Why the SGn habit of photographing oneself?

[JR8]

I've had the pleasure of various SGn house-guests for the best part of 4 of the past 5 weeks, and now I am enjoying seeing their photographs on Facebook.

I well know that they seem to have a thing about taking multiple pictures of themselves just hanging out and having fun, but I am a little taken aback to see maybe 80% of hundreds of photos are all pretty much the same
a) picture of me
b) picture of me and friends X
c) picture of me and friends Z, taken by friend X
d) picture of me and X and Z, taken with the camera pointing backwards,
and so on, and so on, and so on, over and over.

Every time they get together they seem to do the same thing. I got to the point of being 'antisocial' and asking them stop taking photos of me as it just got a bit silly really, I mean I know what I look like.

These are smart 30-somethings, not children. Does anyone understand why they do this?

[nakatago]

Don't forget the pictures of food.

[JR8]

Quite. And all the designer shopping bags neatly arranged on the bed for effect, after a day out.

[x9200]

I bet THEY can ask the same sort of questions about our drinking and some other habits It's harmless so for me falls under the category de gustibus non est disputandum.

[the lynx]

Hence the word, camwhoring......

Edited: To add emphasis

[sundaymorningstaple]

Maybe it's a genetic defect. You know, short term memory loss? They were brought up in an exam based world so nothing was actually learned, but just crammed a couple of days before said exam. Singaporeans have a lot of genetic defects as a result of leeky's selective breeding programs of the past. Things like the inability to learn or practice any form of courtesy unless said act has a fine attached to it if not adhered to. Or, like myopia, both of the medical variety and the mental variety.

[nutnut]

Some courtesy does have a fine in my country.... Say please or I'll punch you in the face comes to mind, or, queue or lose an eye.... All that sort of stuff.

[JR8]

I bet THEY can ask the same sort of questions about our drinking and some other habits It's harmless so for me falls under the category de gustibus non est disputandum.

Of course they can, but I am not talking about my obvious western foibles, I already understand them


p.s. On form I see SMS

[zzm9980]

I've had the pleasure of various SGn house-guests for the best part of 4 of the past 5 weeks, and now I am enjoying seeing their photographs on Facebook.

I well know that they seem to have a thing about taking multiple pictures of themselves just hanging out and having fun, but I am a little taken aback to see maybe 80% of hundreds of photos are all pretty much the same
a) picture of me
b) picture of me and friends X
c) picture of me and friends Z, taken by friend X
d) picture of me and X and Z, taken with the camera pointing backwards,
and so on, and so on, and so on, over and over.

Every time they get together they seem to do the same thing. I got to the point of being 'antisocial' and asking them stop taking photos of me as it just got a bit silly really, I mean I know what I look like.

These are smart 30-somethings, not children. Does anyone understand why they do this?

Based on anecdotal observations on Facebook, this is phenomenon endemic through-out much Asia, and is not limited to Singaporeans. I see it on "friend's" (I use the term loosely) pages that are from China, Korean, Vietnam, HK, and Singapore. I have no friends listed in Japan, but I imagine it happens there too. Interestingly, the friends I have in Thailand and Indonesia don't seem to do this. However the Indonesians love taking photos in shopping malls in FRONT of the designer stores. (Prada, Versace, etc).

Yes, I spend too much time on Facebook and "friend" too many people I barely know.

[movingtospore]

They've got nothing on Filipinos...with all their contrived, model wannabe poses!

[nakatago]

They've got nothing on Filipinos...with all their contrived, model wannabe poses!

That's from all the Japanese, Taiwanese and Korean dramas and comedies imported into the country and being not willing to be 'outclassed' by singaporeans.

[the lynx]

reminds me of that Kate Spade hoo-haa

[durain]

and did they all do the 2 fingers peace sign when taking photographs?

[JR8]

and did they all do the 2 fingers peace sign when taking photographs?

No. But that is definitely a JPnese thing!

[the lynx]

and did they all do the 2 fingers peace sign when taking photographs?

No. But that is definitely a JPnese thing!

Trust me, not just Japanese but also all kawaii-wannabes regardless of nationality. God forbid, they even have the doe-eyed pose done by tilting camera at an angle downwards and they'll pop their eyes as big as they can and pout...