Mandarin grouse

[sundaymorningstaple]

You are now pathetically starting to sound like the proverbial drowning man clutching a straw which you keep trying to split like it was a hair. At least everybody else understands it even if you don't. I keep forgetting some of you are not native English speakers. Sorry.

[renault]

You are now pathetically starting to sound like the proverbial drowning man clutching a straw which you keep trying to split like it was a hair. At least everybody else understands it even if you don't. I keep forgetting some of you are not native English speakers. Sorry.

Not sure if your ego is playing a fool with you or you have just realized English is a working language for many of us here.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Still are you?

[Mad Scientist]

SMS. Ouch !!!.......... is someone hang out to dry. I though it was raining today ???

Oops, my bad, sunshine all around

[geerang]

I think it's all unintentional.

I go out for lunch/drinks with my colleagues and they all talk shop (nothing to do with my dept) so I just sit, eat, drink and absorb.

It also gives me a way to learn their work lingo and what is happening at work!

If I am not mistaken, you are trying to learn mandarin? If so, when you hear certain words, ask them what it means. Else, speak singlish to them and ask them to tune back to Channel 5 and no more Channel 8!

Some Singaporeans will give you a frown if you speak Singlish to them, they would prefer you speak proper English with a Singaporean accent and not try to act like the 55% of Singaporean adults who speak broken English because they did not graduate from seconday school.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_singapore

But anyway, many SIngaporeans speak Mandarin as their native language so these people would obviously feel more comfortable chatting in Mandarin. Nothing wrong with that.

As a foreigner, you should try to fit in instead of complaining.

It's unintentional. Most local have no sense of courtesy (that's why the courtesy campaign is still running after over 30 years without as much as an iota of change here) so even though you are sitting there at the table with them, they are oblivious to the fact that you don't understand them. Kinda like them walking into you on the sidewalk. They don't mean to walk into you, but, as they don't have any concept of spatial awareness, that's why they look so surprised when they do. They just figure everybody will move outta their way.

At least, it sounds better that way, instead of saying that they are just plain rude and uncouth. Which is the unfortunate truth.

Most if not all Singaporeans do give way when asked politely but almost half of everyone on the streets these days are foreign so I am not too sure about them. Walking down Singapore doesn't even feel like Singapore these days with so many foreign workers.

But hey, you can walk with your head up high and won't be shot, mugged or stabbed in Singapore like some North American and European countries.

Like I said, try to fit in and stop complaining.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Most if not all Singaporeans do give way when asked politely but almost half of everyone on the streets these days are foreign so I am not too sure about them. Walking down Singapore doesn't even feel like Singapore these days with so many foreign workers.

But hey, you can walk with your head up high and won't be shot, mugged or stabbed in Singapore like some North American and European countries.

Like I said, try to fit in and stop complaining.

See, that's the problem. Why do people have to ask Singaporean to have some courtesy? and if you are only in France for 1 years, then you already know that your first statement is false, it's only one out of four that aren't Singaporeans. But, have no fear, you can be sure the ones that bump into you or hog the entire pedestrian path will be Singaporeans. The are also the ones who will not apologize when they do walk into you. Tell that to the last one that got stabbed here and the old ladies who are victims of snatch theft here weekly.

Your posts have a certain familiar pong to them though.

[nakatago]

Your posts have a certain familiar pong to them though.

Hey, SMS. Thor called. He said we could use Mjolnir if needed.

[geerang]

Most if not all Singaporeans do give way when asked politely but almost half of everyone on the streets these days are foreign so I am not too sure about them. Walking down Singapore doesn't even feel like Singapore these days with so many foreign workers.

But hey, you can walk with your head up high and won't be shot, mugged or stabbed in Singapore like some North American and European countries.

Like I said, try to fit in and stop complaining.

See, that's the problem. Why do people have to ask Singaporean to have some courtesy? and if you are only in France for 1 years, then you already know that your first statement is false, it's only one out of four that aren't Singaporeans. But, have no fear, you can be sure the ones that bump into you or hog the entire pedestrian path will be Singaporeans. The are also the ones who will not apologize when they do walk into you. Tell that to the last one that got stabbed here and the old ladies who are victims of snatch theft here weekly.

Your posts have a certain familiar pong to them though.

No, in Singapore, it is probably one out of every three or one out of every two whom are not Singaporean.

Over here, people are much more aloof and much more rude. Are you seriously arguging that Singapore has higher rates of stabbing,murder, gun crimes than some North American countries? If so, I think it is best we leave you alone to sit by yourself.

[missis]

I think it's all unintentional.

I go out for lunch/drinks with my colleagues and they all talk shop (nothing to do with my dept) so I just sit, eat, drink and absorb.

It also gives me a way to learn their work lingo and what is happening at work!

If I am not mistaken, you are trying to learn mandarin? If so, when you hear certain words, ask them what it means. Else, speak singlish to them and ask them to tune back to Channel 5 and no more Channel 8!

Some Singaporeans will give you a frown if you speak Singlish to them, they would prefer you speak proper English with a Singaporean accent and not try to act like the 55% of Singaporean adults who speak broken English because they did not graduate from seconday school.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_singapore

But anyway, many SIngaporeans speak Mandarin as their native language so these people would obviously feel more comfortable chatting in Mandarin. Nothing wrong with that.

As a foreigner, you should try to fit in instead of complaining.

It's unintentional. Most local have no sense of courtesy (that's why the courtesy campaign is still running after over 30 years without as much as an iota of change here) so even though you are sitting there at the table with them, they are oblivious to the fact that you don't understand them. Kinda like them walking into you on the sidewalk. They don't mean to walk into you, but, as they don't have any concept of spatial awareness, that's why they look so surprised when they do. They just figure everybody will move outta their way.

At least, it sounds better that way, instead of saying that they are just plain rude and uncouth. Which is the unfortunate truth.

Most if not all Singaporeans do give way when asked politely but almost half of everyone on the streets these days are foreign so I am not too sure about them. Walking down Singapore doesn't even feel like Singapore these days with so many foreign workers.

But hey, you can walk with your head up high and won't be shot, mugged or stabbed in Singapore like some North American and European countries.

Like I said, try to fit in and stop complaining.

Of course normally there's nothing wrong with chatting in your native language - but you don't invite someone along who cannot speak it and then do that.

Macaroonie stated that the group of people they are referring to are competent in English. Why invite someone to come out with you then more or less ignore them?

[geerang]

I think it's all unintentional.

I go out for lunch/drinks with my colleagues and they all talk shop (nothing to do with my dept) so I just sit, eat, drink and absorb.

It also gives me a way to learn their work lingo and what is happening at work!

If I am not mistaken, you are trying to learn mandarin? If so, when you hear certain words, ask them what it means. Else, speak singlish to them and ask them to tune back to Channel 5 and no more Channel 8!

Some Singaporeans will give you a frown if you speak Singlish to them, they would prefer you speak proper English with a Singaporean accent and not try to act like the 55% of Singaporean adults who speak broken English because they did not graduate from seconday school.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_singapore

But anyway, many SIngaporeans speak Mandarin as their native language so these people would obviously feel more comfortable chatting in Mandarin. Nothing wrong with that.

As a foreigner, you should try to fit in instead of complaining.

It's unintentional. Most local have no sense of courtesy (that's why the courtesy campaign is still running after over 30 years without as much as an iota of change here) so even though you are sitting there at the table with them, they are oblivious to the fact that you don't understand them. Kinda like them walking into you on the sidewalk. They don't mean to walk into you, but, as they don't have any concept of spatial awareness, that's why they look so surprised when they do. They just figure everybody will move outta their way.

At least, it sounds better that way, instead of saying that they are just plain rude and uncouth. Which is the unfortunate truth.

Most if not all Singaporeans do give way when asked politely but almost half of everyone on the streets these days are foreign so I am not too sure about them. Walking down Singapore doesn't even feel like Singapore these days with so many foreign workers.

But hey, you can walk with your head up high and won't be shot, mugged or stabbed in Singapore like some North American and European countries.

Like I said, try to fit in and stop complaining.

Of course normally there's nothing wrong with chatting in your native language - but you don't invite someone along who cannot speak it and then do that.

Macaroonie stated that the group of people they are referring to are competent in English. Why invite someone to come out with you then more or less ignore them?

I dont think so. A lot of Sporeans, mainly older ones, are not fluent in English just as a lot are. Even as a Singaporean, other Singaporeans around me sometimes speak in their own language which I cannot understand as well. This applies to my relatives. They are just more comfortable that way I guess. In France, they don't speak English to you as well, even though they can.

[missis]

By "fitting in" what you mean what exactly? try to learn one of the most difficult languages on the planet because your so-called friends won't converse in a language mutually understood?
People defending the behaviour seem to be ignoring the point that Macaroonie was invited to join them - then was blanked by them. In most circles it's considered rude to chat in your own language when there's someone present who doesn't understand and you can speak their language.
Incidentally French is far more easily picked up or learnt than Mandarin.

[geerang]

By "fitting in" what you mean what exactly? try to learn one of the most difficult languages on the planet because your so-called friends won't converse in a language mutually understood?
People defending the behaviour seem to be ignoring the point that Macaroonie was invited to join them - then was blanked by them. In most circles it's considered rude to chat in your own language when there's someone present who doesn't understand and you can speak their language.
Incidentally French is far more easily picked up or learnt than Mandarin.

Yes Mandarin is hard to learn and people talk amongst themselves sometimes....waaaa..waaaa...waaaa...

[februus]

Even as a Singaporean, other Singaporeans around me sometimes speak in their own language which I cannot understand as well. This applies to my relatives. They are just more comfortable that way I guess. In France, they don't speak English to you as well, even though they can.

You must be very unpopular if even your own family speak in a language they know you can't understand!

[macaroonie]

I don't mind people talking in their own language amongst themselves, but if many people are asked to have a nice lunch together and they speak mandarin the whole time and non-stop it does make the non-mandarin speaker feel really awkward. And all these people are not old, 20s and 30s and all are very competent in English.

Put it this way, would anyone in such a situation feel comfortable sitting through a whole lunch listening to a language they don't understand? This is not necessarily a Singaporean phenomenon... but for those who are asking us to fit in, i think there is a time and place for such 'fitting in'. I would regard fitting in as being respectful of Asian culture, listening politely, especially to the elders and not rebutting them in front of everyone loudly etc, but this is a specific scenario of speaking non stop in mandarin. When i initially posted, i wanted an idea of whether i was being too sensitive by feeling upset with this situation.. but looks like many others would also be annoyed with it.

[missis]

Exactly. I think Geerang is just enjoying trying to wind us up. His last post shows this, completely ignoring the points being made!