Be happy your kids are brought up in Singapore

[Brah]

"Only if there are signs requesting it. "

SMS is right, many people here seem to need to be told how to be considerate, it doesn't come naturally and I'd hazard to say that it is, due to the irrestiable Laws of Kiasuisam, counter-intuitive.

Sorry to say but after years here that's just how I see it.

Cases in point - talking on cell phones on the bus, talking loudly on cell phones on the bus and other public places, playing video games on the bus or other public places with the annoying sound on.

In Japan you can hear a pin drop on trains and buses, makes it much more pleasant to read or relax and to not despise your fellow travelers.

[QRM]

Ah but what fun we had when we were kids, dope, unlimited sex, sneaking out at night and joy riding in parents cars!

I look back on my past with a huge smile!

Despite all the above I still know how to hold a door open for people behind me, get out of the way for an ambulance, and make an effort to say thank you, let people in etc when driving.

[iamsen]

"Only if there are signs requesting it. "

SMS is right, many people here seem to need to be told how to

I think the local populace simply need to be told how to do anything. Too used to taking instructions.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Ah but what fun we had when we were kids, dope, unlimited sex, sneaking out at night and joy riding in parents cars!

I look back on my past with a huge smile!

Despite all the above I still know how to hold a door open for people behind me, get out of the way for an ambulance, and make an effort to say thank you, let people in etc when driving.

^^^^

+1

I'm much the same way. I guess all the yelling my Mom did sunk in for a lifetime. Much as my dislike for coffee did as well, thanks to her. :-/

Never went joy riding in my parents cars but as I bought my own at the age of 16, I didn't need to. And yeah, tons of fun. Wonder if any teens here ever went skinnydippin' after mid-night. Kind of doubt it.

[x9200]

It's pretty weird to read such praising words for the local kids upbringing from a person who's probably only reason to be on this board is xenophobia. At last some justification for the hardship of the maids doing in many cases majority of the job. But it must be uneasy feeling to have the most disrespected part of the society responsible for bringing up the future generations.

[noskich]

noskich, can I have some of what you are smoking?

Not necessarily. My wife was ready to go the the US when we got married. In fact. She had her green card as well for three years and then we gave it up to stay here as I decided it would be better to raise kids here than in the US and they'd probably get a better education as well. I still believe I did right.

Interracial couples topic, page 3.

[noskich]

It's pretty weird to read such praising words for the local kids upbringing from a person who's probably only reason to be on this board is xenophobia.

It`s pretty weird to be classified as a xenophob on the basis of one post.

[Wd40]

Hmm...

Well she did turn out all right but something about the parenting bothers me.

Anyway, your point was?

My point is having kids brought up in an Asian culture is a blessing for Western parents. Not all Asian kids are gold alright, but the chances are an Asian kid won`t yell and run around public places when small, will study hard at school and will take care of its old parents when adult. To the contrary of the Western kids which go through puberty (read trouble - drugs, promisculity, crime...) and don`t give a rat`s ass for oldies. Of course, we are talking about the probabilities here, not a general rule.

I dont think as kids yelling around in public places is particularly bad. Its natural. If kids dont do it then who else will? I notice that Indian kids particularly are a lot more noisier at public places compared to local kids. I seriously wonder if its in the genes of the locals to be so obedient right from birth

Singaporeans caring for elders is more of a necessity than choice. If you notice, buying a house or renting is so horribly expensive that more and more adults are staying with their parents and then renting out their own house to make money. Its money over everything else, here.

Western countries or even other eastern countries every young adult will have their own car and house and they want to lead their own life and hence they aren't so much attached to their parents. But if the upbringing is right, this shouldnt be problem.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I wouldn't have had any problems with my kids, per se in either setting as parents make all the difference. But I was afraid of having to put them in a school were they might have gotten hurt due to other's activities. My kids were never on a tight leash as portrayed in the show. That rediculous and OTT. As bad as Tiger Mom.

[JR8]

In other words, everywhere has advantages and disadvantages. What I object to is the blind stereotyping inherent in the OP's comments.

+1 and +1
Seems like a lot of fishing expeditions lately trying to stir the sh!t. Might be White Paper Baggers trying to get ammunition.

Good call!

Maybe we should have a suitable expression, akin to 'Don't feed the troll'?

Don't feed the journo?

[Mad Scientist]

Kids will behave how their parents behave ala the saying "Monkey see , monkey do "

You guys forgot about the last bit of this equation on how to raise a good child " i.e parents responsibility.
We as parents brought them to this world and we have the moral obligation to bring them up whether Asian culture or Western culture.
Like many I have four kids on my own and I am and still are married to the same woman many moons ago and she is European hence the cross culture dilemma on how to raise our kids.
As individuals we have our own way on how to bring up a child but as a married couple, we have to think what is best for the child. Some child are late bloomers others are whiz kids from the get go.
I go against many of principles of Asian way of bringing up a child.
Not only studies and straight down from the top way but lateral thinking and exposed them to as many things when possible and in a safe way and situation as much as possible
Never give up on them and give full love and affection unconditionally no matter how big the trouble they have landed.
Do not expect too much of them in life just be a good honest person is all I ask. Provide them good education but do not go overboard with extra tuition.
When I was young , I went on skinny dip at Labrador cliff at Pasir Panjang near Mobil Plant after school. Had a lot of fun and had a deep gash on the head while trying to do a somersault on a bike over the cliff facing the sea which was a recipe for disaster.
I went home with school shirt on my head to stop the blood from bleeding. Scared sh'tless on how I had to tell my mom. To lie or not to lie that is the question just to get off the spanking bit.
End up telling the truth and was prepared to get a full dish of punishment but to my surprise, did not get one and my dad asked me " Did you had good fun ? in a straight tone. Shocked and surprised. I said "yes but I will be more careful next time" Send met to the clinic and had 5 stitch on the head.
He did not say a word after that but these are the things that made you realized when we have our own kids, kids will be kids no matter how you tell them to behave. The thing we need to do is to set an OB markers for them to navigate and stay within these OB Markers
When they went overboard ,we have to stamp our authority as parents no matter how bad the situation are and do not lose hope as that is all you got.
My kids are no angels neither are they devils. Not nerdy nor great in sports.
I am fortunate for that as they are now street smart and have our trust to be a good person in the society. That is all we asked for.

[JR8]

TLDR.... what's your point?

[Mad Scientist]

My point is not where you have your kids brought up but the things you instill in them that makes the difference
Of course the better the amenities in one country will make the task on hand easier but every child is different and place them in one environment will make them react differently.

[x9200]

It's pretty weird to read such praising words for the local kids upbringing from a person who's probably only reason to be on this board is xenophobia.

It`s pretty weird to be classified as a xenophob on the basis of one post.

You left the word "probably" out from the emphasized phrase and you have more than one post. Anyway, what is the reason of you posting all this? You have a reason? I don't see you handle in this topic any arguments, you just responded directly to one provocative sentence also choosing not to address what was there related to the topic.

[noskich]

Anyway, what is the reason of you posting all this? You have a reason?

My reason is that I genuinely believe Singapore would be a better place to raise a kid than Australia where I am now. Thus, I am planning to relocate in a couple of years. And I wanted to hear opinions of others. That`s it.