Singapore Files: The Tissue Culture
One of the strangest sights you’ll ever find in Singapore food courts is the rows upon rows of pocket tissues obnoxiously placed on empty desks or seats. If you’ve never been to Singapore, you’ll probably think these tissues are for your use.
Not in a million years.
These pocket tissues, occasionally replaced by umbrellas, are used to reserve seats, so that people may scour for food without worrying about seat availability. It’s an interesting way of making reservations. But more importantly, it’s very reflective of Singaporean culture and mentality. Part of Singapore’s culture is centered around kiasu-ism. Kiasu means “to be afraid to lose” in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect. It’s often used a derogatory term by other Asians to describe the few Singaporeans who engage in inconsiderate, sometimes petty and overly self-centered actions.
Contrary to popular regional opinion, I think kiasu is not a bad mentality to have. Having been working in Singapore for two months, I can proudly proclaim that the kiasu mentality have paved the way to success for the company and for the country. In the name of kiasu, we worked tirelessly to be absolutely prepared. We would over-prepare for everything, and work through almost all possible worst case scenarios. Without that kiasu element in our genes, the first F1 Grand Prix in Singapore wouldn’t have had such raving reviews.
Come to think of it, pocket tissues are pretty useful – be it for running noses or running corporations. But we should perhaps exercise some restraint when it comes to other uses like reserving tables. After all, being called kiasu for the wrong reasons isn’t exactly something to be proud of.
New Category: The Singapore Files
So this is the new category I promised. It’s called ‘The Singapore Files’. I think I might be stoned to death by some blindly patriotic Singaporeans, but I’m just a repatriated third culture kid offering my honest opinion on my country’s culture. It’s not a 100% accurate reflection on Singapore’s diverse culture, but it’s probably a little more objective and a little less hostile.
So are there any quirks with your home culture? What do you like (or not like) about it? Do share!
8 Comments
Economic Freedom
“Economic freedom means the freedom to succeed and the freedom to fail” – Mike Pence
Hold on there, cowboy! Since when was the American economy ‘free’?! If it were free, the American government wouldn’t have forced Microsoft into two. Neither would they need to sign bilateral trade agreements with its neighbors. And don’t forget the billions the government pour into subsidizing farms.
Let’s lose the philosophical bullshit about preserving the principles of a free market economy. Let’s see you preserve philosophy when you lose your means of livelihood and shelter. Let’s see you preserve your abstract economic theories when millions of Americans you become unemployed.
This bailout isn’t about parachuting greedy CEOs and investment bankers; this bailout is about protecting America and the world.
These people should be sent to economic hell if they can’t even understand the difference between idealism and practicality. Yes, it is ideal to preserve your principles, but let’s see you uphold an abstract economic principle from the 50s when your children are hungry.
Subscribe to posts
Subscribe to comments