Singapore: Most unfriendly country in SEA
Rethinam Sabapathy
beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd Kissler) wrote:
>Hi,
>Just in order to slightly alter the topic about SIN.
>We have been to Singapore and Malaysia a number of times (last time Jan
>this year). We found that the Singaporeans have become increasingly
>unfriendly and condescendent towards caucasians (we have no idea how they
>treat each other.) In 24 hours we have not seen one smiling face except
>when buying something.
>The same holds for Malaysia, though less pronounced. It appears that the
>economic success of the tiger states has gone to their heads.
>If we can avoid it to stop over in Singapore we shall do so. We rather
>spend our money down under where we feel welcome even if we don't spend
>money.
>Australia, Australia, über alles in der Welt.
>P.S.
>Just to correct the German phrase posted under Singapore:Safest country in SEA:
>It does not read: > Singapur, Singapur ueber alles!! Ueber alles an diese Welt.
>but: (Deutschland) Singapore über alles, über alles in der Welt.
Did someone in Singapore punch you nose? We can't go around smiling 24 hours a
day. Will get cheek muscle cramps. The people of the tiger states are sweeter
inside.
There are many places where smiles are sold for as low as a kupang a kati. Go
spend your money there.
Sabapathy
Roger Thomas
On Sat, 18 May 1996 18:28:08 +0200, beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd
Kissler) wrote:
>Hi,
>Just in order to slightly alter the topic about SIN.
>We have been to Singapore and Malaysia a number of times (last time Jan
>this year). We found that the Singaporeans have become increasingly
>unfriendly and condescendent towards caucasians (we have no idea how they
>treat each other.) In 24 hours we have not seen one smiling face except
>when buying something.
Obviuosly knew you were German and treated you accordingly,( like the
Germans do to those who visit their country - ask any ethnic minority
that hasnt yet been burnt out of their accommodation) I have ALWAYS
found S'poreans friendly, helpful and willing to welcome caucasians
and anyone else for that matter.
>The same holds for Malaysia, though less pronounced. It appears that the
>economic success of the tiger states has gone to their heads.
And they can feel justifiably proud of that success too.
>If we can avoid it to stop over in Singapore we shall do so. We rather
>spend our money down under where we feel welcome even if we don't spend
>money.
Floods of tears will be shed. And I thought the Aussies were such a
discerning lot. Standards have obviuosly fallen.
>Australia, Australia, über alles in der Welt.
Nope. Tried singing it and it doesnt sound right.
>Just to correct the German phrase posted under Singapore:Safest country in SEA:
>It does not read: > Singapur, Singapur ueber alles!! Ueber alles an diese Welt.
>but: (Deutschland) Singapore über alles, über alles in der Welt.
Only in your dreams liebling. Kohl would love to have the half the
prosperity of S'pore.
Johnny
Dr. Bernd Kissler,
The number of visitors to Singapore has been increasing over the years.
Over a million every year. Imagine a place like Singapore where you
don't find much natural scenery. We are still one of the popular tourist
attractions in this region. Other than tourism, we also have business
travelers and official delegations. Well, my view is that some of the
considerations for many foreign visitors to pick Singapore are cleaninss
of the State and friendliness of the people here.
Cheers, Johnny
Matthew
My folks visited me here and they were fully impressed by the friendliness of everyone.
Plus the fact that everything works. How many times have we all gone off on some jalan
around the region and been happy to come home where everything works and people don't
say yes to every question even when there's no chance in hell they can do what you ask.
Of course people aren't so mega impressed by ang mohs any more. There's so many of us
around. When I first came here in November 92 I was the only ang moh in the whole of Toa
Payoh. Then I came back after a year in Sri Lanka and soon enough the place is a wash
with us. What do expect? It's boom town central. (Not Toa Payoh, the whole of
Singapore.) In every bus or MRT coach there's at least one ang moh going to work or
getting on with their lives. And it's not as if HDB life is some great hardship, I'm
getting fat, prosperous and soft.
So it's not as if people here are being unfriendly all of a sudden. It's just that,
quite understandibly, we don't get special treatment. We're nothing new. We get treated
just like everyone else, except people are always willing to tell me about the their
opinion of the best hawker stall, because they know I'm an ang moh who seriously enjoys
Singaporean makan.
Are Singaporeans rude to ang mohs? Not in my experience. I've been invited to peoples'
houses, fed, taken out for drinks, built up relationships and been given the chance to
make the most of every opportunity. Singapore's done me proud and I owe her a great deal
of thanks.
I'd never be doing what I'm doing now, back home. And I'd call that rather impressive
hospitality.
Matthew
lee wcsh
beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd Kissler) wrote:
snip snip
>We found that the Singaporeans have become increasingly
>unfriendly and condescendent towards caucasians (we have no idea how they
>treat each other.) In 24 hours we have not seen one smiling face except
>when buying something.
: ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
zhang zhiyao
Roger Thomas (rog...@langland.demon.co.uk) [Sat, 18 May 1996 21:47:13 GMT] <soc.culture.australian>:
#On Sat, 18 May 1996 18:28:08 +0200, beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd
#Kissler) wrote:
#>Hi,
#>Just in order to slightly alter the topic about SIN.
#>We have been to Singapore and Malaysia a number of times (last time Jan
#>this year). We found that the Singaporeans have become increasingly
#>unfriendly and condescendent towards caucasians (we have no idea how they
#>treat each other.) In 24 hours we have not seen one smiling face except
#>when buying something.
#Obviuosly knew you were German and treated you accordingly,( like the
#Germans do to those who visit their country - ask any ethnic minority
#that hasnt yet been burnt out of their accommodation) I have ALWAYS
#found S'poreans friendly, helpful and willing to welcome caucasians
#and anyone else for that matter.
Roger, perhaps you could care to remove that foot from your mouth, as it
very obviously is restricting your vision (amongst other things). Bernd is
not German, but Dutch.
I will not speak about Singaporeans being racist towards people of
Caucasian appearence, as I can offer no first hand experience on this
matter. But there certainly is no doubt that many Chinese Singaporeans
are very racist towards non-Chinese Oriental peoples.
Read back on this and a couple of other related threads. I believe enough
has been said. And do remove that foot from your mouth - it will help.
cheers, alex
Craig Welch
alex...@ipp-garching.mpg.de (zhang zhiyao) wrote:
>
>I will not speak about Singaporeans being racist towards people of
>Caucasian appearence, as I can offer no first hand experience on this
>matter.
As a caucasian living in Singapore I feel well accepted wherever I go.
Cheers,
Craig
Archon
On Sun, 19 May 1996 13:33:11 -0700, Matthew <brai...@singnet.com.sg>
wrote:
>So it's not as if people here are being unfriendly all of a sudden. It's just that,
>quite understandibly, we don't get special treatment. We're nothing new. We get treated
>just like everyone else, except people are always willing to tell me about the their
>opinion of the best hawker stall, because they know I'm an ang moh who seriously enjoys
>Singaporean makan.
Actually, we'd do that with anyone who asks or show interest in food. Its
perhaps our national passion.
Regards,
Steven Lim
http://www.singnet.com.sg/~archon
*************************************************************************
Call a rose by any other name and it'll still prick you with its thorns.
*************************************************************************
red red wine
Oh really?
I dont remembre a caucasian smile to me for 48 hours, when I
visited Australia recently. The same can be said of France, Germany
and Sweden. England is better and so is Italy.
Dr. Bernd Kissler wrote:
>
> Hi,
> Just in order to slightly alter the topic about SIN.
> We have been to Singapore and Malaysia a number of times (last time Jan
> this year). We found that the Singaporeans have become increasingly
> unfriendly and condescendent towards caucasians (we have no idea how they
> treat each other.) In 24 hours we have not seen one smiling face except
> when buying something.
> The same holds for Malaysia, though less pronounced. It appears that the
> economic success of the tiger states has gone to their heads.
> If we can avoid it to stop over in Singapore we shall do so. We rather
> spend our money down under where we feel welcome even if we don't spend
> money.
> Australia, Australia, über alles in der Welt.
>
> P.S.
Touch Me Not
red red wine wrote:
>
> Oh really?
> I dont remembre a caucasian smile to me for 48 hours, when I
> visited Australia recently. The same can be said of France, Germany
> and Sweden. England is better and so is Italy.
>
You should be please that they didnt shoot you up like those Tasmanian tourists
got their butts blown off fleeing.
You want a smile in australia? Dream On.....
Tse Mun Wai Sherry
dear dr.
it's real nice of you to notice that we s'poreans don't smile that often
well maybe there just isn't that much to smile to? i.e. you?
and is smiling a litmus test to friendliness?
many aussies smile when they hurl racist remarks too
by the way: danke fur nichts!
Benjamin
red red wine (red...@liquor.com.sg) wrote, and I quoth ...
: Oh really?
: I dont remembre a caucasian smile to me for 48 hours, when I
: visited Australia recently. The same can be said of France, Germany
: and Sweden. England is better and so is Italy.
Hang on. The issue here is not about other people smiling at us as
tourists, it's about us and how tourists perceive us.
I won't say that Singaporeans, on the whole, go around smiling at
caucasian (or otherwise) tourists the live-long day ; you'd probably have to
lobotomize the entire population to achieve that. =)
That said, the "front-line" people who work in the tourist industry should
know to service their customers, even if it's something as simple as
courtesy and smiles. After all, a happy customer is a returning customer.
And you can't buy that kind of good publicity which spreads by word of
mouth, either. Unfortunately, not everyone who is in the tourist line has
grasped this simple fact yet.
--
Benjamin Chee in the 'Sity <Benjam...@t-i-p.com>
Homepage <http://infinity.resnet.cornell.edu/ben/benjamin.html>
Gillian Anderson Photo Gallery <http://www.t-i-p.com/gapg/gallery.html>
"Die dulci fruere." 'Have a nice day.'
Herdy
Rethinam Sabapathy (sai...@singnet.com.sg) wrote:
: beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd Kissler) wrote:
:
Been there plenty of times myself, and I didn't have the problems this
chappy had.
I find Singaporeans the friendliest and most polite people on Earth.
(mind you I won't complain about him spending his money in Oz. Come to
Newcastle mate. 19 beaches, vineyards, parks, etc etc.)
--
Cheers,
Herdy.
==============================================================================
Jon Herd
Newcastle NSW Australia
email: c940...@alinga.newcastle.edu.au
he...@ozemail.com.au
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Twas a Woman who drove me to drink and I never had the decency
To write and thank her" W C Fields, 1929
==============================================================================
LIcENsEd tO bE InSaNE
beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd Kissler) wrote:
>
><Kohl would love to have the half the prosperity of S'pore.
>So would Major and the Queen and a few more countries. But don't worry,
>mate, business people of all nations have never any scruples signing deals
>with countries who defy human rights.
You included?
Blah blah blah.....so this is what it is. If you want to take a hit at
this human rights issue post it under a proper header, don't start by
saying this country is most unfriendly, most unethical, most naive,
most arrogant.....then when some of them gave reasons for it you go
back to the line 'Oh? But they defy human rights there' or many other
one-liners.
Sheesh talk about pathetic.
/* Since I had such a hard time finding the right sig, I decided to do this*/
main(){
FILE *i;
if((i=fopen(<insert you fav .sig here>,"rb"))!=NULL){
while(!feof(i)) printf("%c",getc(i));
} /*anyone care to try? I only remember how to deal with binary file :p*/
icsdg28
You do not understand the Chinese culture. Why be friendly to people we
have no relationships with ? There is something wrong or needy with
people who are instantly friendly and personal with you. I say 'Keep your
distance'. We are not friends until we know each other.
Red Bean Bun
That's life. It happens all over the world to different people.
On Sat, 18 May 1996, Dr. Bernd Kissler wrote:
> Hi,
> Just in order to slightly alter the topic about SIN.
> We have been to Singapore and Malaysia a number of times (last time Jan
> this year). We found that the Singaporeans have become increasingly
> unfriendly and condescendent towards caucasians (we have no idea how they
> treat each other.) In 24 hours we have not seen one smiling face except
> when buying something.
> The same holds for Malaysia, though less pronounced. It appears that the
> economic success of the tiger states has gone to their heads.
> If we can avoid it to stop over in Singapore we shall do so. We rather
> spend our money down under where we feel welcome even if we don't spend
> money.
> Australia, Australia, =FCber alles in der Welt.
>=20
> P.S.
> Just to correct the German phrase posted under Singapore:Safest country i=
n SEA:
> It does not read: > Singapur, Singapur ueber alles!! Ueber alles an diese=
Welt.
> but: (Deutschland) Singapore =FCber alles, =FCber alles in der Welt.
>=20
>=20
Andy Capp
In article <bekissler-220...@willemspark-05.denhaag.dataweb.nl>,
beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd Kissler) wrote:
> In article <4nr0hg$8...@seagoon.newcastle.edu.au>,
> c940...@alinga.newcastle.edu.au (Herdy) wrote:
>
>
> > I find Singaporeans the friendliest and most polite people on Earth.
>
> As long as you spend your money they will love you.
Sounds like every country I've been too. Especially in Europe where
Japanese ass kissingin the designer boutiques has taken gigantic
proportions.
Andy Capp
In article <bekissler-200...@spui-07.denhaag.dataweb.nl>,
beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd Kissler) wrote:
> Smiling at someone is just one expression of friendliness, being rude and
> lying to guests is a sign of unfriendliness.
Some stupid bad experiences and you've become a Singapore expert. If only
the whole world could be summed up in the time space of a tourist vacation.
> You can bet that we spend our money elsewhere.
Bye-bye! <wave. wave>
Andy Capp
In article <bekissler-220...@willemspark-05.denhaag.dataweb.nl>,
beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd Kissler) wrote:
> I used the phrase "smiling" as a metaphore for politeness. I gladly admit
> that there are many countries in the world whom I consider unfriendly,
> both to foreigners and to natives. I do not even exempt my own mother
> country. Does it help ? I guess not because it does not alleviate the fact
> that Singaporeans have become increasingly materialistic and arrogant
> towards each other (confirmed by native Singaporeans) and foreigners over
> the last 10 years.
Duh. So what? What's it to you?
Leng Huei, Tan
beki...@dataweb.nl (Dr. Bernd Kissler) wrote:
><Kohl would love to have the half the prosperity of S'pore.
>So would Major and the Queen and a few more countries. But don't worry,
>mate, business people of all nations have never any scruples signing deals
>with countries who defy human rights.
Yawn. like Germany defying UN sanctions against South Africa during
apartheid.
>--
>Best regards,
>Bernd Kissler
>Home Page: Immigration to Australia (http://www.dataweb.nl/~bekissler/index.html)
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> The stupidity of the human race and the universe are both infinite -
> in which I am not so sure about the latter.
> Albert Einstein
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
:) Longhui
Membari
What do you expect from that Nazi stuka-flying guy!