Singapore
The centre of universe?
Many Singaporeans seem to think it, anyway - discusses this interesting chat on SammyBoy forum.
Dec 28, 2006

From StingWasp
When I am in Singapore, why do I get the feedback that Sporeans think that Singapore is the centre of the universe?

It is just like the early Christians who thought that the sun revolved around the earth.
Singaporeans think that whatever happens in Singapore has far reaching consequences worldwide.

But the truth is that not many know much about Singapore except that "oh, you cannot chew gum, or you have the police watching if you flush the public toilet".

Please tell me honestly do Singaporeans still think that Singapore is the centre of the universe.

From qbuster
I have visited Singapore many times. Most Singaporeans are okay, particularly those that have accepted their lot in life.

However, there is a small minority that has a superior-inferior complex. These are the ones with some education and have a very western-minded view.

While they may speak decent English, it is not good enough to be global English that everyone understands (think ABC news network English).

So they speak a very clipped form of English that is neither EU nor North American, nor is it Chinglish. Your famous SPG-Isabella X/Tan is a good example for that accent.

We have a few Singaporeans here ... and they do not assimilate well. Not "white/black" enough to be North American, or Chinese enough to be accepted by those from Hong Kong, they tend to be drawn towards the Chinese mainlanders and Taiwanese (since Mandarin is a common denominator).

They can't seem to get along with the Malaysians nor Indonesians.

They feel superior to their fellow international students and are often bad-mouthing them, yet they feel they cannot measure up (i.e. inferior) to the native North Americans (whites, blacks, asians).

My most humourous experience was a student picking up black-speak and trying to dress like they are from the slums of inner cities.

It is actually hard to teach these kids. They are very bright with facts and numbers, but when asked to articulate their own ideas they struggle.

They also feel the need to show up the classmates, and are not very good team players. There is this inherent competitiveness, which is pervasive.

When I have met up with a few of my former students in my trips through Asia, they are very hospitable and always welcomed me to a huge meal and banquet.

Surprisingly they never fail to tell me how much the meals are or how important they are in society - I do have a few former students who are policy advisors to the government.

And they like to reminisce yet they aren't much to reminisce about as they often do not participate in campus life and if they did, they would with their own types.

Love it when they asked about their "favourite" football team, when in fact they care less about football.

Most talk to me as though Singapore is a regional and global powerhouse, when in reality it is not very significant.

I love our few discusssions on Singapore's policies on Iraq and Afghanistan and how they are affecting Bush's popularity.

As far as I know, there are no Singaporean soldiers serving in either of these countries.
So, yeah ... I tend to agree. Singaporeans do have a poorly placed sense of importance that seemed innate to the Singaporean psyche.
Sorry for the blunt assessment.

From nivaasah
Stingwasp,
It all starts from the top. We have a self-absorbed gahmen (government) in place that sets an excellent example. Every now and then, making uncalled for statements about themselves 'Oh, we are so unique...we don't need a free press, we are above board, have a unique democracy yada, yada, yada".

This gahmen sincerely believes it is unique and something to be emulated by all.
Hell, it's promoting and selling its "unique" economic and political circumstances to other countries as a consultant.

No wonder, Singaporeans think they are the centre of the universe, an example for the world to follow!

China888
Correct.
If you go overseas, ask the people where singapore is, you will find singapore is, if not a rubbish country, at least is a country people don't pay any attention to, but it is totally different case when related to Switzerland. BTW the only country in which the people know Singapore very well is China

Angry_One
This is a direct consequence of the local media's monopoly, which never lets up a chance to glorify Singapore's achievements, rankings and milestones.

How can we blame the majority who developed over-inflated egos as a result? And take the locally-produced news, government policies etc. as gospel truth?

As my PAP-supporter friends tell me - our Parliament is made up of the best. They are top students in the world's leading institutions.

Therefore they have far more foresight and insight than commoners. Therefore Singapore's development is based on highest standards of excellence and vision.

Beng & Seng
You are right.. many Sporeans who had not stepped outside of Singapore (not as a tourist), will always think they are the 'best', the 'greatest', the 'centre of the world'... how Singapore is immune from the world', and when things happen it is 'always due to external factors'

The reality is.. no one really bothers to report any Singapore news. Singapore can sink with its 4.5m people and the world will still live on.

This is not really the fault of the people, but the result of the constant brain-washing from the official media, justifing the obscene salaries of the hand-picked few. It is the fault of the people, when they believe the propaganda filth.
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