You haven't met people from India and China yet, if that's what you call making use of loop holesgokaden wrote:It's odd that Singaporeans are usually labeled as sterile, by the book, and rigid, mainly due to the education system and style of government.
However, this might be a stereotype specific to the corporate types. If you've ever had to deal with traditional Singaporean sales and business types, you'll find that they are VERY adept at finding loopholes and "alternate" methods to earn a buck. Lots of thinking outside the box from this lot if it involves making money.
This is generally true of Chinese businessmen, be it in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or China also.
Hi, BedokAmerican,BedokAmerican wrote:Jay,
Just out of curiosity, has any government entity here tried to shut down your blog? Or complain about it and/or tell you to remove content?
I remember reading in the newspaper more than a year ago that a blogger in Singapore questioned a lawmaker's involvement with a corporation because that corporation was awarded a government contract. (This type of thing would be totally open to question in many other countries.)
The blogger was ordered to apologize in writing to the lawmaker and told that he/she had to remove the content or get fined. I don't recall exact details, but it was something like that. He/she followed the government's instructions. But it was so obvious that this blogger was being intimidated and no doubt people saw right through this.
On another note, the Singapore Complaints Choir has a hilarious video on YouTube that's a few years old but the caption on YouTube says it can't get approval to perform in public. But on the flip side, there's a stage play or movie that was showing on Sentosa Island that pokes fun at national service that's permitted. I saw the ad on the side of a taxicab and burst out laughing and thought, "maybe there is a sense of humor here."
If I were you, and arguably playing with fire, I'd make sure as hell I had my English precisely as I meant it.jaysufc23 wrote: They are unable to force me to remove any content, since I phrase my words in a way that will negate any "defamation" claims.
For example, instead of saying "Singapore is corrupted", phrase it like this "There have been lots of allegations that corruption is rife in Singapore, and whether you believe them or not is up to your indiscretion, however, I will be obliged to believe that the following assertion is true."
Phrasing of your words can make a real difference in authoritarian Singapore.
Nope, I do mean indiscretion. To use the word "discretion" essentially means you're claiming the individual has good judgement, by using "indiscretion", the chances of the Singapore's regime misinterpreting the situation will be minimal.JR8 wrote:If I were you, and arguably playing with fire, I'd make sure as hell I had my English precisely as I meant it.jaysufc23 wrote: They are unable to force me to remove any content, since I phrase my words in a way that will negate any "defamation" claims.
For example, instead of saying "Singapore is corrupted", phrase it like this "There have been lots of allegations that corruption is rife in Singapore, and whether you believe them or not is up to your indiscretion, however, I will be obliged to believe that the following assertion is true."
Phrasing of your words can make a real difference in authoritarian Singapore.
- you meant 'discretion', rather than it's opposite (quite an ironic typo though!)
- what 'following assertion', you don't make any following assertion?
I'm not addressing the opinion you're seeking to convey, just pointing out that if you have what might be considered a controversial position, one should proceed with great care.
if you think you're right, you're right, right? right!jaysufc23 wrote:Nope, I do mean indiscretion. To use the word "discretion" essentially means you're claiming the individual has good judgement, by using "indiscretion", the chances of the Singapore's regime misinterpreting the situation will be minimal.JR8 wrote:If I were you, and arguably playing with fire, I'd make sure as hell I had my English precisely as I meant it.jaysufc23 wrote: They are unable to force me to remove any content, since I phrase my words in a way that will negate any "defamation" claims.
For example, instead of saying "Singapore is corrupted", phrase it like this "There have been lots of allegations that corruption is rife in Singapore, and whether you believe them or not is up to your indiscretion, however, I will be obliged to believe that the following assertion is true."
Phrasing of your words can make a real difference in authoritarian Singapore.
- you meant 'discretion', rather than it's opposite (quite an ironic typo though!)
- what 'following assertion', you don't make any following assertion?
I'm not addressing the opinion you're seeking to convey, just pointing out that if you have what might be considered a controversial position, one should proceed with great care.
The "assertion" refers to "Singapore is corrupted".
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