There is something about genuine interactions and connections with another human being.

And sometimes, that's just all it takes to make an impact on someone's life.

For one doctor in Singapore, Malcolm Tan, he wrote about an encounter with one of his patients, a woman in her 50s.

Chatted after their medical appointment

In his Facebook post on Friday, Dec. 14, he said the woman had visited him to get a medical report for a scan that had been done.

She happened to be his last patient for the day, and asked the doctor if he had some time to listen to her for a bit.

Tan, who said he was not pressed for time, spent about 10 minutes listening to her speak about her views on Singapore society and life in general.

People look down on her as a cleaner

The woman shared in Mandarin that she is illiterate and did not pass her PSLE.

Without any qualifications and knowledge of English, she became a cleaner.

As a cleaner, she shared that she sees Singaporeans from various backgrounds.

"Believe me when I say that people often look down on us, we who hold poorly paid jobs," she said. "To them, we do not exist and when we do, we are usually needed to tidy a mess."

She also pointed out that she cannot change how others view people like herself, but she can control how she responds to them.

Value often determined by utility we bring to others

"Our lives are defined by our utility to other people," she said. And as a cleaner, she said that plays her part to contribute to society by keeping public spaces clean.

"I don't have enough money to help others but I have two hands and when I can, I do," she said.

She also said that "young Singaporeans are very fortunate" and "do not know the hardship many older Singaporeans have experienced".

However, she explained she doesn't feel anger towards the younger generation because at least, they are living "good lives".

She acknowledged that she would "go quietly" when she eventually cannot work and serves no purpose to others.

This is Tan's full post: