Singaporeans and Caucasians

[shihna]

The initial first 6 months of my relationship, I went through a phase where I was very self-conscious when going out with him - particularly when at Clark Quay or Orchard! To the point where I couldn't even hold hands with him or walk too close to him - and yes there were times I wished he were asian - then one day I just thought - why the hell should I bother with how people see us?

There were times when I've been mistaken for a PRC or a Filipina mistress - usually by taxi driver uncles. Sigh. I used to get annoyed but nowadays I am just amused and let it slide. There are times when the taxi driver asks really personal questions in mandarin or hokkien and expected me to humor him.

One incident, the taxi uncle was like
'so how - i heard ang moh better than our local guys hor'
in hokkien. I replied 'huh?'
he then said 'aiya you know lah...eh..why you so shy? so how you know this ang moh? club? or work?'

At which point I replied him in english, 'sorry uncle - my hokkien not very good and i don't speak mandarin!'

Sometimes their questions just leaves me flabbergasted.

I always tease my bf that ya, ppl may assume I am a bar girl or spg, but then again - that also means you look like a guy who would pay for such services - and one on a budget too!

yll90 wrote:
I would definitely date a caucasian guy if I have the chance. Sigh..


***
try it, and after a while you'll probably wish your Caucasian boyfriend was Asian.


if my guy were Asian,
I can dress in any camisole, tank-top, 'revealing' clothes without looking like a SPG, and would not get any funny stares from other locals, especially local (and some expat) girls. they are particularly hawkish, giving you the stare-down to assess whether I am 'legit'.

so I dress in tee-shirt and jeans when out with my (unfortunately) white boyfriend.

silly, yes, but with all honesty it is very exhausting when heading out anywhere crowded. of course I have grown a second skin many years ago, but it is always never thick enough.

the colour of our skins are all too overrated. and so is 'wanting to date a caucasian man'. if my guy were Asian, I'd love him just the same, just as much, but probably feel lighter on my shoulders when we head out, a little more anonymous.

[tatuanui]

Hi.
I have been living here since April.
I am caucasian and blonde and I can't say I've had any problems. Nobody seems to even notice I've even walked in the room let alone stares or makes fun because I'm not asian. Some little kids stare but maybe they haven't seen many white-folks except on TV.
I'm not even living in areas that are popular for ex-pats so I probably stick out!
Or maybe I'm just blissfully ignorant!
Ah ignorance can be bliss...

[Jeppo]

Or maybe I'm just blissfully ignorant!

Well you are blonde...

[tatuanui]

Or maybe I'm just blissfully ignorant!

Well you are blonde...

Hahaha yes, this is true!

[jimmy12]

Hi marc,

i think that is an exceptional case. Most singaporeans are friendly especially those hawker stalls owners. They will try to talk to you and make you feel comfortable if they noticed that you are not a local. Maybe doing the ist move of greeting them a simple hi or hello will make them feel gulity.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi marc,

i think that is an exceptional case. Most singaporeans are friendly especially those hawker stalls owners. They will try to talk to you and make you feel comfortable if they noticed that you are not a local. Maybe doing the ist move of greeting them a simple hi or hello will make them feel gulity.

I wonder what the chances are of marc reading this? He wrote that as an unregistered guest in 2003! that's 6 years ago. I think I know why you are being screwed by your employer now.

[littlegreenman]

Hi marc,

i think that is an exceptional case. Most singaporeans are friendly especially those hawker stalls owners. They will try to talk to you and make you feel comfortable if they noticed that you are not a local. Maybe doing the ist move of greeting them a simple hi or hello will make them feel gulity.

I wonder what the chances are of marc reading this? He wrote that as an unregistered guest in 2003! that's 6 years ago. I think I know why you are being screwed by your employer now.

That is some funny sh1t indeed

[EADG]

I doubt you'd get the chance for the first move - more like they will accost you to squat at their stall, then charge you the ang moh rate

ever try to run the gauntlet at Newton while trying to show visitors a slice of life?

after 5-6 times, it was never again a few years ago and I've yet to go back

Most ....are friendly especially those hawker stalls owners. They will try to talk to you and make you feel comfortable if they noticed that you are not a local. Maybe doing the ist move of greeting them a simple hi or hello will make them feel gulity.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hawkers centre folk are as friendly as a school of circling barracuda that haven't eaten in a week!

Did you ever notice how a piranha always looks to be smiling just before you are reduced to a skeleton in 60 seconds or less!

[Addadude]

I've always found the guys at my neighborhood hawker centre to be very friendly.

The prata man always remembers that I am 2 kosong and 1 egg while my Significant Other's order is always 1 kosong, one egg. The sarabat stall man knows that I like my teh aliah tarek while she likes teh aliah only. The nasi lemak lady always fries our eggs on the spot. The fruits stall uncle always charges me "$30" for the two drinks that I buy from him. The curry rice man calls me "Chris Benoit" (because, to him anyway, I look like that particular pro wrestler... who happened to kill his wife and son in a drunken rage...) And the chicken porridge hawker lives one floor below me.

[Strong Eagle]

I've always found the guys at my neighborhood hawker centre to be very friendly.

The prata man always remembers that I am 2 kosong and 1 egg while my Significant Other's order is always 1 kosong, one egg. The sarabat stall man knows that I like my teh aliah tarek while she likes teh aliah only. The nasi lemak lady always fries our eggs on the spot. The fruits stall uncle always charges me "$30" for the two drinks that I buy from him. The curry rice man calls me "Chris Benoit" (because, to him anyway, I look like that particular pro wrestler... who happened to kill his wife and son in a drunken rage...) And the chicken porridge hawker lives one floor below me.

Agreed. I always get the same thing at my hawker center. They make the thumbs up then laugh when I nod yes. My second fav joint always gives me extra meat... I've never asked for it.

[littlegreenman]

Agreed, if you are a regular they are very friendly. As soon as they see arrive at the Jln Kayu Prata they start preparing our order without even asking.

I think in general this has to do with the fact that we Caucasians are loyal and return once we like the food at a place while if you are a Singaporean you will always say: "yes it was nice, I might come back here." In the end though they never do return as their mission is to try every food place island-wide. That is why you also have that many restaurants in the city opening, then it is mentioned on tv or the newspaper and everybody rushes there. One year later they close because nobody came back.

[morenangpinay]

its getting tiring to answer why date foreign guys ..i just tell them yes im racist.

[EADG]

actually though the other main reason is I never cared for what passes for food in those places, or the lack of cleanliness

the prata guy throwing down oil with his bare hands really capped it for me

I doubt you'd get the chance for the first move - more like they will accost you to squat at their stall, then charge you the ang moh rate

ever try to run the gauntlet at Newton while trying to show visitors a slice of life?

after 5-6 times, it was never again a few years ago and I've yet to go back

[meiteoh]

Those of you in interracial relationships should wait till you start having babies. EVERYONE will clamour for a look at your kid and the stares become more obvious and are longer! After five years of being with my husband (pre and post marriage), getting stared at here in Singapore is something that never ceases to amaze us.