Are Singaporeans stupid?
So the great Li Ao has spoken. Singaporeans are **gasp** stupid!
Or are we?
Most Singaporeans will object. Some will agree. Many foreigners in Singapore may agree.
What are Li Ao's complaints? We have bad genes? Well, as of now, no one is able to look at the DNA and tell immediately whether this person is smart or stupid. That'll guarantee a nobel prize, probably.
I think some of the things that foreigners say about us can roughly be classified as such:
1. We listen and obey everything our government tell us to do. Somewhat blindly even. We sacrificed personal benefit for the greater good of society (hey this seems like a good thing?!). Hmmm, are we that noble? I think for the early generation of Singaporeans, it is largely true. Singapore is fighting for its survival. People need jobs and money. There ain't time for petty squabbles and inefficiencies. It's like - get the job done ASAP, and do it well. So if the government has the best solution, then why argue? Now the question becomes whether the government has the best solution. It depends on your own opinion I guess. But from what I observe, many Singaporeans from the older generation (pre-65) think so. The "crisis" mentality is not so inherent in the post-65 generation, who are also more critical of the govt and hoping for more opposition, in my humble opinion.
2. We do not appreciate the arts and know hardly any history or music or literature. I think this is related to the previous point. Economic survival is #1 priority in everybody's mind. So where's the time for these "useless" things? Pragmatism and more pragmatism. Perhaps I may add, Singapore ain't a mature society yet. I figured in 10-20 years time, a more mature society will emerge, in which people will have the time and money (!) to appreciate the "finer" things in life.
3. We don't understand how things work in other countries. We are so caught up in our own "success" that we become arrogant and condescending. So when we go to China to do business, for example, we lose money and go bankrupt since we do things in a way against the system of "guanxi" - human to human relationships. Hmmm... maybe this is a more valid criticism. Perhaps if Singaporeans travel more (need money!) and meet foreigners on a regular basis this can improve. Or be more sociable and interact more with all our expats and foreign friends in Singapore.
Can't think of any more at the moment. Even the above sound like sweeping generalisations. But I'll make them for the sake of discussion.
So it seems like I am defending Singaporeans. And why not? I'm a Singaporean. And I don't believe that Singaporeans are stupid =)
Or are we?
Most Singaporeans will object. Some will agree. Many foreigners in Singapore may agree.
What are Li Ao's complaints? We have bad genes? Well, as of now, no one is able to look at the DNA and tell immediately whether this person is smart or stupid. That'll guarantee a nobel prize, probably.
I think some of the things that foreigners say about us can roughly be classified as such:
1. We listen and obey everything our government tell us to do. Somewhat blindly even. We sacrificed personal benefit for the greater good of society (hey this seems like a good thing?!). Hmmm, are we that noble? I think for the early generation of Singaporeans, it is largely true. Singapore is fighting for its survival. People need jobs and money. There ain't time for petty squabbles and inefficiencies. It's like - get the job done ASAP, and do it well. So if the government has the best solution, then why argue? Now the question becomes whether the government has the best solution. It depends on your own opinion I guess. But from what I observe, many Singaporeans from the older generation (pre-65) think so. The "crisis" mentality is not so inherent in the post-65 generation, who are also more critical of the govt and hoping for more opposition, in my humble opinion.
2. We do not appreciate the arts and know hardly any history or music or literature. I think this is related to the previous point. Economic survival is #1 priority in everybody's mind. So where's the time for these "useless" things? Pragmatism and more pragmatism. Perhaps I may add, Singapore ain't a mature society yet. I figured in 10-20 years time, a more mature society will emerge, in which people will have the time and money (!) to appreciate the "finer" things in life.
3. We don't understand how things work in other countries. We are so caught up in our own "success" that we become arrogant and condescending. So when we go to China to do business, for example, we lose money and go bankrupt since we do things in a way against the system of "guanxi" - human to human relationships. Hmmm... maybe this is a more valid criticism. Perhaps if Singaporeans travel more (need money!) and meet foreigners on a regular basis this can improve. Or be more sociable and interact more with all our expats and foreign friends in Singapore.
Can't think of any more at the moment. Even the above sound like sweeping generalisations. But I'll make them for the sake of discussion.
So it seems like I am defending Singaporeans. And why not? I'm a Singaporean. And I don't believe that Singaporeans are stupid =)
posted by Yifan at 10:12 AM
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