MRT Etiquette

[sundaymorningstaple]

Singaporeans need not be defended but it's shocking that some of the ethnically offensive statements about Chinese and Indians are not deleted. Whatever, it wouldn't be the first time for that offender. He should spend his time better to fight in the right corner.

If it's not true, then your statement would stand the litmus test. Unfortunately, while most, nay, all statements are really generalizations, it's like Singaporean's being kiasu, the percentage is larger than the socially acceptaible norms, so therefore, description are tagged to certain behaviors and they tend to stick, rightly or wrongly.

I can relate to all that has been mentioned thus far as I ride the public transport system for at least 3 hrs/day, 6 days/wk during peak hours both mornings & evenings. One can actually identify the races AND nationalities quite easily without ever speaking to them.

[JR8]

[a la AnneTeoh]

I do not think the conclusion is valid. It is too abstruse. The writer must question whether in their heart they feel real validity, or whether they simply only have bad intention against Singapore.

Has anyone else harboured a desire to rally luxury cars down the Silk Road as I once did in the 1950s? As mentioned, thus, and as far as we have reached, not without, but within, I think one has to question quite where we are and where we are going.

Have we got to that point yet. This 'are they for or against us' posture seems naturally devisive. Ignoring a choice, and born to divide. Dichotomy making yes. These formations we should seek to avoid.

Fear not the hither! For as I said it is preferable to the thither. That to me is the question that is paramount above all else, and the choice that we all have to make.

[sundaymorningstaple]

[nakatago]

[ksl]

Just come home from the pub have we

[anneteoh]

Singaporeans need not be defended but it's shocking that some of the ethnically offensive statements about Chinese and Indians are not deleted. Whatever, it wouldn't be the first time for that offender. He should spend his time better to fight in the right corner.

If it's not true, then your statement would stand the litmus test. Unfortunately, while most, nay, all statements are really generalizations, it's like Singaporean's being kiasu, the percentage is larger than the socially acceptaible norms, so therefore, description are tagged to certain behaviors and they tend to stick, rightly or wrongly.

I can relate to all that has been mentioned thus far as I ride the public transport system for at least 3 hrs/day, 6 days/wk during peak hours
both mornings & evenings. One can actually identify the races AND
nationalities quite easily without ever speaking to them.

Regarding 'kiasu', I actually made a critical comment and called for more research into an unscientific but popular notion with the higher ups and got a shove back to the UK! LOL.

Aiya... I wasn't referring to your group of Indians which I found amusing as usual. You were irked by them but not making racial stereotyping. I was, similarly so annoyed when 3 Bangladeshis shouted and yelled continuously, loud and fast, when they were standing so close together, that I wished I had thick rolls of cellophane tape to gag them.

In SG, I usd to travel on the Serangoon bus to find swarms of dark uncouth Indians dressed in dhotis and slippers shouting and gesturing, all crowded round, sitting on the steps of Little India and appearing to be sleeping in the open grounds outside some restaurants. It was quite a threatening sight at first until one began to see that they were really poor labourers and were in fact, helping to build SG's verticle rush. The problem was the number of illegals among the huge swirling crowds.

You're Right about identifying the various ethnicities - I have grown adept at distinguishing the accents, the appearances and the most subtle of all, voice tones.

Speaking in abstractions is a way to avoid open confrontation which I find childish and unhealthy; arguments (instead of discussions) and stereotyping are some of the strategies some people use to engage others' interest. I lost an ealier post so I'm getting brain fatigue, but, well, you can smile SMS, you've gone past that stage - never to look back?

[anneteoh]

[a la AnneTeoh]

I do not think the conclusion is valid. It is too abstruse. The writer must question whether in their heart they feel real validity, or whether they simply only have bad intention against Singapore.

Has anyone else harboured a desire to rally luxury cars down the Silk Road as I once did in the 1950s? As mentioned, thus, and as far as we have reached, not without, but within, I think one has to question quite where we are and where we are going.

Have we got to that point yet. This 'are they for or against us' posture seems naturally devisive. Ignoring a choice, and born to divide. Dichotomy making yes. These formations we should seek to avoid.

JR as in Dallas. I bet you can't spell divide so you can't get the other half. But more so, you've been on that rug too long - philosophising why you're not free to liberate your soul.
So where are we going? Hopefully on a good MRT.

Fear not the hither! For as I said it is preferable to the thither. That to me is the question that is paramount above all else, and the choice that we all have to make.

Choice is a matter of personal taste but there's such a thing as fate and destiny of which we have little choice.

[JR8]

HAHAHAHA!


You couldn't give a better answer!

(did you do that on purpose, i.e., with irony, or was that the real you~! )

[anneteoh]

Glad you're so happy but really I wasn't even thinking!
Err... lost the thread.

[JR8]

Lost the plot?

[painkillerPink]

Speaking in abstractions is a way to avoid open confrontation which I find childish and unhealthy; arguments (instead of discussions) and stereotyping are some of the strategies some people use to engage others' interest. I lost an ealier post so I'm getting brain fatigue, but, well, you can smile SMS, you've gone past that stage - never to look back?

I think there are certain levels of abstractions that are appropriate for verbal exchange but get misinterpreted when written down without the attendant vocal and facial expressions. Thus most of us likely interpreted your earlier words differently than what you intended.

But I disagree that open confrontation is childish and unhealthy. I believe in honesty although I admit the dosage will vary on the recipient. In this forum I believe we are all mature, er.. ya, i'm sure we are... individuals who can take opinions and views, process them and give something back without getting into a virtual catfight.

There's a time and place for hiding within words but it is generally healthier to go out into the sun and let it kill all the germs.

[vozzie]

Okay, I've been away on holidays for 10 days and I come back to the MRT singing to me ... "The Train Is Coming, The Train is Coming ... "

Have I stepped back into bizzaro world ?

[anneteoh]

Speaking in abstractions is a way to avoid open confrontation which I find childish and unhealthy; arguments (instead of discussions) and stereotyping are some of the strategies some people use to engage others' interest. I lost an ealier post so I'm getting brain fatigue, but, well, you can smile SMS, you've gone past that stage - never to look back?

I think there are certain levels of abstractions that are appropriate for verbal exchange but get misinterpreted when written down without the attendant vocal and facial expressions. Thus most of us likely interpreted your earlier words differently than what you intended.

But I disagree that open confrontation is childish and unhealthy. I believe in honesty although I admit the dosage will vary on the recipient. In this forum I believe we are all mature, er.. ya, i'm sure we are... individuals who can take opinions and views, process them and give something back without getting into a virtual catfight.

There's a time and place for hiding within words but it is generally healthier to go out into the sun and let it kill all the germs.

I was taught the standard good maxim - honesty is the best policy. It's still my belief.
But the world's a complex world with different cultural norms and ways of communicating. Even within one society, children are taught to behave and interact differently - esp when some parents are not fully aware or are too busy to nurture their kids.

When it comes to cyber communication, it's a different ball game altogether with people's identity behind masks. Though I must give credit to this SG Forum as being one of the best ( not that I check out many, perhaps this is 1 among 6 ) and is unique due to its number of foreign talents and local talents. But more so, it's due to the fantastic quality of the individuals and their input. Even so, there's ego projections and bashing and other kinds of confrotations... but there is an undepinning aim which is one of global understanding and leadership, I hope.

Some people avoid telling the truth in order not to hurt others for instance.
In my own Confucianist upbringing, propriety and deference to seniors and respect of others as well as the expectation of such 'good' manners conforming to the norm is so structured in our society that it's become inherent in us.

Obviously society is always open to outside influences - and there're strenghs and weakneses in all of us to stick to something, adapt or revolutionize the inherent structures.

However, as a reader and literary critique, one has to deconstruct and get to the intentional markers within the language. In the end, actions speak louder than words so one needs to be circumspect and detached in order to understand the 'honesty' criteria.

[JR8]

But more so, you've been on that rug too long -

Can someone make up a T-shirt with this slogan on !?

[nakatago]

Okay, I've been away on holidays for 10 days and I come back to the MRT singing to me ... "The Train Is Coming, The Train is Coming ... "

Have I stepped back into bizzaro world ?

if you mean singapore and only realized it now, then yes.