Yeah, why not indeed? And for that matter, to the truly patriotic Singaporeans, why not put up the flags the whole year round? Why does it have to be during National Day?
Oh... I almost forgot.... There are rules about displaying our flag here. Firstly, you can't make clothes out of our national flags, like the Americans or the British are prone to do. You have to be mindful to ensure that the stars and the crescent moon on our flags are displayed on the right side, which is, well, on the left side. And oh... you could only display the flag for a certain period after National Day. Displaying your patriotism longer then allowed and you'd get a courtesy call by men appointed by the Gahmen.
I find all these rather amusing. Stand up for Singapore, they said. But hey, you can't stand up indefinitely, even if you want to. Let's not forget how "fine" a city Singapore is.
The STPB is absolutely right when it adopted the slogan "Uniquely Singapore". We Singaporeans are truly unique in our own way. And on this National Day eve, I'd like to reflect on what it truly means to be a Singaporean, or rather, why I think I'm a Singaporean. Well, I call myself a Singaporean because:
- I'm kiasi, kiasu and
verysometimes kiabor. - My favorite pastime is to queue-up at the 4-D outlet every weekend.
- I don't know what you are queuing for here; but I'll join in anyway cos I know it will be something not to be missed.
- I speak Singlish. Cannot meh? My business wat.
- One of my passions is food and I like Hainanese Chicken Rice, Char Kway Teow and Or Luak - in that order.
- I "chop" the seat at the "1000-people restaurant" with my tissue paper and that seat belongs to me!
- I love the gahmen when they gave me my "progress package" but "scolded" (ya, I know it's too mild a word) them when cost of living goes up.
- I know it's crazy, but I paid big bucks for a small piece of paper we call the COE just to get my four wheels.
- I "drag" my wheels to avoid the ERP.
- My the other passion is shopping and I don't usually wait for the Singapore Great Sale to go on a shopping spree.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of what I think Singaporeans are. I'm sure Victor or Chun See would have their very own list... And considering how obsessed Victor is with Sex, the figure 69, rubber and all (his healthy hobby, so he says), I won't be the least surprised if Victor writes:
I'm a Singaporean because I'm so sex and porno deprived.
ROTFLVL.
Category: Musings
7 comments:
Gee, call it a "premonition" of sort. I woke up this morning and the Straits Times headlines on page H7, "Govt open to more ways S'poreans can use flay". Think I'd make a shirt of out our flag soon :P
I think one other way of checking our 'Singaporean-ness' is to look at the things that make us angry. Maybe we shd start a list like that: for example:
When I see people litter and spit in public places; "this is our home" ... isn't that what our song says. Why would you want to dirty your own home?
That was most disrespectful of you, Chris. No, I don't mean the part where you said you "scolded" the gahmen when the cost of living went up but rather, how could you talk about my personal likes and dislikes within a post that also talked about our country's National Day? Very disrespectful to me, you know? HHNNGG!!!
By the way, what is a 'flay'? Spelling it wrong could also be disrespectful and could get you a courtesy call from gahmen-appointed men, you know?
Of your 10 singaporean characteristics, only 2 are in 'my list'....haha..maybe I'll have more in common with Victor.
If you look around the neighbourhood you cannot but feel a sense of pride. She has comes out as a shining example what 41 years of sincere diligent honest hardwork can achieve.
You have all the reason to be proud.
Yes Liling, Singapore has come a long way. And we should be proud. Still, there are minor "nonsensical irritations" about Singaporans that get into me once in a while.
At time like this, I just read the lyrics of Home by the multi-talented Dick Lee to sooth my soul...
Whenever I am feeling low
I look around me and I know
There's a place that will stay within me
whenever I may choose to go
I will always recall the city
Know every street and shore
Sail down the river which brings us life
Winding through my Singapore
This is Home Truly
Where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me
Where that river always flows
This is Home Surely
As my senses tell me
This is where I won't be alone
For this is where I know it's home
Frannxis - I don't suppose 4-D queueing is one of them right? Chun See doesn't indulge in 4-D.
Chun See - that's the danger of hanging around too much with people like Victor. Now I see you're also becoming quite a contrarian. Heh.
Victor - Well, familiarity breeds contempt. Does it not? LOL.
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