AFTER four years abroad, I have concluded that Singaporeans, especially youth, have a particular predilection with feeling good about themselves.

Part of my work with this paper involves touching base with youth, and on a recent trip back to Singapore, I met student leaders of the major establishments.

What I did not expect was to be inundated with name cards. Initially I thought it was quite professional, but on deeper scrutiny, it screamed pretentiousness.

Call me pedantic, but it sounds ridiculous when someone introduces themselves to you as 'chief executive officer/managing director of (Unnamed School) Investment Society'.

What happened to good old 'chairman'?

The London School of Economics (LSE) is probably one of the sexiest names in the financial world, but we have our fair share of 'chairmen', 'secretaries' and 'treasurers'.

One thing that struck me when I first matriculated four years ago was how remarkably grounded some of the senior staff members here were.

The director (principal) of the LSE is Sir Howard Davies - yes, a knight. But in his opening address, he said: 'I prefer to be called Howard.'

And trust me, I have seen him in the cafeteria, sipping coffee with students, with one foot on the chair. It is endearing on a certain level.

I was tutored in international law by a Queen's Counsel, and legal adviser to former British prime minister Tony Blair. He insists we address him as Chris.

Behind this laid-back facade, I found my sense of respect for these people growing exponentially. They let their substance do the talking.

Growing up in a society where 'respect for elders' is a way of life, I doubt I truly appreciated the value of respect. It always seemed I had to respect someone just because they were my superiors, whether hierarchical or qualification-based.

And this respect, at times given grudgingly, is almost always lapped up cheerfully by the recipient.

While to expect a sea change in this culture may be a step too far, it does not help to hide behind dressed-up titles.

I think this phenomenon has permeated sideways too. While everyone aspires towards a degree to be respected in the working world, I am not sure all employers will agree they get degree performances from their ostensibly 'qualified' staff.

Some employers too have shared their mixed feelings about this youthful generation of educated, eloquent and confident workers. Unfortunately, these qualifications are at times accompanied by arrogance and self-assured swagger.

Call me dated, but two things I believe in are leading by example and winning respect the good old-fashioned way - by earning it. It feels better that way.

The writer, 25, is a recent graduate of the London School of Economics

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