“The melting of unease is somewhat in line with recent economic data from the Department of Statistics, which showed that Singaporeans have started spending more on smaller-ticket items such as food and clothes.”

errr, what does ’somewhat’ mean? Can quantify clearer or not?
i thought it is either in line or not in line?

1. Was there 3 independent sets of statistics collected?

2. Mastercard only polled 401 odd customers?

3. How accurate is it to base on just 401 customers?

["SINGAPOREANS are getting more optimistic about the future...."]

["The latest MasterCard Worldwide survey on the purchasing priorities of 401 consumers here found 41 per cent would cut back on discretionary spending in the next six months."]

4. So, are these customers who were polled DEFINITELY singaporeans only?

5. Are these from Different Households? If 2 or more from same well-to-do household polled, it would not be as indicative a statistic as polling people from different households.

6. Are the polled from a certain income bracket only or across the spectrum of salary categories for card holders? If only polled the richest, the result could likely be skewed.

7. Based on what criteria and standard and rules was the survey done? Can Master card show us?

8. Who are the ones conducting the survey? What exact questionaire was used?
What exact answers given? Can publish on the web for all to see or not ? Only 401 polled right?

I never take statistics likely. I am a salt-addict. I take it with a large chunk of salt, just to be fair to myself. Clarify my doubts and it would make the statustics clearer.

I don’t think singaporeans typical ask these kinds of questions right? Or do you?

That news was titled :
“S’poreans are spending again
Only 41% plan to spend less, down from 64% last year, survey shows ”

if up to me, I might have described it as

“A significant proportion of S’poreans (41%) would continue to spend less, survey shows”

so r we supposed to rejoice with a celebration n spend more?

You can’t handle the truth……the truth is that Singaporeans will blindly follow what is told to them like good soldiers. Best of them all is Lionel De Souza. Go and spend more Lionel!

Their surveys aren’t worth a Rat’s Fart…

agree with CJ!!

True CJ

Dont trust survey…it is double edged.

I have done subey before and analysed them.

You can direct your findings to what you want to portray.

If you want actual analysis go through the actual survey answers then you will know the whole truth.

Of course, the truth sometimes hurts…

It really takes a highly creative mind to convolute what the statistics actually show/suggest (which is not much to begin with) to come up with that headline. Obviously to instruct the masses rather than inform.

We wouldn’t expect anything less from ST…

Golden period mah

“S’poreans are spending again
Only 41% plan to spend less, down from 64% last year, survey shows ”

hehehe… this is funneee. the truth could have been that 64% of Singaporeans planned to spend less (than what they had been doing) last year.

For this year, some of these 64% decided they simply couldn’t spend any less (because they were already spending on essentials). On top of that, some of the 36% who had not planned to spend less last year, found that they really had to spend less this year.

so, you tell me, if the scenario is as above, has the economy recovered????

statistics, you can massage them in any way you want most of the time…

NY Times Today; “The American economy lost 467,000 more jobs in June, and the unemployment rate edged up to 9.5 percent in a sobering indication that the longest recession since the 1930s had yet to release its hold.”

Our local news seems to be spouting good news recently. So I am guessing that a possible election window is coming soon. If the current stock market rally and property market rally holds out; the election may come right after National Day.

I am please and proud to announce that I have independent thinking and Question everything that is fed to me as I digest all information received.

I wonder how many singaporeans got time to do this?

singaporeans, are you capable of digesting statistics?

prove to me.

Alamak, MasterCard’s business can only thrive if people (owning its cards, that is) go out and spend, using the MasterCard facility. So, one should expect the people at MasterCard to seek to paint a rosy picture, or at least, a rosier picture than say, six months ago.
More pertinently, a survey should be carried out among people who do not own a MasterCard — for the simple reason that they do not qualify for one. I wonder what the findings would reveal. But I guess we already know.

#12,

“If the current stock market rally and property market rally holds out; the election may come right after National Day”

chinese newspaper reported opposition preparing for election in December based on their prediction / suspicion.

personal guestimate is September, coinciding with your post-nday celeb.

nday the songs and media can sometime move people you know. like this good good ah. Also, the more people part of the show, the more they get involved. I wonder what effect if any?

8) Gilbert Goh on July 3rd, 2009 7.53 am
“Dont trust survey…it is double edged.
I have done subey before and analysed them.
You can direct your findings to what you want to portray.
……
Of course, the truth sometimes hurts…”

Thanks Gilbert for your 1st hand account / experience sharing.
Very insightful.

Eg. comparing month-on-month, may be bad results. But comparing on-year, can be good. If very bad now, can compare with very long ago even lagi worst and the comparison can show belly belly high groove.

It is crystal clear…how the property market infomation is coming out….

OCBC saying not yet…some unknown property agent saying….its a great time to buy…

Survey done on high net worth individuals saying…No not the right time to invest, we are still holding back….

ST saying people are out to spend…..

Singapore’s ST should wake up and not kill people of their money…..its hard earned….perhaps not for them and their masters…but it is, for most people…

Maybe Singaporeans are stupid….to jump in and buy…….one will never know, since there are 66.6% of them out there.

Anyway stats can easily be manipulated to give an outcome one desires…arhh…

In this world, by Darwinology,
there is always LESS smart people and more Less-smart people which is why there is less rich people and many many more poorer people.

If too many are smart, there is no one to earn money from.

“In this world, by Darwinology,
there is always LESS smart people and more Less-smart people which is why there is less rich people and many many more poorer people.”

The funny thing is that in most examples it ultimately points to the common denominator being in the use of force by the fortunate “creame de la creame”, equally applicable to the animal kingdom.

Of course, the ’smart’ ones are able to paint (sometimes having to use force if sweet talk does not help) that they are smarter (or more right) over the rest (the more submissive ones who are constrained from exercising the use of force or even peaceful protests).

i’m wif cj,rid on!