alot of growing up to do posted on Thursday, September 01, 2005
A business strategy Professor from Korea was working here for a year on secondment and when he left he was asked what he thought of Singapore's chances in the future. He said that Singaporeans were like animal in a zoo - they look like the real thing , make all the right noises but would never survive in the wild.
And its true, the whole kiasu thing is so naive, childlike. Much of the time we are witnessing (and whinging about ) playground type behaviours- grabbing the food, pushing in. I think of it as a society that is like an adolescent - much to learn but think you know it all, no real responsibility cos someone makes all the decisions for you, believe that you are the centre of the universe,dont care about others feelings, only care about appearances,stress about trivia, "life isnt fair". Sound familiar?
I cant believe how many Singaporeans tell me how stressed their lives are. They ask me how I find the stressful lifestyle in Singapore compared to London It is a question that never fails to make me laugh.
I feel that Singapore just has a lot of growing up to do. And if we want to be here to help with that process Im afraid we just have to get used to the immature behaviour. Lets just hope the table manners improve with age!"
http://www.singapore-forum.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=7605&page=4
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"I try to deal with it by remembering that Singapore is still a small sheltered insular place where many are still like frogs in a well. The secretaries that organise my trips abroad just cant get it into their heads that taxis are not like they are in Singapore in all other parts of Asia. Single woman alone - just hail one and tell him where you want to go surely?
A business strategy Professor from Korea was working here for a year on secondment and when he left he was asked what he thought of Singapore's chances in the future. He said that Singaporeans were like animal in a zoo - they look like the real thing , make all the right noises but would never survive in the wild.
And its true, the whole kiasu thing is so naive, childlike. Much of the time we are witnessing (and whinging about ) playground type behaviours- grabbing the food, pushing in. I think of it as a society that is like an adolescent - much to learn but think you know it all, no real responsibility cos someone makes all the decisions for you, believe that you are the centre of the universe,dont care about others feelings, only care about appearances,stress about trivia, "life isnt fair". Sound familiar?
I cant believe how many Singaporeans tell me how stressed their lives are. They ask me how I find the stressful lifestyle in Singapore compared to London It is a question that never fails to make me laugh.
I feel that Singapore just has a lot of growing up to do. And if we want to be here to help with that process Im afraid we just have to get used to the immature behaviour. Lets just hope the table manners improve with age!"
http://www.singapore-forum.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=7605&page=4
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