Topics to Avoid Talking about

[nakatago]

I had heard of the "don't openly criticise the government" thing before, so the reminder does well to reinforce this. I suppose this falls under politics anyway.

Ha! Reminds me of something my Singaporean mum-in-law told me shortly after my marriage...

One day, she took me aside and said that now that I was a part of the family, she would tell me something very important. Then, she turned on her radio really loudly and, over the booming music, whispered that I should never openly criticise the government because they might be listening. Then, she pointedly opened her front door and said very loudly and firmly, "Ours is the best government in the world!"

Then, she happily closed the front door, turned off the radio and gave me a little wink and tapped the side of her nose. It was oddly hilarious.

Only 10 short years later, did she and the majority of her neighbours vote for an opposition party in her ward.

There's a scene in a dystopian society story in there.

[morenangpinay]

recently i was talking to an expat friend and we came to discuss the current news...so everytime I have to mention the words foreigner, local, government... i need to look around and mouth the words.

he learned to do the same lol

[morenangpinay]

Ha! Reminds me of something my Singaporean mum-in-law told me shortly after my marriage...

One day, she took me aside and said that now that I was a part of the family, she would tell me something very important. Then, she turned on her radio really loudly and, over the booming music, whispered that I should never openly criticise the government because they might be listening. Then, she pointedly opened her front door and said very loudly and firmly, "Ours is the best government in the world!"

Then, she happily closed the front door, turned off the radio and gave me a little wink and tapped the side of her nose. It was oddly hilarious.

that cant be real. its like a scene from a comedy show

[WanWanWan]

I've just had a thought...

If it is bad form to criticise the local government, is it therefore good form to criticise foreign governments and talk about how much better the Singaporean government is in comparison? I am very good at expressing my dissatisfaction with many aspects of my current country (hence emigrating).

[x9200]

3Wan, to start with and free you from some superficial dilemmas, I suggest come over here first and see how it works. I can criticize many things in Singapore but I completely feel no need to criticize the government. As per my perception they are simply good and doing the right job. But do not confuse and mix it up with Western standards of democracy. A good enterprise is seldom a democratic creation.

[iamsen]

Anything worth talking about is probably best avoided. Can't tax their minds too much.

[rajagainstthemachine]

3Wan, to start with and free you from some superficial dilemmas, I suggest come over here first and see how it works. I can criticize many things in Singapore but I completely feel no need to criticize the government. As per my perception they are simply good and doing the right job. But do not confuse and mix it up with Western standards of democracy. A good enterprise is seldom a democratic creation.

+1

[bioshock]

Dear WanWanWan,

When dealing with local Singaporeans, completely avoid taking about anything to do with race, religion or politics, even if it is with regards to countries other than Singapore.

You can talk about things like where is the best food (e.g Nasi Lemask, the best Roti Prata, etc etc)

[JR8]

But do not confuse and mix it up with Western standards of democracy. A good enterprise is seldom a democratic creation.

If countries can be considered 'enterprises' then I would have to disagree with you. On a GDP per capita basis, with an exception or two (Saudi) the richest countries are also the most democratic and most free.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GDP_P ... F_2008.png

[x9200]

But do not confuse and mix it up with Western standards of democracy. A good enterprise is seldom a democratic creation.

If countries can be considered 'enterprises' then I would have to disagree with you. On a GDP per capita basis, with an exception or two (Saudi) the richest countries are also the most democratic and most free.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GDP_P ... F_2008.png

So you know some good enterprises where the whole management (i.e board of directors) is democratically elected by their employees?

[JR8]

So you know some good enterprises where the whole management (i.e board of directors) is democratically elected by their employees?

Even more democratic than that: All PLCs. Directors' nominations are proposed by the board of directors but it is voted for or against by the shareholders (some of whom may also be employees).

[x9200]

So you know some good enterprises where the whole management (i.e board of directors) is democratically elected by their employees?

Even more democratic than that: All PLCs. Directors' nominations are proposed by the board of directors but it is voted for or against by the shareholders (some of whom may also be employees).

Edited. You right. I saw it from a bit different perspective (isolated entity).

[morenangpinay]

apparently Workers party lah

[BedokAmerican]

The weather is such a boring topic. It's the same all the time...hot, humid, often stormy.

Common conversation with condo security:
Good morning/afternoon
Them: it's a hot day today.
Me: Yeah, it's hot here everyday.
Them: But it's really hot today.
Me (being agreeable): Yep!

Whether its 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 92, that's not a noticeable difference.

[offshoreoildude]

The only really sensitive topic I avoid is direct criticism of LKY and LHL. Father of the nation yada yada.

Anything else seems to be ok. Sinkies like;

Talking about sex even though it's like talking to a 13 yo teen (they are a bit narrow minded and definitely immature).

Talking about politics even though they have a level of sophistication of a 13 year old teen.

Talking about property prices even though like teens they don't really understand MACRO issues but do understand Micro issues (i.e. cannot buy, near temple).

Talking about family even though they are like teens and while they hate their Mummy cannot tahan criticism of her.

Talking about language even though most of them are in-articulate in the three major languages like most teens and like a teen are absurdly proud of their slang (aka Singlish).

Talking about holidays although they only know of the places a teen would know of.

Talking about the whether even though like a 5 year old they don't understand seasons or that the bloody hemisphere are complete opposites WRT seasons!

The BEST conversations with a Sinky usually happens with a Sinky outside of Singapore and that Sinky has been out at least 10 years. Then it's like talking to a teen who has grown up but is fully aware of what an imbecile he/she was as a teen!