I think we cannot blame this complain mentality, and nor is it such a uniquely singaporean trait. People act and react to things and how they react can be in various forms of expressions. Complaining is just a lazy excuse and another form of expression to promote the status quo...and hopefully, life goes on as the saying goes... this 'complain' mentality stems largely from the paternistic style of government that has conditioned many to believe the government as their father or some worship idol status. Interestingly, I knew of an old folk who bought many books written by a certain minister and proudly displaying it in his living room cabinet like some godly bible or statue that can ward off evil. Years later, he took them away and junk them all to the garang guni man. he didnt complain. well, that is his form of expression. But many forget that it is the people who elect their government to power, entitlement and all say, so they should do their jobs and make sure things don't go wrong. And because of our culture, one should be a respectful bowing yes man subject to every decree that is passed may just make things worse. No questions asked or you will be sued till your pants drop. It is not typical of Singaporeans per se, but it so happens that since independence, many have struggled hard for economic success and few have ever questioned about other issues (even those that affect economic well being) until certain policies don't quite work out and the so called 'elites' are unable to find the right solutions. the everyday person, feeling lost and more than betrayed will just have to express all their frustrations. While the latter feels that all the time they have been charting the course and making all the decisions, the former has no right to question. This unwritten rule will further widen the distrust. Participation is a genuine 2 way process. If it is just a token speech, there is no point. And all along, 'Complain', 'whining' etc becomes a general speak that brainwashes'the public into thinking that it is something bad and you should rather keep your mouth shut, study hard, question no authority, make money and see how you can practically pay up your loans for that pigeon hole flat and whatever COEs. Complains can be opinions and some being rather factual problems but they are usually quashed by 'majority' who feels that Singaporeans should not even raise a sound or talk about those in power. This has led to an extremely low political awareness to the point that if some one were to even stage a talk or event on capital punishment, outdated laws or human rights, many will generalize these as anti-government radicals. Just like there must be conflict before it becomes constructive, and when these become constructive, a change must be put in place. If the voice stops there, there is no follow through to the process of legitimate change in place and indeed if Singapore were to catch up with the rest of the world and be truely global, it will not reach that stage. It is no point practising a leadership style that consults but already has a decision engineered by a privvy few even before it is raised by others. So, same thing goes for criticism. The schools have already incalcated the young very well into conformation e.g. obedient, follow the rules, memorize your text etc. Good things, but not to the extreme. As can be seen, the single minded pursuit to be no.1 in everything and anything has its shortcomings, e.g. 'let our zen quash that ipod' challenge only brings disappointment because one is being so focused about a target and having just a one track mind would lead one oblivious to other issues and the outside world. Or if women are getting so focused in their careers that they sacrifice in terms of even finding a date when they hit 40. Hence, even if some characteristics are good, it must not be too good for its own sake. Same for being questioning. The problem occurs when an individual fears that even a silent whisper/criticism will be quashed with such retribution that he begins to think that the fault must lie solely with the individual. So, complaining is still at a far behind 'safe' stage, because it is figured that few will act but the result is nothing will be changed and so, it is celebrated as a form of 'harmony'. If one begins to feel like a 'dog', it is dangerous as it could signal higher discontent and possible revolt, and one must be careful which direction to tread and whether any herd mentality makes sense, like those you see in political rallies or religious events with sing-song rara hold your hands that gets participant's emotions all worked up. some dogs will bark but dont bite, while some quiet dogs just bite and very viciously too. and there will be other dogs that look for ways to seek for better master. so barking dogs are more preferred, but if it is let to bark too long, it becomes hungry and quiet, and then it is time to fear.
Originally posted by ndsef:
No offence Drawer... When I look at your post I see a typical Singaporean blaming the garmen for everything that has happened to him / her. This is also the main reason why we are so badly hit by the economic crisis. Everyone is waiting for the garmen to do something about it. And when the garmen actually does something and did not do well enough, we blame them. Why is that so?
We have become a society that relies too heavily on the garmen to help us. Everytime something goes wrong, we blame the garmen. But when something goes right, we forgot that it is the garmen that is helping us. I think this is a serious flaw of the PAP system. We are brought up this way by them.
Take a look at HK and Taiwan. Why businessmen there are far more superior and "scheming" when compared to Singaporeans?
HK like Singapore was a British Colony, till 1997. The British weren't exactly looking after the HK citizens, they are left to fend for themselves like stray dogs. From there, HK businessmen worked their way up themselves.
Taiwan is even more jia lat case, their garmen is only interested in getting more votes and throwing punches at each other.
Businessmen there have no one to blame when their business fails. But in Singapore, we need the garmen to tell us... " hey look... India is up and coming lets all go there and invest." Then we follow.
We Singaporean are a bunch of domesticated "dogs" who need the bowl to be filled by our owners as we do not know how to go out and hunt for food.
Sorry if my comments hurt anyone, and the analogy of dogs has no racial or religion links.