I will be returning to Singapore tomorrow after staying away for almost 70 days and many friends have asked me what I miss most back home.
I told them its the local food plus of course friends and my elderly mum.
Maybe I am getting old but I do cherish a slower pace of lifestyle and Singapore is sometimes just too fast paced for me.
Of course, what I hate most is the lack of humanity within our society - the lack of a human touch which no Kindness Movement campaign can resolve.
It’s the DNA of the country and many people have complained that Singapore lacks a soul and is only good for making money.
Our competitive nature has robbed us of any humanity and most work places now resemblance a war zone whereby you try to back stab each other in order to climb the corporate ladder.
You perform your best at work, try to return home to your shelter to regroup in the evening and get set for another day of battle at the office – always trying your best not to step on some sensitive important toes to maintain your next pay check.
There is no time for others who are weaker than you as they may pull you down if you slow down and try to provide them your shoulder.
At the train, you are thankful that you have pick out an empty seat and pretend to doze off as someone elderly ambles in front of you – looking around for a kind soul to offer him a seat.
You are just too tired to stand up in the peak morning rush to offer your seat and moreover, someone is sitting at the corner sheltered seat and if that person is not giving up his seat why should you?
You harden your heart and somehow it gets harder whenever the opportunity to be kind slips you by…
People rush by you as if you are invisible, nobody wants to press the lift door for you even though you are trying to get in from the outside and the shop assistants lack the basic courtesy to greet you even though you have bought something from them.
“Hi, I am here – do you see me? Can someone shows me some love and understanding around here?” You often ask when things are down and you have a bad day.
Often, you feel lonely even though you are in a large crowd…
You checked with John – your best friend - to try and fix up a dinner appointment so that you don’t feel so lonely on a Friday night but he is always out with his drinking pals.
Perhaps, John likes to be seen out with a group of successful executives than an ordinary purchasing clerk who could not afford to pay for all the drinks without feeling the pinch.
It took me almost a month the last time I returned home to adjust to our inhuman culture, hopefully this time round it will take lesser time…but I am glad that I have return home nevertheless.
However badly managed the country is, it is still home and where you feel most comfortable.
Though I have enjoyed Sydney every time I am here and will surely miss the great space and weather, it is still not my country.
I will never feel belonged here however grateful I am for the wonderful hospitality the country has shown me.
Hi Gilbert,
I can understand the feelings of what you said, after return back to SG and need to adjust back to the harsh and hard environment mentally. It is so helplessly and feelings of uncomfort that one goes through..
And i guess this society will still become un-humanlitiy as the whole nation goes after materialist stuffs and high GDP growth…anyway, nothings will change at all.
Is just leave it or take it…
down under is perfect for slackers.
Hi Down Under,
Are you crying sour grapes since you cant enjoy what Gilbert rested for 70 days in Sydney ? Can you take leave for 70 days and not get fired from your job in SG ? Well, at least we can do so here in Australia..
Down Under too…
with all the lazy bums in racist down under, that is why the tax rates are high there:
personal income tax rate – 45%
corporate income tax rate : 40%
GST – 10%
Down Under Also,
It is good that you think that we are paying high taxes and that will deter you from coming because this system will not be for you. To be honest, we don’t pay so much taxes here. We get back our money when we do a tax returns. If you are the top earner and claim to have paid 45% tax, you will get back a large chunk of it when you do your tax returns, on top of that, there are a lot of legals ways to claim back tax through properties.
I asked myself these questions too when I left Singapore. Why do we need to live a life where we don’t enjoy it ? if we have a choice most of us will not want live like a robot in our country. But there are sacrifices to be made and not all choices that we made are going to work out. At least at the end of the day we can proudly say to ourselves I have tried rather than be a part of the system that we rather not fit in. I say let’s give it a try and die trying rather than be a coward and complain everyday like what we Singaporean always do..
to summarise – the caucasian majority in western countries (especially in oz) will never accept Asian immigrants as their equals, mate.
Australia has a White Policy till 1975. Do british convicts
Of Australia whom the british chucked them there when they
invaded Australia And took away the land of Australia from aborigines
Feel they are whiter than other european-like people romanians, turks,
Algerians, croatians, slokians, greeks, czecks, russians, etc
How about latin americans?
How about indians ?
How about malays from malaysia ?
Are rich chinese equal to caucasian?
Is it the cultural differences or the looks that make
Them Not equal ?
I dont Asians who migrated to Austalia think
They are not equal to white Australian.
Who are the caucasians? The original descendents
Of british convicts or include all EUropean Union
Member citizens which will exclude the turks for now.
I dont think the rich chinese who migrated to
Australia think they are inferior to white Australia?
Signed off
Sg overseas – chinese origin
No longer living in Australia for more than 20 years
Signed off
Sg overseas
Hi Gilbert,this is the same thing that I felt some time ago. The society may be unforgiving, critical, tough and inhumane. A lot of people may follow the steps of society or got influenced by the negative impact of such a society. We need not worry too much as all things are taken of by God/Karma. Those who reap good deeds will eventually be rewarded by good deeds. Every thing is like Karma and no matter how long the time may take. It will reach one full circle.
I believed those people who feedback about racism or equal are Chinese. They feel “superior” in Singapore because of their race.
I am a Singaporean Chinese and have repented of this synical belief that everyone must be above someone.
When I was working in Singapore, the government allow my MNC to recruit new employees with foreginers, ALL Singaporeans staff are being replaced slowly. I was the last few Singaporean left and I felt like a minority among colleagues.
When I am in Australia, one of my favourite resturant is run by a Singaporean Malay family and we shared so much in common. I understand now how they felt.
That why I don’t have any negative feelings when I am in Australia because it is better to be in Australia and have freedom than to be in Singapore under a foreigner boss who is biased towards his own.
I think the Gen Y feel more betrayed by SG government than our older generations. The Gen Y group are more mobile. The tide are changing if there are any opportunities given to any Gen Y people, we will leave.
I am shocked to hear that Sg chinese feel they
Are superior over other Sg races. You are a disgrace
To Think that is the case.
I was born before 1959 (self govt rule) and we lived
In kampongs for more than 17 years with all races
Well integrated.
On the contrary, i feel a bit superior only after i lived
In UK for a few years in the 1980s.
However, is not the kind of racist superiority as you
Can imagine in White Australia in 1990s where I
Lived for a few years.
Again on the contray, The older generations feel more betrayed
As we are the ones who suffered more than our children
Born after 1990s.
How dare you even believe that Sg chinese do
Have superiority complex in Sg, perhaps you are
And must have gone to an elite school and the local
University and thank goodness, you are migrated to
Australia and not remain be a racist chinese in Singapore
Signed off
Sg overseas
Sg_Global,
I have repented of that view and do not view a disgrace anymore. You can stay in Singapore with your views but please help those Singaporeans who need help.
When Gilbert was in Sydney, we chip what we can to help him. I have learn much from the community here.
Will you do the same for him and those here who need a job in this website ?
At least, many Singaporeans have a choice here – to stay or go. Many in this world do not even have this choice. Choose properly and be happy with the consequences.
If you and family are happy in Spore, stay there but otherwise if you have a choice why dont give it a try…we dont owe S’pore anything if you and family try to have a happy life in another city.As we a born in this world which have many cities on it. Money is important but money cant buy happiness.
Hi Gilbert,
As long as Singapore has people like you, then there is hope for humanity in this country. Stay strong. Be different. Be human, first and foremost
Well written article!
been feeling the same way since I first came to Singapore..
I’m glad to say that at least there is someone like you who realize this.
Do U know why few talking? No more one Singapore! Slaughtered by ‘Muslim Community’ in Facebook! Help keep everybody quiet! Dedicated to
‘Crazy Reporter Parrot’ Did Sin Again With Its Dogs!
http://moonlifeonearth.blogspot.sg/2012/10/crazy-reporter-parrot-did-sin-again.html