GordonGekko,GordonGekko wrote:
What is your take on that we have an ongoing discussion about assimilation/integration in Europe and the US for newcomers, while many expats are viewed in a negative fashion by many Singaporeans as a group who do not want to assimilate/integrate to the Singaporean society?
In your opinion, is it harder to this in Singapore, than say, Australia?
This only applies to public housing. Expats are free to live anywhere they choose, only limited by their pocketbook, if they go with private housing.sundaymorningstaple wrote:
This country is not conducive to total integration willingly, especially with the public housing policy amoung other things controlled by the government. If you go to Australia or the US where you live is controlled only by how much money you have to spend. It is not based on your race. This means even if I buy here I can live only where there is a spot where the 2% (Others) are available to buy. (Again, this is another subject but does impact on this discussion). As long as the races here do not have EQUAL rights to live where they see fit, then as a 2% minority I can ever feel "at home". (I know the reason for this, but it doesn't make it any more right - only pragmatic from the local perspective)
EF, I accept you analogy except for one thing. 85% of all housing in Singapore is controlled by the Government isn't it. (I've actually heard the percentage is actually 94% but too busy right at the moment to look for the figure) So, That still leaves me the right to only live in 17% of the country at best (and that's provided I have heaps of money to start with). 15% private housing and 2% of Government Housing (where I could buy for 150K not 1M to buy a condo or landed property). Not a lot of "freedom" is it?earthfriendly wrote: This only applies to public housing. Expats are free to live anywhere they choose, only limited by their pocketbook, if they go with private housing.
I don't think Singapore, as a society, is in any way in favor of anybody "assimilating" or "integrating". This is not a melting pot: it's a bunch of little pots, one containing wantan mee, one containing rendang and one containing dhal, and the very idea of mixing them together is considered bizarre and rather revolting. Hence the dreaded "Race" box on so many applications, the propaganda emphasis on many cultures living in harmony, etc.GordonGekko wrote:What is your take on that we have an ongoing discussion about assimilation/integration in Europe and the US for newcomers, while many expats are viewed in a negative fashion by many Singaporeans as a group who do not want to assimilate/integrate to the Singaporean society?
"The other problem is that Expatriates are, unknowingly, the cause of their own problems for the most part (both eastern and western expats). We are NOT ambassadors of our countries and without knowing it (subconsciously) we erect walls to protect us due to our own insecurities while in a foreign land. This is how all the stereotypes come about."
You lose me here bushbride.bushbride wrote:..the following nationality bashing reinforces your point that 'like are attracted to like'.
I am an expat, I have European, Malay, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, Thai, Middle Eastener and Singaporean friends. - just to name a few.
My point? I believe that a certain level of integration into a culture is based on the type of person you are rather than where you are from.
Of course, you cannot fully assimilate into any culture, but you can attempt to understand and appreciate. And, this effort can be welcomed and returned.
Considering the source of the question, I have no need to explain as you, being an asian, know exactly what I mean. And as for the term itself, facade you also have online dictionary at your disposal. As far as it being a stereotype (if that is what you are beating around the bush about ) Sure it is. But a well known and envied Trait/Skill especially in business. But, again, I don't need to tell you that either.Wind In My Hair wrote:please explain.sundaymorningstaple wrote:you will never see behind the facade that they are presenting to you. And, if they're asian you can bet they are better at it that you will ever be.
i wasn't confronting you SMS. just trying to understand how 'asian' behaviour is perceived by non-asians. given the bad air on the forum these days i should have known better than to phrase it the way i did.sundaymorningstaple wrote:Considering the source of the question, I have no need to explain as you, being an asian, know exactly what I mean. And as for the term itself, facade you also have online dictionary at your disposal. As far as it being a stereotype (if that is what you are beating around the bush about ) Sure it is. But a well known and envied Trait/Skill especially in business. But, again, I don't need to tell you that either.
You obviously don't agree, Please explain?
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