Self-centred Singaporeans replied by Genie99a @ Mon, 19 May 2008 14:01:04 +0800

Genie99a — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:01:04 +0800

Originally posted by Melbournite:

i DONT THINK ITS the th country itself to blame. Its the people. In evry country, u will find all kinds of people.

But u cannot generalise everyone as one lump group.

I disagree to some extent fellow Melbournite. The country has to take (part) responsibility for nurturing this attitude in our people. Singapore is highly competitive and a big portion of jobs are inadequate to provide a "comfortable" lifestyle. To be precise I feel for those earning $1-2000/mth.

Added to that the perspective your fellow peers put on you to be "successful" that encourages the "selfish" nature in our people.

I've once asked an aquaintance in a pub what his job was..... his reply was ..... no lar I'm just a air steward. The tone of his voice surprised me. I felt like saying that's a great job lots of perks and a chance to see the world. I told him I'm an office clerk (albeit with a nicer title) .... he then smiled and bought me a drink .... lol??

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by Genie99a @ Mon, 19 May 2008 13:48:45 +0800

Genie99a — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:48:45 +0800

Originally posted by alwaysdisturbed:

i won't rule that out.

i'd seen the worst of caucasians, yet.

i believe we are not the only ungracious souls.

True that. There are equally ungracious people here in Melbourne.

But the general feeling is that the proportion in Sg is higher.

Then of course you have Hong Kongers.... where $ is everything.

Wonder if people have the same feeling in Singapore.... $ is everything

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by Winter cold @ Mon, 19 May 2008 12:49:44 +0800

Winter cold — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:49:44 +0800

Originally posted by silverng:

ok. does anybody have the picture of the bitch Wee Shu Min?

Post it here for all of us to see how she look like

http://mrlim.isthebest.net/2006/10/22/wee-shu-min-is-hot/

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by balance_else_complacent @ Mon, 19 May 2008 10:56:29 +0800

balance_else_complacent — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:56:29 +0800

To TS,

Self-centered is the worse when a person , for his own selfish happiness , salary and personal gains, do injustice to the rest of the people. for examper, there was a fiction story about during Yaponese occupaition, some betrayed their people and sell information to Yaponese who killed those who try to rebell against them. For his personal gains and self preservation, he went against his own kind by doing injustice to them. The more bad he did, they more the Yapons are happy and the faster he got promoted. he very happy. no one dare to touch him as they know he is backed by the Yapons.

Do you know of anyone like this?

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by Alucard101 @ Mon, 19 May 2008 09:11:34 +0800

Alucard101 — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:11:34 +0800

Originally posted by lotus999:

Revealed:
An unacceptable trait
China’s quake throws up an ugly side of Singaporeans that frequently makes them disliked abroad. By Seah Chiang Nee.
May 17, 2008

JUSTIFIABLY or not, the disastrous Sichuan earthquake has sparked off a re-look here at a Singaporean characteristic that overshadows his economic achievement.

In a TV interview, a tourist who just returned unhurt complained angrily about his encounter with airport delay and telephone breakdown at a time when the Chinese were frantically rescuing people.

One viewer commented: “He kept complaining bitterly as if the whole world owed him an explanation about the airport delay.”

Another added: “the man was practically shouting at the camera. His behaviour was really shocking.”

In the face of the terrible suffering, the middle-aged Singaporean’s insensitive complaint about his personal inconvenience spread consternation and a sense of shame among viewers.

It highlighted a trait often attributed to affluent, educated Singaporeans that they have become too self-centred and insensitive to other people’s plights.

After years of social campaigns, tales still abound of people rushing for train seats or refusing to give one up to the elderly, ill treatment of maids, littering or inconsiderate driving.

Many of the offenders are middle-class, young and educated who seem to have little interest in other people’s feelings.

The Singaporean tourist, instead of lending a helping hand, was fuming about his own safety – even after he was safely back home.

“Typical ugly Singaporean the sort that makes other people dislike us – totally self-centred,” said a blogger.

Others disagree, with one defending it as a normal reaction for a foreigner desperate to escape quickly. “He may have put it badly, but he was scared and obviously wanted to return to his family,” he said.

“Realistically speaking, not every one can be highly principled about helping in a disaster in a foreign country,” he added.

Most, however, condemned his insensitivity. “It reflects the overall selfishness and self-centredness of middle-class Singaporeans,” said ‘investor’.

“My general impression is that they are the second most selfish and self-centred people in Asia, next only to Hong Kongers.”

The debate raised the question whether Singapore could be considered a First World city with such boorishness.

A mature, developed country isn’t defined only by wealth and education; it is also about humanity and concern for others.

Several days earlier, a girl who refused to give up a seat (meant for the elderly and the handicapped) to a pregnant woman, called her a “bitch” because she had stared at her and shook her head.

Some blame it on the environment, especially an elitist, each-man-for-himself mentality.

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch” is a theme that has been drilled into every child and adult. A whole generation has grown up believing that if Singaporeans get into trouble, they can expect no help from anyone.

It may be a good teaching for a small city without resources, but it has also spawned an antithesis: If you can expect no help from others, you also do not need to care for others.

“Living in a society where only money talks makes all of us less human and less caring,” says ‘Anonymous’.

Another writer said he was a typically an apathetic, uncaring Singaporean until he went to live in the United States.

“Two years into my stay there and having been offered help by plenty of strangers on the street, I found myself doing the same,” he said.

“The typical Singaporean reaction when they are offered unsolicited help is a suspicious glare. Certainly not encouraging to would-be helpers,” he added.

The person who has the single biggest influence on how Singaporeans think and behave is Lee Kuan Yew. Many of the current leaders and civil servants as well as older Singaporeans, emulate him.

The Minister Mentor has never been too concerned about his own – or Singapore’s – popularity as much as its interests. Giving charity to countries in need, for example, has rarely been its forte.

The political elite, followed by and large by the citizenry, takes after Lee’s generally no-welfare, harshly competitive and unsentimental leadership.

Last year, the “survival of the fittest” type view, believed to prevail among the top elites, burst into a public furore following remarks made by the scholar-daughter of a government MP.

Condemning a young professional, Derek Wee, who wrote about the pressures faced by the common people, the student, Wee Shu Min lambasted the critic as wretched, an idiot and “leech”.

She appeared to be defending the class divide in Singapore or “a tyranny of the capable and the clever” saying that “the only other class is the complement.”

She ended by telling Derek: “Please, get out of my elite uncaring face.”

Her MP father criticised her intemperate language, but supported some of her sentiments expressed.

A nationwide condemnation ensued.

The issue would have ended there if it were just regarded as a teenager’s rants. It was more than that.

Because Shu Min was a scholar designed for a possible leadership role and daughter of a People’s Action Party MP (from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s constituency), it instantly became a political hot potato.

The critics said it reflected a government perception that a class divide was inevitable and may even be necessary to encourage people to strive harder in life.

The target of her invective, Derek Wee, was actually echoing a popular public sentiment when he said Singaporeans were suffering partly because the government failed to understand their plight.

Shu Min’s message was that failures were caused by laziness or lack of capabilities, which the persons themselves were responsible – with no words of support or care for those in need.

yes, singaporeans need to see beyond their little world.

I completely agree.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by pistonf @ Mon, 19 May 2008 00:36:00 +0800

pistonf — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:36:00 +0800

Originally posted by pearlie27:

This is your illusion. They are so entrenched in power that it is almost impossible to get rid of them!

They are entrenched in power because we are giving them the power...it is nt an illusion to say that we can get rid of them...I assure you if they fail to bring us prosperity we will get rid of them in a sec...

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by silverng @ Mon, 19 May 2008 00:10:27 +0800

silverng — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:10:27 +0800

ok. does anybody have the picture of the bitch Wee Shu Min?

Post it here for all of us to see how she look like

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by rokkie @ Sun, 18 May 2008 20:46:16 +0800

rokkie — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:46:16 +0800

because ppl r stressed,so got to be defensive.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by pearlie27 @ Sun, 18 May 2008 18:14:36 +0800

pearlie27 — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:14:36 +0800

Originally posted by pistonf:

I am sorry but i feel that ur arguement holds no water and makes no sense. BUT from what i understand u are blaming the government for causing us to struggle through daily life when they can be making our life easier. But this is merely an assumption on your part is it not?But has it not occured to you that if they could make our life they would?Do you not realise that they are dependent on us to stay in power?therefore they will try to appease us if possible?

This is your illusion. They are so entrenched in power that it is almost impossible to get rid of them!

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by breytonhartge @ Sun, 18 May 2008 13:15:33 +0800

breytonhartge — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:15:33 +0800

I would tend to agree with Melbournite... there are the bad seeds in all walks of life. Sad but true. It just so happens that this time, it picked up on a Singaporean.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by Melbournite @ Sun, 18 May 2008 10:50:02 +0800

Melbournite — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:50:02 +0800

its not very often u find people who are not self centered even if they have a higher quality of life.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by Melbournite @ Sun, 18 May 2008 10:46:21 +0800

Melbournite — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:46:21 +0800

i DONT THINK ITS the th country itself to blame. Its the people. In evry country, u will find all kinds of people.

But u cannot generalise everyone as one lump group.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by charlize @ Sun, 18 May 2008 10:26:32 +0800

charlize — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:26:32 +0800

Life is unpredictable.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by pistonf @ Sun, 18 May 2008 03:19:21 +0800

pistonf — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:19:21 +0800

Originally posted by alwaysdisturbed:

who shapes the country? take a look at MOE's motto - mould the future of the nation?

if we didn't have to struggle to meet day's end everyday, do we need to strive for a monetary lifestyle?

who caused it? i rephrase. who could have made things better and easier for us but did not?

I am sorry but i feel that ur arguement holds no water and makes no sense. BUT from what i understand u are blaming the government for causing us to struggle through daily life when they can be making our life easier. But this is merely an assumption on your part is it not?But has it not occured to you that if they could make our life they would?Do you not realise that they are dependent on us to stay in power?therefore they will try to appease us if possible?

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by alwaysdisturbed @ Sun, 18 May 2008 02:38:27 +0800

alwaysdisturbed — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:38:27 +0800

Originally posted by w.eikaas:

common traits in big city?

i won't rule that out.

i'd seen the worst of caucasians, yet.

i believe we are not the only ungracious souls.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by w.eikaas @ Sun, 18 May 2008 02:35:19 +0800

w.eikaas — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:35:19 +0800

common traits in big city?

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by alwaysdisturbed @ Sun, 18 May 2008 02:17:46 +0800

alwaysdisturbed — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:17:46 +0800

Originally posted by OH-FF:

Most $$$ making charitable organisations are $$$ making becoz they show U what sympathy can help raise their salaries. (Oops.... Funds).

I'm sorry but Singaporeans cannot afford their roofs over their heads. They are on heavy loan and some cannot repay their loans in their employment lifespan.

Their leaders advice them to continue to find other low paid jobs after retrenchment and adjust according to the competitive nature of the realistic world.

not forgetting eat cheaper rice, bread and butter.

maybe when we can't afford electricity, they'll ask us to use candles.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by alwaysdisturbed @ Sun, 18 May 2008 02:16:19 +0800

alwaysdisturbed — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:16:19 +0800

Originally posted by pistonf:

I find the fact that you people condemn LKY’s attitude and method of running the country utterly ridiculous and nonsensical. Is it that difficult to understand it is precisely because we crave for better standard of monetary lifestyle that we have to work so hard and be pragmatic? It is pointless to complain and moan on how cold and uncaring everyone is when it is firstly because of our own greed that we are the way we are. LKY is merely give us what we want… A BETTER MONETARY LIFE… maybe TS should reconsider this fact before he condemns LKY…

who shapes the country? take a look at MOE's motto - mould the future of the nation?

if we didn't have to struggle to meet day's end everyday, do we need to strive for a monetary lifestyle?

who caused it? i rephrase. who could have made things better and easier for us but did not?

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by OH-FF @ Sun, 18 May 2008 01:55:39 +0800

OH-FF — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:55:39 +0800

Most $$$ making charitable organisations are $$$ making becoz they show U what sympathy can help raise their salaries. (Oops.... Funds).

I'm sorry but Singaporeans cannot afford their roofs over their heads. They are on heavy loan and some cannot repay their loans in their employment lifespan.

Their leaders advice them to continue to find other low paid jobs after retrenchment and adjust according to the competitive nature of the realistic world.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by redDUST @ Sun, 18 May 2008 00:25:29 +0800

redDUST — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:25:29 +0800

Originally posted by mancha:

Will Singapore ever be gracious?

The question was put to LKY some months ago. I have to search the archives for this. His answer was like this. Never, he don't think so, but there is no harm trying to do so within the next five years, but not at the expense of economic growth.

So what is the mystery?

Decades ago, in my hey days of package tours to Thailand, I saw at first hand how uncouth Singaporeans can be. Adults and childrens alike. And I saw them in contrast to the Thais' graciousness. Then, the Philippines also find Singaporeans rude, and poke fun at us that we should start another campaign to address that problem.

Whenever there is a disaster, I will always remember the incident of a Singaporean, jumping into a tank of drinking water to bathe. This was during the massive landslide disaster in Thailand.

Will Singaporeans ever be gracious?

Sadly we all know the answer.

Never, because there are other more important matters than pleasantries. This from our government's mouth.

i think it is a question of time....never is too strong a word. it would be a shame if the gap between social grace and material wealth widen further than what it already is today.

i believe LKY was commenting and comparing austria and singapore when that comment was made.

and i don't put myself as part of a government representation on these matters. this is more of a question of personal upbringing.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by mancha @ Sun, 18 May 2008 00:02:14 +0800

mancha — Sun, 18 May 2008 00:02:14 +0800

Will Singapore ever be gracious?

The question was put to LKY some months ago. I have to search the archives for this. His answer was like this. Never, he don't think so, but there is no harm trying to do so within the next five years, but not at the expense of economic growth.

So what is the mystery?

Decades ago, in my hey days of package tours to Thailand, I saw at first hand how uncouth Singaporeans can be. Adults and childrens alike. And I saw them in contrast to the Thais' graciousness. Then, the Philippines also find Singaporeans rude, and poke fun at us that we should start another campaign to address that problem.

Whenever there is a disaster, I will always remember the incident of a Singaporean, jumping into a tank of drinking water to bathe. This was during the massive landslide disaster in Thailand.

Will Singaporeans ever be gracious?

Sadly we all know the answer.

Never, because there are other more important matters than pleasantries. This from our government's mouth.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by redDUST @ Sat, 17 May 2008 23:05:43 +0800

redDUST — Sat, 17 May 2008 23:05:43 +0800

this instance is a singapore society malaise where our immaturity as a nation stands out like a sore thumb. as singaporeans, they need to step up.

it is a known fact LKY takes a hard stand on `humanitarian acts' in singapore's formative years; because singapore itself is not exactly on firm platform yet. in rejecting a larger role of accomodating the vietnamese boat people, i think LKY said that `we must grow calluses in our heart' in this instance. that has changed. the most recent earthquake in northwest china, singapore is the first to offer aid. in fact, it is one of the first few countries to have flown civil defence personnels to assist in the rescue effort. call it a political correct move (and it definitely is), it also shows that singapore is now more confident of its abilities.

for the crude individuals, there is little we can do. with due respects to malaysians or elsewhere citizens, i am sure they too are equally capable of creating a ruckus. perhaps when the singaporean in general grew in its social and grace stature, we will hear less of this.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by pistonf @ Sat, 17 May 2008 22:53:14 +0800

pistonf — Sat, 17 May 2008 22:53:14 +0800

i meant to rebutt 0001100

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by jiayingg @ Sat, 17 May 2008 22:45:34 +0800

jiayingg — Sat, 17 May 2008 22:45:34 +0800

...maybe TS should reconsider this fact before he condemns LKY…

TS nv condemn lah. is others.

Self-centred Singaporeans replied by pistonf @ Sat, 17 May 2008 22:36:08 +0800

pistonf — Sat, 17 May 2008 22:36:08 +0800

I find the fact that you people condemn LKY’s attitude and method of running the country utterly ridiculous and nonsensical. Is it that difficult to understand it is precisely because we crave for better standard of monetary lifestyle that we have to work so hard and be pragmatic? It is pointless to complain and moan on how cold and uncaring everyone is when it is firstly because of our own greed that we are the way we are. LKY is merely give us what we want… A BETTER MONETARY LIFE… maybe TS should reconsider this fact before he condemns LKY…

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