So, what do you guys think, especially as Singaporeans, current
or former, living overseas for extended period of time ? ...
but first, take a look at something that I've rooted out on the
internet
From qbuster
I have visited Singapore many times. Most Singaporeans are okay,
particularly those that have accepted their lot in life.
However, there is a small minority that has a superior-inferior
complex. These are the ones with some education and have a very
western-minded view.
While they may speak decent English, it is not good enough to be
global English that everyone understands (think ABC news network
English).
So they speak a very clipped form of English that is neither EU nor
North American, nor is it Chinglish. Your famous SPG-Isabella X/Tan
is a good example for that accent.
We have a few Singaporeans here ... and they do not assimilate
well. Not "white/black" enough to be North American, or Chinese
enough to be accepted by those from Hong Kong, they tend to be
drawn towards the Chinese mainlanders and Taiwanese (since Mandarin
is a common denominator).
They can't seem to get along with the Malaysians nor
Indonesians.
They feel superior to their fellow international students and are
often bad-mouthing them, yet they feel they cannot measure up (i.e.
inferior) to the native North Americans (whites, blacks,
asians).
My most humourous experience was a student picking up black-speak
and trying to dress like they are from the slums of inner
cities.
It is actually hard to teach these kids. They are very bright with
facts and numbers, but when asked to articulate their own ideas
they struggle.
They also feel the need to show up the classmates, and are not very
good team players. There is this inherent competitiveness, which is
pervasive.
When I have met up with a few of my former students in my trips
through Asia, they are very hospitable and always welcomed me to a
huge meal and banquet.
Surprisingly they never fail to tell me how much the meals are or
how important they are in society - I do have a few former students
who are policy advisors to the government.
And they like to reminisce yet they aren't much to reminisce about
as they often do not participate in campus life and if they did,
they would with their own types.
Love it when they asked about their "favourite" football team, when
in fact they care less about football.
Most talk to me as though Singapore is a regional and global
powerhouse, when in reality it is not very significant.
I love our few discusssions on Singapore's policies on Iraq and
Afghanistan and how they are affecting Bush's popularity.
As far as I know, there are no Singaporean soldiers serving in
either of these countries.
So, yeah ... I tend to agree. Singaporeans do have a poorly placed
sense of importance that seemed innate to the Singaporean
psyche.
Sorry for the blunt assessment.
it came from here
http://www.littlespeck.com/informed/2006/CInformed-061228.htm
Perhaps some of us are 
ing now as we read through the list,
certainly, there are some points that I know I'm personally guilty
of ( )
but do you agree that Singaporeans do not assimilate well ? that
we're caught between the east and west, a vague sense of malaise
that only Singaporeans, uniquely sandwiched between the orient and
the occident, can experience ?
