Kiasuism and the city that never sleeps
Here are some amusing pictures I got off the internet that makes a comparison between Asians, or Singaporeans in general, with westerners.
It’s just a generalization, so don’t be too offended! If anything, I hope it makes your day. Feel free to show it to your AM boss!
Talk about quality of life, I’ve realized that after coming to Australia, I actually have the time to sit down on the couch at my apartment’s balcony, take in the morning sun, enjoy a cup of coffee and kick back and relax.
Back in Singapore, I had so much time, but I had no time. Am I making sense? There’s a million and one things bombarding me 24/7- Cable TV, internet, facebook, twitter, handphone, enjoying life, going out shopping and chilling, everything associated with a city that never sleeps.
I may be only a student, but I’m worried I’m starting to be worriedly worry about climbing the corporate ladder, saving for a car, thinking (more like worrying) about mortgage, kids education, elderly parents, CPF, medisave, saving for retirement, and the list goes on. Symptomatic of Kiasuism?
—Continued below—
Westerners: When elderly, there’s the opportunity to enjoy, take it easy and walk the dog after dinner
Asians: When elderly, no chance to enjoy the sunset after dinner because have to take care of grandson, send him for tuition, piano lesson, tennis lesson, calligraphy lesson, and then tuck him to bed to be awake at 5am the next morning
Westerners: One great meal a day suffices.
Asians: Live to eat. Live to eat. Live to eat.
Westerners: No problem being individualistic.
Asians: No chance you’ll catch me having meals or taking the bus home alone!
Westerners: Conflict resolution means confidently approaching and solving problems
Asians: Siam problems at all cost, best never to be involved but be kaypoh
Westerners: Population density 2.84people/km2. I can have East coast beach all to myself!
Asians: Population density of 6,814people/km2 and counting. Talk about 1 million visitors at Tampines One, still want to add foreign talent!
Westerners: Orderly and organized queues
Asians: Queue, what queue?
Westerners: Cc only the related person
Asians: Cc and Bcc everyone, even the janitor and tea lady
Westerners: I am angry and it shows on my face.
Asians: I am angry but my face shows a smile, but the smile hide dagger （笑里藏刀）
Westerners: Direct & straight to the point
Asians: 啊公讲故.
Westerners: Love healthy, low cost Asian cuisine
Asians: Love western cuisine, even if they’re expensive
Westerners: Always on time
Asians: Just in time
Westerners: Boss is ‘one of us’
Asians: Boss is god. god is boss.
Westerners: Travel to enjoy, and get immersed in the culture and scenery
Asians: Travel to take pictures. Enjoying the scenery is secondary.
Westerners: Parents don’t need to depend on their kids when they’re old.
Asians: Parents better hope their kids don’t put them in an old folks home, or ship them to Johor Bahru because elderly homes are cheaper. What a great idea by Sinkapore’s capable Health minister Khaw Boon Wan.
Westerners before: Drive cars. Now: Cycle for environmental reasons
Asians before: Cycle because no money. Now: Drive because of convenience.
These pictures may be just a generalization, but I think some of them really reflect the culture and way of life in the two different ethnic groups.
— Continued from above —
Here in Australia, I feel that I can take life everyday as it comes. Things go that much slower, life comes to a relative standstill after 5pm, but is it really all that bad?
You get to really enjoy uni life, or engage yourself in whatever ‘life’ you presently are living. Feel free to drop and take uni courses that interest you, instead of accounting or medicine just because mum said so. Take a gap year holiday, work at a fruit farm, backpack around Europe, see the world, sleep at a train station, get held at knife point at Russia, then come back to Australia to complete your degree at 23.
You don’t spend 50 years of your life being kiasu, trying to be better than the average joe on the street. As a parent you don’t spend your life trying to outdo every other parent by sending your kid for the best tuition and the elitist of most elite school.
You probably won’t grow up with the mindset that career is everything. If you love Greenpeace or have some burning issue you want to picket against the government for, your old man won’t think you’re crazy if you forsake your hard earned career and be a full time activist. A western parent will probably support you on your demonstration against the government, while a Singaporean parent will insist you not be so nosey and obediently be another digit in your 8-5 job.
Granted everyone should strive to be their best and be a realist, but is it worth it to subscribe to the kiasuism mentality that is Singapore for the rest of my life?
