinivasan

WALLET HANDED TO POLICE

I would like to thank the anonymous woman from West Coast who handed my wallet to the Clementi Neighbourhood Police Centre on Oct 6.

– Dr Sherrida Y. Chua

My cabbie the other day was on his way to return a Blackberry to a businessmen who had lost it. He explained to me that each cab driver received points for returning lost items to their owner, and that at the end of the month, the driver with the most points received a prize. Can you imagine that happening in New York?

Another cabbie looked in the rear view mirror and complimented me on being handsome and young looking. Although he may have just been looking for a tip…

It may be a little boring here, but what’s not to like about Singapore?

I’m off to Bangkok this afternoon for a few days there – sadly not for the weekend, though, as I’ll be working. Tomorrow’s a holiday in Singapore (it’s Diwali) so everyone else has a four-day week, but I’ll be working six. No rest for the weary!