Mandarin grouse

[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.

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

See? completely ignoring what I've said! Obviously no social skills...especially if he's happy while his family speak in a language he doesn't understand!

[irvine]

Geerang, you know what, we know. We know Singapore and Singaporeans, how they think and how they behave/react. But we are FITTING IN by trying to understand this fact, and try not to be bothered by it. For example, for many of us, courtesy and kindness are ways of life. Unfortunately, a lot of situations in the society here disappoints in those aspects. Sometimes it is hard to understand it, but most of us do tolerate it. And we merely laugh about it here at this forum bcoz this is one place for us here to talk. We don't tell it to locals bcoz it is simply two different mentality - not saying either one is more superior. But again, why do you think the government is running courtesy and kindness campaign so much? Singapore has its certain uniqueness, we understand it but it doesn't mean we need to agree with all of it.

[geerang]

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

You have such a warped view of morality and socially acceptable behaviour that I wonder if you have any true friends.

If people choose to speak in their own language, obviously they don't want you to hear. Eavesdropping is rude. Not respecting other's languages is rude. Coming into someone's country and criticising their country is rude.

[Mad Scientist]

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

You have such a warped view of morality and socially acceptable behaviour that I wonder if you have any true friends.

If people choose to speak in their own language, obviously they don't want you to hear. Eavesdropping is rude. Not respecting other's languages is rude. Coming into someone's country and criticising their country is rude.

For once I agree with you, criticizing one country is rude when you are working in that country. You know why we dare to say what is on our mind bcoz those Sger who criticize anything about the Gahmen either gone bankrupt sued by the Gahmen like the late JB Jeyaretnam , Mohd Jufri , Chee Soon Juan or ran away like Frankie Teng or died in anger like the late Devan Nair, Wee Kim Wee and Ong Teng Cheong.
Even Ahmad Mattar the former Minister of Environment was asked to leave the cabinet just because he has two wife which is a NO-No in PAP Gahmen. Teh Cheang Wan the late Minister of Housing and Development commited suicide after caught for graft. The Gahmen exumed his body three times because the money was not found. End up they got it after the family returned it after the third exhumation
The late Devan Nair President of SG was the President by PAP but because of his alcoholic problems , he did not get the full recognition that he deserves for serving the nation. Died a broken man in another country. The list goes on and on.
The Gahmen are very good at this showing an example for others. Hence it reflect on the citizen which has no courtesy , scared to say , very timid and have no sense of courtesy the least when having just a simple lunch with other foreigners. Now that is absolute rude in any context!!
No Sgers got the balls to say anything about the Gahmen and do not even know how to walk on the street and having spatial awareness .
I think you are very myopic in your view but what can I say you not in SG but in France

[missis]

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

You have such a warped view of morality and socially acceptable behaviour that I wonder if you have any true friends.

If people choose to speak in their own language, obviously they don't want you to hear. Eavesdropping is rude. Not respecting other's languages is rude. Coming into someone's country and criticising their country is rude.

"warped"? warped is inviting someone to join your company then ignoring them to speak in another language.
Yes, agree, eavesdropping is rude (how is that relevant to this topic?)
Yes, not respecting other's languages is rude (again, relevance? noone is being disrespectful about other languages here)
Re coming and criticising "someone's country" (again irrelevant as we are not criticising Singapore) are you seriously trying to tell me you've never complained about ANYTHING in France?
Oh and by the way, I have plenty of "true friends" in many countries all over the world. Some are non-native English speakers who would never invite me to have a meal with them then talk in their native languages so that I couldn't join in.

[earthfriendly]

Coming into someone's country and criticising their country is rude.

Would it still be rude if it is constructive criticism or you hold a very different viewpoint from most countryman? Who gets to decide which opinions are accepted and which are not? The person holding the most powerful position in the land e.g. LKY, the ruling party (PAP) or what the general populace think? So if my opinion is vastly different from theirs and I don't weld as much power as them, then I should shut up? What kind of society would that be? Isn't that a form of bullying when only the more powerful ones (e.g. majority) are allowed to speak their mind and not the weaker members (e.g. minority) in the society.

A Christian friend once told her lower grade school daughter that she should obey her parents and adults. Kids who are taught to comply with authority, what should they do if the priest from the church wants to molest them.

Please tell me why is it so wrong to hold a different viewpoint? I teach my kids to (in SE's words) Question Everything including me, Daddy and their teachers words and not be afraid to voice their opinions. Reasoning and facts always prevail over irrational emotional response.

I question SG govt. why is it so important to have women in the workforce rather than staying home to take care of their young? Result: kids learnt at a young age that everything can be outsourced and paid with money includding the very sacred thing like child rearing. Why does economic progress take precedence over everything else in life? Result: Singaporeans are stressed out from the rat race and not the easiest people to get along with. A Japanese lady interviewed said she felt Singaporean man would lose temper at drop of the head even though Japanese men work longer hours. Whys is is necessary to tear down any buildings over 20 yo? Result: rootlessness.

An American who had lived in both China and Japan said that many of the parents there wish their kids could get an American education as the kids are more confident. I couldn't agree more. But hey Asian parents, do not fret. You do not need a formal Amecian education. Just teach the kids to have an inquiring mind and to quesiton everything. Let them know their opnion is as valuable as any authoritative figure like LKY.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Word!

[earthfriendly]

Why? Am I too longwinded?

[earthfriendly]

I will not invite a non Chinese speaker to be with a group of Chinese freinds who are uncomfortable with speaking English or unwilling to exert the effort.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Why? Am I too longwinded?

On the contrary! Maybe I shoulda used this?

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=word

[missis]

@ earthfriendly - agree, excellent post!

[nakatago]

+1