Singapore most emotionless society in the world

[zzm9980]

Money quote:

"If you measure Singapore by the traditional indicators, they look like one of the best-run countries in the world," Gallup partner Jon Clifton was quoted by Bloomberg as saying. "But if you look at everything that makes life worth living, they're not doing so well."

Anyone actually surprised by this? I'm not.

Link:
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/ED ... ld--Survey

I believe we can link to today online. If we can't, mods remove the link. Everyone else can then Google for "Singapore most emotionless society in world: Survey"

[Callput]

Well, I am not completely surprised, but I wonder, how accurately can you conclude something as subjective as that.

I mean what makes Singapore emotionless, is it because they were controlled under a tight leash? Dont tell me that there is no other country out there under open dictatorship and people living in much higher fear factor. Lot of countries in the middle east fall in that category. Singapore's gahmen is miles away from that kind of tight control.

Thats why I dont quite agree with the survey, to me it looks staged.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually, I don't quite agree with their findings.

Think about it. Singapore has one of the most passive-aggressive societies in the world. So how can they say they are emotionless?

In fact, it's their display of passion that led to the Kiasu moniker!

[nakatago]

Singaporeans are many things but emotionless is most definitely not one of them.

[Mi Amigo]

I was kind of surprised that this got published, given that all we normally see are 'good news' stories in the Happy Valley Herald, the Prozac Post and the Stepford Sentinel. All I can imagine is that the editor took a glance at the copy and thought, "Oh good, another list where Singapore comes out on top - print it!"

[x9200]

Actually, I don't quite agree with their findings.

Think about it. Singapore has one of the most passive-aggressive societies in the world. So how can they say they are emotionless?

In fact, it's their display of passion that led to the Kiasu moniker!

I agree. The survey only show lack of engagement and even this not necessarily translates to emotion. Many people might also have had problems problems answering more abstract questions. Did you smile today? Huh? What do you mean?

[offshoreoildude]

They're 'emotionless' because so many still live in fear of the Chinese feudal lord, Malay Sultan, ISA or Cold Storage, British overseer or Japanese Soldier. They know - from learning from their parents if young or direct experience - that previously to publicly express emotion is to express opinion and that their rulers do not like dissenting opinion. It's a fear driven response - go poker face.

[zzm9980]

The article is light on details, but I think they were going for the more the 'traditional' range of emotions, (like happy or sad), not passive aggression

Anyway, I did a little digging (ok, one Google search) and found the question is actually about discussing said emotions:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/158882/singa ... world.aspx

Being emotional and discussing said emotions are different things obviously. I recall some threads here talking about the lack of emotional depth in many people in Singapore. I've witnessed it too, and to me the survey makes sense. I'm not saying everyone either, but I can distinctly make out a large subset of the populace who act blur not just to their surroundings, but in conversations or interactions where you normally expect some kind of feeling.

[zzm9980]

I mean what makes Singapore emotionless, is it because they were controlled under a tight leash? Dont tell me that there is no other country out there under open dictatorship and people living in much higher fear factor. Lot of countries in the middle east fall in that category. Singapore's gahmen is miles away from that kind of tight control.

Not just the tight leash, but the education system and culture? Conformity and rote memorization, not learning how to think for yourself (although that is changing)? Not implying third-world dictatorships have educational systems which teach the latter, but more so they're less strict (and lack the family and culture) to reinforce the former. Something about spending 16 hours a day in school or displaying the only emotion they know, Kiasu (passive aggression), to hog tables at Starbucks and study?

[zzm9980]

Oh hey one more article, and someone they interviewed basically said same thing as me:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/20 ... on-deficit

[quote]Singaporeans recognize they have a problem. Li Bona, 29, an assistant manager at Changi International Airport, which wins kudos as one of the world’s best, says that schools discourage students from thinking of themselves as individuals. “When you are taught not to be different from other people, you are less willing to express yourself,”

[morenangpinay]

Its so weird to be coming from the most emotional country and live in the least emotional country.

[morenangpinay]

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/20 ... enged-live

Because Singapore’s culture, history and years of strict governance, they produced a generation of people who are afraid to speak out their emotions which eventually lead to an emotionally challenged populace. IMHO the school system doesn’t help either.

Meanwhile in the Philippines, were all a bunch of drama queens so I guess too emotional is also not good.

[JR8]

Its so weird to be coming from the most emotional country and live in the least emotional country.

I think it's like a guy learning to read emotion from a woman, you need to read a new language, you have to be intuitive.

A spade is not a spade; rather there' going to be an eyebrow-raising song and dance... and then you have 10 seconds to guess correctly.

Do you feel lucky? Well do you punk?

[JR8]

Meanwhile in the Philippines, were all a bunch of drama queens so I guess too emotional is also not good.

I can see it now, a new campaign, headed by the gahmen 'Be in touch with yourself. Having a little cry now and again is ok, really!'

I reckon you Pinoys are pretty sorted out myself (from those I know)... wouldn't go worrying if I were you...

[morenangpinay]

I think it's like a guy learning to read emotion from a woman, you need to read a new language, you have to be intuitive.

A spade is not a spade; rather there' going to be an eyebrow-raising song and dance... and then you have 10 seconds to guess correctly.

Do you feel lucky? Well do you punk?

lol i did get clueless and im running out of places in Singapore to be crazy. thankfully, there's this forum with lots of crazy expats.

'Be in touch with yourself. Having a little cry now and again is ok, really!' -- sure but would that last long like the "Be gracious" campaign