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Thread: Behaviour of Singaporeans

  1. #1
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    Default Behaviour of Singaporeans

    An observation made by a German national who has lived in Singapore for 9 years.

    44 years of economic and material success have spawned some very strange behaviours among Singaporeans.

    They spent so much to buy a house or flat, furnished it up like a
    palace, but spent their time outside, most of the time at work.
    And the maids are the ones enjoying the million-dollar or multi-million-dollar assets..

    Then they pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And they are encouraged to park their cars at home and take public transport, being cheaper and more convenient.

    And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they went shopping. The best part is that they would head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. But they are still happy that they got a bargain.

    And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they could not, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from this paradise.

    While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.

    And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the govt and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they will vote and return the govt to power.

    Strange Singaporean behaviour !
    Last edited by irisng; 15-03-12 at 09:01.

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    Quote Originally Posted by irisng
    An observation made by a German national who has lived in Singapore for 9 years.

    44 years of economic and material success have spawned some very strange behaviours among Singaporeans.

    They spent so much to buy a house or flat, furnished it up like a
    palace, but spent their time outside, most of the time at work.
    And the maids are the ones enjoying the million-dollar or multi-million-dollar assets..

    Then they pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And they are encouraged to park their cars at home and take public transport, being cheaper and more convenient.

    And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they went shopping. The best part is that they would head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. But they are still happy that they got a bargain.

    And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they could not, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from this paradise.

    While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.

    And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the govt and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they will vote and return the govt to power.

    Strange Singaporean behaviour !
    It doesn't really matter how other "general" Singaporeans behave or how other foreigners think or feel about us. They may be stereotyping us or just commenting based on their own points of views.

    The most important thing is how you actually live your own life and are you happy with that kind of lifestyle. full stop.

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    pampered by the govt.

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    Exactly! It doesnt matter how long this German has stayed in Singapore.
    If he is open to other non-Western cultures, he will accept things as the way they are. If he likes it, he adopts it. If he cant, he will always criticize it and then move back home

    Over here in Singapore, the ones that stay on are the ones who are able to appreciate the quirks and perks this place can offer. Its not perfect but so is everywhere other countries.

    In Germany, most do not own the roof over their head. But most of them are very loyal to the company they work at. Perhaps this gives them a sense of security. This is their way of life and we should respect that.



    Quote Originally Posted by Allthepies
    It doesn't really matter how other "general" Singaporeans behave or how other foreigners think or feel about us. They may be stereotyping us or just commenting based on their own points of views.

    The most important thing is how you actually live your own life and are you happy with that kind of lifestyle. full stop.

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    sounds like stalingrad

    hehehe

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    Quote Originally Posted by devilplate
    sounds like stalingrad

    hehehe
    hahahaha

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    Well.. Is just a pot calling the kattle black . ..
    We can , any time, come out a German 101.

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    Quote Originally Posted by irisng
    An observation made by a German national who has lived in Singapore for 9 years.

    44 years of economic and material success have spawned some very strange behaviours among Singaporeans.

    They spent so much to buy a house or flat, furnished it up like a
    palace, but spent their time outside, most of the time at work.
    And the maids are the ones enjoying the million-dollar or multi-million-dollar assets..

    Then they pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And they are encouraged to park their cars at home and take public transport, being cheaper and more convenient.

    And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they went shopping. The best part is that they would head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. But they are still happy that they got a bargain.

    And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they could not, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from this paradise.

    While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.

    And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the govt and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they will vote and return the govt to power.

    Strange Singaporean behaviour !
    Oh really?

    I also have friends from Europe including German. Let me share how they live. They also done up their house nicely leh. Got nice carpet, wall paper and especially their furniture is definitely not from the shop houses at hdb neighborhood.

    In the past years when I go to places like Phuket, Shanghai, Beijing, etc and look at the local market place, the Angmo are the one that bargain the most for the cheap and fake goods. Lots of them doing it.

    Talk about complain. It's true that Singaporean complain a lot but they no action. In Europe, their action speaks louder than their voice. Stirke is so common in Angmo countries. If not happy with pay, strike. If not happy with changes in labor law, strike.

    So is this unique to Singapore?

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    Quote Originally Posted by devilplate
    sounds like stalingrad

    hehehe
    Stalingrad is not Angmo lah

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    Quote Originally Posted by PN
    Stalingrad is not Angmo lah
    oooo sure?

    no wonder his english standard aso sub standard lor....

    wahahahaha

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    Quote Originally Posted by PN
    Oh really?

    I also have friends from Europe including German. Let me share how they live. They also done up their house nicely leh. Got nice carpet, wall paper and especially their furniture is definitely not from the shop houses at hdb neighborhood.
    this one i agree....

    i always had the impression tat angmors love to do up their home nice nice.....unlike sporeans/asian in general

    perhaps tat german is trying to say sporean spend so much on home decor but hardly stay at hm bah

    tat only shows spore vibrant and happening mah!!!! angmor countries vy boring one hor....after 6 only got pubs and disco lor....

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    just back from europe (area of swiss, german and french border), been there a few times. Ate at a Chinese restaurant that offer Buffet dinner. Quite value for money for the price per head if compared to some Chinese restaurants there that serve ala carte; got about 30 dishes. Buffet start at 6.45pm. Happened to be there early at 6.30pm, already have angmo at a few tables. By the time 7pm+ , 3/4 restaurant filled with angmo. All happily wacking the food. At 8pm, I had my fill after 2 servings. But I am probably the 1st one to leave while rest of angmos still going back and froth to buffet table. Some tables had wines, while rest had beers...; moral of the story...?

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    Quote Originally Posted by land118
    just back from europe (area of swiss, german and french border), been there a few times. Ate at a Chinese restaurant that offer Buffet dinner. Quite value for money for the price per head if compared to some Chinese restaurants there that serve ala carte; got about 30 dishes. Buffet start at 6.45pm. Happened to be there early at 6.30pm, already have angmo at a few tables. By the time 7pm+ , 3/4 restaurant filled with angmo. All happily wacking the food. At 8pm, I had my fill after 2 servings. But I am probably the 1st one to leave while rest of angmos still going back and froth to buffet table. Some tables had wines, while rest had beers...; moral of the story...?
    Is this the moral of the story?: there are good and bad ang mos just like there are good and bad singaporeans

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    Moral of story is if cheap and good all will wack haa haa....

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    I find it strange that there isn't anyone that agrees to at least some of what was commented.

    If you stop to think about it, I think the only reason that most people are offended by this is not because it is untrue but because the author is German... ie. a foreigner, presumably a foreign talent.

    What if the "German national" was substituted by "Singaporean" in the article instead. If one were to read it again with just the first paragraph ammended, would anyone feel as defensive they are now?


    This is an observation made by a 79 year old retired Singaporean Chinese school teacher.

    44 years of economic and material success have spawned some very strange behaviours among Singaporeans.

    They spent so much to buy a house or flat, furnished it up like a
    palace, but spent their time outside, most of the time at work.
    And the maids are the ones enjoying the million-dollar or multi-million-dollar assets..

    Then they pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And they are encouraged to park their cars at home and take public transport, being cheaper and more convenient.

    And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they went shopping. The best part is that they would head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. But they are still happy that they got a bargain.

    And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they could not, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from this paradise.

    While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.

    And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the govt and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they will vote and return the govt to power.

    Strange Singaporean behaviour !

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    I'm not siding on either side though I'm a "100%" Singaporean. I found that some of the things that he mentioned are actually quite true but only to some Singaporeans and not all, must make this clear. One bamboo stick cannot hit the whole ship (translated from Chinese version).

    I have a friend (herself, daughter and son), spent about S$270 each on airtickets and hotels to go to Bangkok. The most frequent place that she went for shopping is Pratunam Wholesale market because she said shopping centres things are expensive. She bought a lot of children clothings (> 10 pcs) for her niece, ranging from $2 to $5 and she was happy with it. I asked her was it worth it, spent so much money to go to Bangkok to get all those clothing, if you added your airtickets + hotels bills, it was actually not cheap at all. She said, so that nobody will have the same design with them loh. But I think she had visited other places like floating markets etc also.

    They got hook to Bangkok after the previous trip, she booked again for the next trip but unfortunately, the trip was cancelled due to flood. She changed her destination to HK and Macau and when they came back, her daugher complained that HK was not nice, will never go there again. They complained that the food and things are expensive.

    Actually, different people has different type of requirement. Some people prefer to spend on house, some spend on food, some spend on cars, some spend on travels etc etc and different countries also have different cultures. Very often, we see ang moh, they like to backpack for travel but for us Chinese, I don't think we like it.
    Last edited by irisng; 15-03-12 at 15:46.

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    An observation made by a German national who has lived in Singapore for 9 years.

    They spent so much to buy a house or flat, furnished it up like a
    palace, but spent their time outside, most of the time at work.
    And the maids are the ones enjoying the million-dollar or multi-million-dollar assets..
    It shows their status. It satisfies their esteem needs. Heard of the hierarchy of needs? Maybe it is also their interest to furnish their house so that they can feel comfortable after a day work.

    Then they pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And they are encouraged to park their cars at home and take public transport, being cheaper and more convenient.
    It is human nature. Willing to spend so much on cars but not willing to pay the extra charges.

    Like some people, not willing to part their money for travel, or go to expensive restaurants for good food but they rather lost their money in shares or gambling.

    I have a friend, he is very rich, has 1 terrace house and 3 condos, household income >15K, when his computer spoils, he always get his friend to do it for free, not willing to send to the repair shops.

    And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they went shopping. The best part is that they would head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. But they are still happy that they got a bargain.
    Human nature again. Who doesn't want cheap and good things but not all lah, some also go for sceneries. Like me, I always go for sceneries & shoppings, always look for some souvenirs display to put at home.

    And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they could not, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from this paradise.
    This is for investments.

    While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.
    They have a better jobs waiting for them.

    And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the govt and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they will vote and return the govt to power.
    Not everybody complain lah. There are always some loyal citizens lor.

    Strange Singaporean behaviour!
    And I also don't understand why some countries can't live in harmony, must have w... & r....
    Last edited by irisng; 15-03-12 at 16:22.

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    Quote Originally Posted by PN
    Stalingrad is not Angmo lah
    He looks down on people using 'Singlish' or poor English. Sigh! Should have listened to my mother last time to study hard so others won't look down on me...

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    Quote Originally Posted by land118
    just back from europe (area of swiss, german and french border), been there a few times. Ate at a Chinese restaurant that offer Buffet dinner. Quite value for money for the price per head if compared to some Chinese restaurants there that serve ala carte; got about 30 dishes. Buffet start at 6.45pm. Happened to be there early at 6.30pm, already have angmo at a few tables. By the time 7pm+ , 3/4 restaurant filled with angmo. All happily wacking the food. At 8pm, I had my fill after 2 servings. But I am probably the 1st one to leave while rest of angmos still going back and froth to buffet table. Some tables had wines, while rest had beers...; moral of the story...?
    Moral of the story.. Singaporeans are busy people. Used to leaving buffet early coz still got work to do... Europeans are generally more willing to take things slow and enjoy life more fully...

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    Quote Originally Posted by ysyap
    He looks down on people using 'Singlish' or poor English. Sigh! Should have listened to my mother last time to study hard so others won't look down on me...
    Because he is not local, 100% Chinese and a

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    Quote Originally Posted by ysyap
    Moral of the story.. Singaporeans are busy people. Used to leaving buffet early coz still got work to do... Europeans are generally more willing to take things slow and enjoy life more fully...
    Fully agree. When I went for my tour, I always see the ang moh at the beach or hotel pool relaxing while we, chinese will always rush for time, go out early and come back late, try to make full use of the time, seldom enjoy the hotel facilities.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ysyap
    He looks down on people using 'Singlish' or poor English.
    Singlish is our Singaporean unique style. Some can speak good English but in order to join in the fun, they also speak Singlish, haha. Some can speak but cannot write and vice versa.

    What is there to be proud of knowing good English, English is not the only path to success. Some people with no or little knowledge of English also can succeed in their life. BUT of course, I think everybody also hope that they can master the English lor, including myself, aiyoh so embarrassing leh.

    一山还有一山高

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    Quote Originally Posted by irisng
    Fully agree. When I went for my tour, I always see the ang moh at the beach or hotel pool relaxing while we, chinese will always rush for time, go out early and come back late, try to make full use of the time, seldom enjoy the hotel facilities.
    That is what happen to their economic...Wan to relax and yet wan to demand good pay rate...

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    Quote Originally Posted by irisng
    Singlish is our Singaporean unique style. Some can speak good English but in order to join in the fun, they also speak Singlish, haha. Some can speak but cannot write and vice versa.

    What is there to be proud of knowing good English, English is not the only path to success. Some people with no or little knowledge of English also can succeed in their life. BUT of course, I think everybody also hope that they can master the English lor, including myself, aiyoh so embarrassing leh.

    一山还有一山高
    Chinese is the next kid on the block... If you can sell one bottle of coke to every Chinese in China and make a profit of S$0.80, you are a billionaire already...

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    Quote Originally Posted by irisng
    An observation made by a German national who has lived in Singapore for 9 years.

    44 years of economic and material success have spawned some very strange behaviours among Singaporeans.

    They spent so much to buy a house or flat, furnished it up like a
    palace, but spent their time outside, most of the time at work.
    And the maids are the ones enjoying the million-dollar or multi-million-dollar assets..

    Then they pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And they are encouraged to park their cars at home and take public transport, being cheaper and more convenient.

    And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they went shopping. The best part is that they would head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. But they are still happy that they got a bargain.

    And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they could not, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from this paradise.

    While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.

    And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the govt and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they will vote and return the govt to power.

    Strange Singaporean behaviour !
    in a strange way that makes sense...

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    I would like to dispel the notion that Singlish is uniquely Singaporean. Why?... bcoz Malaysians speak the same way too!

    Other than East Malaysians (who tend to pronounce certain words differently), its almost impossible to tell the difference btw somebody from KL and somebody from Singapore.

    So Singlish is nothing to be proud of... not speaking good English is not a matter of lack of knowledge but lack of effort.

    The average Singaporean can write pretty well with adequate knowledge of grammar and sentence structure.... so why is it so difficult to reproduce that in speech?

    We are a very self-consious people.. for the wrong reasons. People will laugh at you when you say "Hmm... I wonder... why is it so?" instead of "Eh... why like dat ah?".




    Quote Originally Posted by irisng
    Singlish is our Singaporean unique style. Some can speak good English but in order to join in the fun, they also speak Singlish, haha. Some can speak but cannot write and vice versa.

    What is there to be proud of knowing good English, English is not the only path to success. Some people with no or little knowledge of English also can succeed in their life. BUT of course, I think everybody also hope that they can master the English lor, including myself, aiyoh so embarrassing leh.

    一山还有一山高

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    Quote Originally Posted by irisng
    Singlish is our Singaporean unique style. Some can speak good English but in order to join in the fun, they also speak Singlish, haha. Some can speak but cannot write and vice versa.

    What is there to be proud of knowing good English, English is not the only path to success. Some people with no or little knowledge of English also can succeed in their life. BUT of course, I think everybody also hope that they can master the English lor, including myself, aiyoh so embarrassing leh.

    一山还有一山高
    English has opened up the world to me and enabled me to enjoy many things that it has to offer, like this forum.

    If I am only conversant in a little known dialect/language, the world around me becomes very much smaller.

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    in any case find that singapore is already losing it's identity somewhat.
    don't feel that safe anymore. don't feel that carefree anymore. more places are out to cheat people (maybe they think singaporean easy to cheat)....

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    Who are the "they" you are referring to?

    Cannot be Singaporeans all goody goody right?

    Quote Originally Posted by Komo
    in any case find that singapore is already losing it's identity somewhat.
    don't feel that safe anymore. don't feel that carefree anymore. more places are out to cheat people (maybe they think singaporean easy to cheat)....

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    [quote=howgozit]
    The average Singaporean can write pretty well with adequate knowledge of grammar and sentence structure.... so why is it so difficult to reproduce that in speech?

    When you are not in that person position, you won't understand. Some people can really speak very well but they can't write and don't be surprised that they cannot read either. In fact languages are a kind of skill that is not easy to master. How many students can score ''A" in their languages in school"? It seems that maths and sciences are easier to score. Does it means that they never put in their effort in mastering the languages?

    You need to speak more, read more and write more and all these partly depends on your environment also. Like those aunties/Ah Ma, they can speak Mandarin, sometimes even English but can you imagine how many of them can read and write? Frankly speaking, I can't speak good English though I'm English educated simply because I speak more Mandarin than English, but when come to writing, I can write better English than Chinese, and yet I always score "A" for my Chinese while for my English, so-so only, funny, right, I guess I assoicate more to Chinese speaking environment.

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