“””Beauty Beyond Appearances: Singaporeans Defend SIA Crew Against Disparaging Comments”” “

SINGAPORE: A recent social media post criticizing the appearance of Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight attendants has sparked strong reactions from Singaporeans. The issue began when Rey Syafirah shared a post in the “Complaint Singapore” Facebook group, where she criticized SIA crew members’ looks and lamented that the attendants “don’t look as pretty as they used to.”

While some commenters joined in with light-hearted remarks, many Singaporeans condemned the comments as narrow-minded and outdated. Facebook user Marvin Lo noted, “Pretty is subjective,” emphasizing that beauty should not be a focus in professional settings. Another user, Exotics Godsmark, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that subjective judgments are often unkind and irrelevant to the core of professional service.

Several commenters challenged the critic to consider her own standards before passing judgment on others. “How pretty are you referring to?” questioned Diana Chung, pointing out that those who focus on looks alone may lack deeper qualities. Many commenters shared that they believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that standards like those expressed in the post are often rooted in personal insecurities.

Other voices in the comments underscored the importance of professionalism over appearance. User Risha Isha remarked, “As long as they perform their tasks well and are presentable, appearance doesn’t matter. Beauty standards should be saved for fashion or pageant events.” Similarly, Paul Liew dismissed the idea of flight attendants being chosen for aesthetics alone, adding that their competence in managing passenger care and safety is what truly matters.

This incident reflects a growing societal rejection of shallow and discriminatory standards in the workplace, particularly those imposed on female professionals. The collective response from Singaporeans highlights an emphasis on valuing skill and professionalism over personal appearance, sending a clear message in favor of respect and equality.