The Ugly Singaporean
It’s been a while since I blogged about anything non-related to anime or Japan.
This is an entry about Singapore. Please do not read on if non-anime entries bore you.
So anyway, I was in a certain shopping centre, located in a certain HDB district starting with the letter “B”, near my school, looking at some HD-enabled LCD TV and feeling sad and poor. I stood there for a few minutes to ogle at the power of High Definition and decided that those TVs were way overpriced. I’d rather have a 24″ LCD monitor from Dell for less. I walked to a DVD store nearby and found out that they had removed their entire anime selection, mostly bootlegs. Looks like they finally realized that selling bootleg DVDs with cheap-looking packaging for exorbitant prices just doesn’t work.
But that’s not what I want to talk about today.
On the way down to the first floor, a woman and an elderly man had stopped in front of the escalator. They didn’t look local and, I know I’m stereotyping, appeared to be foreigners who are in Singapore either looking for jobs or relatives.
The reason why they stopped was because they were afraid of stepping onto the escalator. The woman tried to take a step forward but retreated before her foot touched the moving steps. The man held on to her hands as the both of them looked down, uncertain with hesitation and a trace of fear.
I happened to be behind them and I stopped to wait because they were blocking the way down. I could sympathize with them. I used to have a fear of escalators too. I rolled down one when I was five. (Yeah, the whole way down.) It’s really quite difficult to get the timing right if you aren’t used to it, especially since that particular escalator was on the fast end of the speed scale in terms of escalators.
Of course, it only took a few seconds before a mini line formed behind the man and the woman. And it only took slightly longer before the ugly Singaporeans reared their empty heads. In this case, it was a bunch of school girls.
“Who’s blocking the way?”
“Why (sic) so scared one?”
“Ahahahahaha!”
“Lame.”
These were not five-year-old girls. These were teenagers who looked old enough to know when to keep their mouths shut. The man and the woman in front knew they were causing trouble for everyone else and they tried their best and finally got onto the escalator with half a jump. The pack of bitches behind continued with their mocking the whole way down. The man and the woman looked visibly distressed.
In my 10 years of citizenship, I have never felt more ashamed to be a Singaporean.
Are the girls so stupid that despite all the subsidized education they receive, they cannot tell the difference between right and wrong? Or do they do it despite knowing that it’s wrong? I really don’t know which possibility is scarier.
Stupid kids.
November 14th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
mm idiots.. that makes singaporeans looks bad.. mind telling me how they look like so i can give them a punch in their face? @_@
November 14th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Well actually I think they are being the typical inconsiderate Singaporean. They lack sympathy, sense of occasion and common sense. For some reason, this ‘laughing-at-others-because-they-aren’t-as-good-as-us’ business seems particularly prominent in Singapore. Maybe it’s Singapore’s competitive nature that brings out this ’sense of pride’ for being ‘better’ than others? The fact that Singapore has been through so many courtesy campaigns does make one think deeper about this issue.
Hell, it’s not just the kids, quite a few adults i’ve noticed are irresponsible too, especially when it comes to their little kids running around, screaming and shouting in a really crowded area. I really can’t tell if it’s this generation or this country in which this trend exists, since I haven’t been out to see the world and stuff. If it is our country, then I fear for Singapore’s future. If it is our generation, I fear the world is going to hell.
November 14th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Yeah, there are many bad-hats like that, not only in Singapore - there are LOADS of them in Italy. It’s just a bad habit of 3… that carries on to 80. One time I was getting off a ‘tram’ (those electricity-based buses with a cord attached on the roof, I don’t think there are any in other countries) to make space to the people behind me, who were obviously trying to get off. Then a woman, while I was going down those 3 stairs said with a loud voice: “What the **** are you doing? You shouldn’t stand in front of the door, you dork! There are people who have to get off!” I mean, just wait a second! It’s not like she was going to miss a stop because of me, I was getting off in that very moment! Furthermore, there wasn’t enough space for me to stand, so I had to be in front of the door, duh…
Well, that’s all for my complaints… And also, forgive me as this may sound stupid, but what’s a bootleg DVD? XD
November 14th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
You get good characters(namely yourself, me, and all the nice people you know) and bad characters. It’s just that the bad characters make a more lasting impression than the good characters. For every bitch you see mocking old people without a drop of sympathy, there are those who stand quietly at the sidelines, too timid to reach out and say something for fear of fetribution.
It’s sad to say the bad characters, because they are more noticeable, have more influence. They make others become rotten too. But you can’t really blame them at all.
Bad haracters merely have such qualities because it reflects a true emptiness inside themselves, which they attempt to hide with “tough” behaviour or indifferent behavior. Inadequecy is a feeling nobody wants to have.
I am sorry that you and the elderly couple in question have witnessed such uncaring teens. Just remember not to act like them yourself..
November 14th, 2006 at 5:30 pm
When simply smiling is not enough. Couldn’t you have told them to take the lift instead?
November 14th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
a bootleg DVD is a low-quality illegal duplicate…
November 14th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
I forgot to mention that this whole incident took place in less than 10 seconds. It’s not like the two of them blocked the escalator for hours or anything.
It took all of 10 seconds for the girls to start complaining.
November 14th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
O_o I am rather sure that u are refering to junction 8 in Bishan? the animeshop happens to be inside best denki? Which recently removed their anime collection??
November 14th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
This has little to do with Singapore, stupidity is ubiquitous.
I see that kind of thing all the time over here - a lot of people just don’t stop to engage their brains before they speak. Probably because they don’t have one.
> “Why so scared one?”
Haha, I love Singaporean English :P. I read about it on wikipedia once, but could never actually find much in the way of examples… I guess that’s because people never *write* this form, only speak it. Almost makes me want to visit just to hear.
November 14th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
Lol im surprised at a foreigner’s view of Singlish. And a British one too. Its a naturally spoken slang over here. I think http://www.talkingcock.com will be a good site to know more Singlish.
November 14th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
slight edit here. For a rather concise list of Singlish terms and their usage, visit http://www.talkingcock.com/html/lexec.php?op=LexPKL&lexicon=lexicon .
November 14th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
if the girls are wearing school uniform, write a letter to their school and complain about how the students lack consideration. Or better, write to Straits times forum and complain about the lack of courtesy that the ppl in that school has.
November 14th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
^Again, another typical singaporean trait.
ONLY KNOW HOW TO COMPLAIN.
Next time, do what I do: Fuck them back.
“Oei, like that also funny?”
November 14th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
@tsubaki: I would advise against that. If you must react that way, be sure to keep your own emotions in reign and don’t lose your cool.
November 14th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
O_o
So… Singlish is combination of three? (malay, chinese and english).
Then this will be the language that I understand 2/3 of it xD
November 14th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
singlish is written all the time. sms for example is almost strictly singlish among friends.
cant beat something that is short and effective.
November 14th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Didn’t you know teenage girls are 90% bitches?
November 14th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
This kind of situations are hardly rare in Malaysia as well. I often feel semi-ashamed at some things we Malaysians do as well.
November 14th, 2006 at 8:43 pm
Lol expected. Girls nowadays are getting from bad to worse. I recommand that they serve their nation like teh males, that wud seriously solve the problem and the clerk/armour crew shortage. I mean look at other countries like Israel where girls have to serve NS for 3 years, 2 years here is nothing.
Look at the recent RJC female blogger, really too full of herself. Actually, most girls think the same way. And admit it, guys are generally lower when it comes to the social foodchain. I believe these kind of girls backstab each other much more than guys do, and do all kinds of other retarded stuff.
Talking to the ground everyday for 9 weeks ought to do them lots of good.
November 14th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Careful with the comments… the next thing we know, DM’s going to be charged in court for sedition.
@Migs: Seconded.
November 14th, 2006 at 8:48 pm
wouldn’t it be simpler just to direct them to the lift … lol
my grandma also wouldn’t take the escalator lol…
November 14th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Kurogane, it’s free speech…
November 14th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
well true migs i’m too a malaysian, you should see kids in Australia, where I’m studying now.
they are so rude and not ashamed of it.
November 14th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
@exalt dragon I do that all the time, whenever I see people doing things wrong.
Want examples? Old man standing in front of a youth. Youth sees, but pretends that he’s not aware.
Tsubaki goes, “Oei, you cannot see here got ah pek. Don’t know how to give up your seat?”
The crowd looks intensely at the youth. Youth lets old man sit, run off at the next stop.
And, regarding your comment to Kuro: There’s no free speech in the internet, least for us singaporeans. I’m pretty sure you’re aware that the government has already fine/imprisoned bloggers for sedition.
November 14th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Omg, I was in J8 recently too! I was at it yesterday actually. Was it yesterday you encountered that? Haha, I was wearing school uniform too, BUT I didn’t witness such things la. What kind/colour of uniform they’re wearing? Hell, that was suuuuuper inconsiderate.
November 14th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
You misunderstand the response to “Kuro”..I meant to say that so far we have been relatively acceptable on not inciting an insurrection..
I can only wish you the best in your efforts and hope you don’t get beaten up one day by someone you rub the wrong way.
November 14th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
lol… dKiWi, your comments reek of sexism… you doing your NS, right?
I agree with kurogane about watching your comments but not because of lack of free speech but i would like to remind everyone that you probably did something like that before during your teenage days…
everyone is prone to being selfish, so dont be overly critical about other people being selfish…
November 14th, 2006 at 10:22 pm
Real girls are not MOE
November 14th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
@zer0: Then what is aya hirano?
November 14th, 2006 at 11:36 pm
LOL SO WEAK! You should’ve pushed the woman and man onto the escalator and raped the teenage girls JUST LIKE YOU DO IN THE ERO GAMES.
November 14th, 2006 at 11:52 pm
…and next year’s GP alevel question “ero-games are worst than western violent movies. Discuss.”
November 15th, 2006 at 12:45 am
- actually the man and woman will die in a terrible accident and the teenage girls are their daughters who have a terrible illness and die in a terrible tragedy, but not before you fall in love and have sex with them in a thousand summers.
Also, DM, get over it; you’ll learn the meaning of derision and frustration when you step into Tekong.
November 15th, 2006 at 1:06 am
kwok: He’s headed for OCS. I can smell it.
Also, DM, we all are ripe bastards. It’s just how we control our feelings.
I feel ashamed of being human everyday, and you don’t see me bitching about it. Take a chill pill and let this dirty little incident go away. It’s not as if you’re trying to save these people (and if you do have such ambitions, I apologize).
Assholes are everywhere, but few make themselves noticed. Those that do will get ostracized by society. We’re pretty good at doing that.
November 15th, 2006 at 1:51 am
I’m so damn disappointed with those people. Serious, they should just die or something.
November 15th, 2006 at 2:55 am
Youngsters have issues. I carry a paddle-board and cold glares around *nods* for cases of unnecessary disrespect.
November 15th, 2006 at 4:30 am
It’s not anything new. It’s human nature. People in packs, especially teenagers, are nasty.
November 15th, 2006 at 8:23 am
Glad to see there are good-natured people like you DarkMirage. If everyone were like you, this world can be a much better place…
The first thing children should learn at school is respect… =___=
November 15th, 2006 at 8:51 am
>>Glad to see there are good-natured people like you DarkMirage.
Some how.. in this context… I find this line extremely funny.
>>The first thing children should learn at school is respect…
I absolutely agree.
>>Real girls are not MOE
Mostly, but not all. I still attempt to retain some futile hope to meet a girl who’s moe IRL.
November 15th, 2006 at 9:04 am
Here’s the problem with teenagers, especially in Singapore nowadays: They think the world revolves around them. This is especially more prevalent among girls in Singapore. Perhaps we should go back to this comment in the newspaper regarding teenage girls giggling in a theatre performance and annoy the heck out of the spectators?
But this problem is also prevalent worldwide. I heard that in Britain, the teenagers, both boys and girls, are worse. They were against school discipline and there is this phenomena (very dangerous one) called ‘Happy Slapping’ over there. Even killed someone.
Really, it saddens me to see the state of teenagers nowadays, seeing that I’m a teenager as well. I put the blame at the lack of moral education, and I say the problem starts at home. But that’s my own opinion so don’t take it so seriously.
November 15th, 2006 at 5:05 pm
> ‘Happy Slapping’
o_O;
November 15th, 2006 at 5:22 pm
Oh, I forgot to mention, not every teenagers are like that, so don’t flame me.
Surely you know what is ‘happy slapping’, Anon?
November 15th, 2006 at 9:53 pm
haha im not sexist really… and don’t get me wrong I’m not bitter about being in the army. Its juz that when I observe how most girls behave nowadays I think something needs to be done. But the fact is, nothing can be done. Unless by some miracle my suggestion is taken up.
I work around the MINDEF area and I have seen my fair share of female officers and officer cadets. I have even interacted with some of them. Yes some of them are quite good looking. Young, cute female submarine captains such as Tessa in Full Metal Panic! do exist. In fact most female officers in Singapore are sent to the airforce or navy as submarine or weapons systems officers.
They are definitely much better behaved and have a set of values to follow. When I talk to them, I realise a huge difference between talking to them and the average ACJC girl.
Most teenage girls think the world revolves around them. Sad but true. I didn’t say all, I said most. I have a sister a year younger than me… and wah lan eh. Her friends are abt the same as well. They tend to give up everything in the world for their friends but treat their family members like shit. Again, sad but true, I’m experiencing it now.
November 16th, 2006 at 12:58 am
“When I talk to them, I realise a huge difference between talking to them and the average ACJC girl.”
Why did you choose to single out ACJC?
November 16th, 2006 at 7:30 am
youth today is rotten… its the same way here in germany as well…
November 16th, 2006 at 8:47 am
About girls doing a lot more backstabbing:
Here in Poland, after a certain recent school “incident”, there is a lot of talk about how schools should work. Anyway, I read an interview with a headmistress in charge of school in bronx-like area and she said something interesting about single-sex classes which has oddly something similar this:
To paraphrase:
“All-male class? Tried that, it worked. With all-female it’s harder. Guys have it simple - if they strongly don’t agree on something, they will resolve it once by fist fight or similar means. With girls, you can have an awful lot of background scheming ending in much worse psychical abuse. And psychical abuse is the same or even worse than physical.”
November 16th, 2006 at 8:49 am
hmm i think i understand what dKiWi makes sense.. No offense exalt dragon, you seem to be an ACSian, but i have to say that what dKiWi sas about ACJ girls is right…
November 16th, 2006 at 10:31 am
Agreed with girls being backstabbers. Seen quite a lot of ’sabo’ (sabotage) been done by girls back in secondary school. From my experience, it seems like a bulk of rotten, self-centered teenagers in Singapore are girls. Again, I’m not saying ‘all girls’, just ‘most girls’, in case anyone feels offended.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:51 am
…. coz im from ACJC …
It wudnt be fair to single out other schs.
November 16th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
backstabbing by girls in secondary school? o.O thank goodness im home schooled
November 16th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
oh wow.. the future is doomed
November 16th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
no lar… the future isnt doomed lar.. (haha trying to show Singlish can be typed?)
Even tho the social fabric is being torn apart by these females, there are no adverse side effects for Singapore wad. We’re still doing damn well compared to other countries. Its more like a success as opposed to a failure. That’s how Singapore works, the leaders dont care abt some aspects of the social fabric (not including racial harmony) as long as Singapore is successful. Look at the public perception of anime in SG.. SAF computers block out all websites with the word “anime” in it. Fucked up media I tell u.
How did this come about?
Meritocracy. Females = males, thus females get education easily. Alot of them are smart, and as long as they do well at sch, their parents treat them like god (e.g. buy lots of stuff). Most parents are like that nowadays due to guilt. Admit it lar, in SG as long as u do well at sch most parents let u do whatever fuck (pun intended) u want.
So since females treated like god, and feel like god, and noe that they are god through their results, that’s how it comes about.
Bottom line is: SG wud be a better place if girls get NS as well.. of coz i duno whether its feasible or not statstically so if it isnt, as in we need all these talented young women in the offices, then never mind lar.
November 16th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
Actually, be it girls or guys, SG is becoming a little tavern full of spoilt brats like us. And especially so since we haven’t really seen much shit around and about, so we still stay very arrogant and conceited with that “air” of superiority that many would be felt from the WSM incident.
The prevalence of such immature pple around in SG doesn’t go unnoticed thanks to these peeps, but we musn’t forget that they are the few that voice their thoughts out. Many will think to themselves the same thing, but just don’t voice it out due to some sense of decency of respect.
But the bulk of us are still a long way from sympathising with them, much less empathising with them.
November 16th, 2006 at 10:57 pm
…we have our government to thanks for this. In order to achieve economic superiority, social morals have been sacrificed. Studies? Get a good grade and you can just screw everything else. Get that degree? Cool, go work in some top end company but you have already forgotten all the crap thats been hammered into your heads by your teachers.
November 17th, 2006 at 12:26 am
Yea…its sad but true,im also ashamed,especially when i see how people just wouldnt let passengers alight first at the MRT…….Singapore is experiencing moral decay and nuthings gunna save or stop it….
November 17th, 2006 at 12:30 am
had to agree what elohir said, in Singapore, education is everything, people praise and award you for having the brains to score well in exams and they dun even care whether you have basic manners or moral values…it’s quite a sad thing even we have moral value lessons in schools…sigh….just what is the use of having them?
@DM : those type of girls can be seen everywhere as what everyone had said, and being a teenage girl myself, i feel the shame of being one…perhaps should take up dkiwi’s suggestions…all girls go for NS training >_> seriously, someone has to stop their arrogance somehow….
showing disrepect for the eldery…they really deserved some tight slaps…but then again..i lack the courage to confront them even such thngs happened in my very eyes…some of them are real scary, u just glanced at them and those vulgarities words came pouring out of their mouths which i really cant stand all those plus those high-pitched screaming [OMG], thus i cant help it but act ignorant while cursing them inside my heart….weak sia, it’s all because people like me that these people are all getting their way….
orz…this is just so frustrating…
November 17th, 2006 at 10:50 am
speaking of MRT, i noticed that most people would just stand near the exit and not “move” inner to the seats (unless there are empty seats around) i usually saw the exits cramped up with people and the seat cabins with like only 6 to 7 people (and yes.. theres enough space for others)
November 17th, 2006 at 11:50 am
“And psychical abuse is the same or even worse than physical”
The word you are looking for is “psychological”, not “psychical”…psychical pertains more to the “psychic” sense of the of the mind and metaphysical phenomena, psychological refers to the state of the mind and emotions.
It seems that some of the previous comments have misplaced “elitism” with “misbehaviour”. It is not always so. They overlap but being elitist doesn’t implicate misbehaving, similarly misbehaving doesn’t implicate having elitist frames of mind.
November 17th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
@Tsugari moral lessons? More like free period.
November 17th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
I think somewhere in this discourse, we have become far too myopic and conclusive. What with “experiencing moral decay and nuthings gunna save or stop it”, “the future is doomed”, “most people would just stand near the exit”… and what evidence do we happen to use to prove it? Some anecdotes mostly on one side of the issue: isolated observations and conversations that appear to point to the presence of a moral malaise in Singapore.
Yet, there is little or no consideration for the big picture, or for the other side of the story. What of youth crime? Youth crime has been steadily decreasing since 2004 (link) —perhaps police enforcement has become more effective, but how much changed in these two years?
What of youth volunteerism? According to a 2006 survey by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, 28% of those aged 15 to 24 are volunteers, up from 25% in 2004 and well above the national average of 15.5%—and ‘volunteer’ doesn’t even include CIP (except those done above requirement).
Moral decay? Worse, one that is inevitable? The evidence presented above doesn’t seem strong enough to support a claim of this magnitude.
“Most” people will just stand near the exit? Really? I would believe this if you were to record the scene in 500 train carriages taken across different times at different places, perhaps use the chi-square test of statistical significance to determine whether there are more people near the exits, and eventually come to a quantitative conclusion. Human impression, especially when it’s skewed by the fact that we tend to over-represent the undesirable, just doesn’t cut it.
November 17th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
@wei zhong
Moral contradiction perhaps?
I would like to criticise the context in which you placed the examples you gave. While I agree with you that the mere essence of individuals’ perception of their fellow singaporeans is not enough to signify a “moral decay” or amageddon, there is an incompleteness in your examples too.
To begin, the rate of youth crime decreasing could be the result of extensive campaigning on the part of the police and youth welfare functions of the government as well as better education standards in Singapore leading to more fear of the consequence of crime. If so, then this is not an improvement in morals, but merely better knowledge of consequences.
Also, I know for a fact that some youths do volunteerism as part of their compulsory CIP hours that they have to tend to rather than the good of their own morals. Also, some are persuaded into doing it through peer pressure rather than through their own initiatives. Where is the increase in moral standards in that? It merely shows a weak link to POSSIBLE increase sense of duty.
I understand where you’re coming from in insisting the use of proper surveying methods for the gathering or empirical data. However, you cannot deny the importance of human impression. When people see Singaporeans, they impression they get is very important. For example, why do you think the four million smiles campaign was set up? It was to give the foreigners a better impression of Singapore. It could work to increase the level of interest in Singapore amongst the other citizens of the world, which in turn could equate investment and other big money spinners. If you were a foreigner, would you like investing in factories of unfriendly, uninspired and unsociable workers? I understand that you should insist on pure, unadulterred knowledge that is as objective as can be. However, you need to understand that both knowledge and beliefs have big roles to play in this society. Belief, even if it is unfounded, can damage the image and association of any country, organisation, or individual.
When people have a cultural meme that says bad habbits, the meme can proliferate through society and lead to a self-orientalism of sorts. This may further lead to more decay in moral standards.
Therefore, it is important to realise that human impression, which contructs beliefs, does “cut it”. Infact, some may say that any and all knowledge is unobjective and subjective and hence the only thing of any importance is belief, instead of knowledge.
November 17th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
@exalt dragon (to your reply to mine) The problem with people is that everyone afraid of getting beaten up. Ask yourself, how many people actually do get beaten up in public? So many fucked up things happens everyday, so shouldn’t more people get beaten up?
As long as you know you are right, just go ahead and tell that person off. Of course, if you get stabbed because of doing something like this, at least you die a matyr ya? Lol.
November 18th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
I think that this kind of phenomena occurs all around the world.. I even once had similar experience, but I’m the victim..
Unless the goverment do something critical, we can do nothing much. The least we can do is to teach our kids well enough in the future, I think..
November 18th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
No comment. I’m pretty sure that if I say anything bad about those schoolgirls, somebody’s ugly head is going to pop up and defend them in a very ugly way.
Which of course, isn’t any bit glorifying to be Singaporean either…
November 18th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
well, keep in mind that not just in Singapore, in every place on this planet has these inconsiderate people… I am very pleased that you knew it was wrong… And please feel proud that you realised it’s wrong… Maybe you may think how you can help when next time this kinda thing comes up…
Anon
November 20th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Hm……………..90% of Singaporean girls are bitches eh?? From my point of view it should be 95%. The additional 5% is for those stupid girls who think they look so cute and act cute when they are so freaking ugly and have seriously freaking disgusting habits
November 21st, 2006 at 11:18 pm
Here we got mat rempits (illegal motorcycle racers) to worry about. Like, they throw some stones at the police. Recently.
February 11th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
its not totally the teens and kids fault i feel it has to do with parent’s upbringing sometimes so yea but still i feel like giving those bitches a tight slap “PIACK!!” >.
October 14th, 2007 at 9:54 am
think you’re absolutely right in what you said. i think that singaporeans are very ugly in terms of manners and social behaviour. i was talking to 2 of them last night, 2 singaporean girls, and one actually snapped at me because i did not agree that dating should be based on money. she said it was practicality. the behaviour of singaporeans is appalling and shocking. i feel ashamed 90% of the time to be a singaporean
October 19th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I do not believe that this is merely limited to the teenage population; a large number of Singaporeans regardless of age behave this way as well.
Just a few weeks ago, I was on an MRT. An old man, bald and dressed in grey Buddhist monkly robes was hobbling along on a walking stick. When the train arrived, I boarded it and the man hobbled along towards the train. The berk boarded the train just in time but the momentum of the train’s movement threw him off his balance. I hastened to grip his arm and help him gain equilibrium and he settled down.
Suddenly, he gave a forceful shove towards another old guy standing beside him (we were all just next to the door, this other old guy was next to the “window seat”). The monk glared at the man and mumbled something; the man was perplexed, I think he thought I pushed him at first but the monk pushed him again and the second time he clearly saw it.
Next, he turned to the window seat at the opposite end and made for it, the Chinese scholar seated there stood up a bit shocked, and his friend who sat beside him tried to help and settle the old berk down but the man again just forcefully pushed the 2nd Chinese guy.
The Chinese guys were not the only foreigners on the train; there were 2 men of African descent right next to me, one of them in fact tried along with me to settle the old man down when he entered the train. This monk, if he be a Singapore Citizen, is a truly disgusting example of the Ugly Singaporean. All that, in spite of the fact that he is a monk, who is supposed to have spent years of meditation and introspection to find inner peace!
For shame! This monk not only disgraces Singapore, he highlights what organized religion does not and will not achieve- inner peace and enlightenment. Being old and wizened does not then, I think, make you any wiser, maybe you will have more experiences in life but you may just be more stuck in your ways.
November 27th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Our society is doomed seriously.
All kids do now a days when they get together is talk about well other people and well me being raised the great way I was luckily my parents we’re crazy with my mannerism and things around that so I know when enough is enough.
I personally don’t like talking about people even if there not around it leaves a bad after taste in my mouth. If they we’re bad to me or something like that I’d mention it once or twice to myself or a close friend but I wouldn’t go public with it. What I hate the most is when Asians start dissing other people seeing I am one I feel humiliated when they do. When Harry Potter was released me being the big Hp fan I was all for Order of the Phoenix. I got the ticket in advance and was at a midnight showing and there were some kids in costumes of well howgwarts student me being the Asian I am can take costumes without laughing being used to and wanting to do cosplay myself ;) however a group of Asians just started bawling with laughter I was like wow!
I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to start a scene and well I don’t really like telling people from right and wrong, since I don’t feel as if it’s my place in the matter.
But I find it if someone my race or someone close to me at all does something embarrassing I get embarrassed or I feel ashamed I don’t know why maybe because there the same race as me, it’s just unsettling.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Singapore is still better than Jakarta though….
May 14th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I can’t agree more…. I’m a Singaporean myself and I’ve experienced quite a handful of sickening events myself. This one bothers me the most:
I was at the Admiralty MRT Station with my wheelchair-bound grandpa. Guess what happened? When I was about to enter the elevator to the Ticket Concourse, a lot of locals rushed for the door… Hell, that elevator is meant for physically-handicapped people and in a blink of an eye, it’s full of healthy, heartless locals. Man, I can’t believe my eyes….
Back on topic: I agree with DarkMirage… Most of our teenagers’ population(that includes me) do consists of punks and brats who just don’t know how to keep their mouths shut. I’m so ashamed of myself… as a Singaporean.
August 16th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
some singaporeans are just bitches. What they said and did simply deserve others spiting to their ugly faces.