Like most countries, there's always an ethnic, race or whatever you want to label it, predominant group trying to wrestle control and spread their network (wealth), culture and stifle any other race around.
I am a peranakan guy growing up in a poor family and I can say I took the brunt of most these Chinese Ed hatred since I could remember. Typical english ed are rich and hence arrogant from what I observed. But because I talk like them due to my better "england" and culture I end up with the sam brush but without the safety net of the rich network and lifestyle to avoid such cretins.
Looking back as an adult now. I find it strange that such is the way of life for minorities in singapore. When I was in the army, surely I was badly bullied and beaten. And like my Indian friend across the other company complained equally the same issues with these chinese ed I encountered. At that time and age, I thought I was the problem and I didn't even know about this Chinese Ed issue, let alone protected.
In the political scene, Tang Liang Hong confronted this issue to the most ugliest possible and I thought he sucked cos he brought other factors in like religion and status and turned it into a circus. Yes, there's some truth in it but the big picture painted was distorted and wrong, like what if a Chinese ed was christian? I believe its better handled at a personal basis. Such issue can never be solved by "policies".
As I grew up, I see my job opportunities being taken away by these chinese ed as again, I had no like minded network. In fact, competing in interviews for executive jobs, speaking much better than the ah beng without much effort didnt land me any decent jobs. At one time during the recession, for a customer service job with Starhub. When I spoke fluently, the ah lian interviewers face turned soured and hostle. Some ppl just dont know that expressions are obvious. Mind you, I am not the ABC fake slanger type. I can also speak hokkien like the pai kia style as I came from such low life schools. Its so bad that the schools defunct now.
And even, when I got the job, guess what? Yep, the harrassment didnt stop. You find these cretins being backstabbing colleagues. Not the usual ones that try to bring u down and get themselves promoted. The "ostracising, lying, defamimg, backstabbing, get promoted and got you fired at the same time type.
Sometimes, when I see these ah bengs in their pseudo sports car, Subaru and the ilk, with their golden pork floss disaster of a hair, playing loud neon strobing music, while I waited for my next bus ride, I cringe at the thought of Capitalism's cruel way of showing the survival of the fittest motto.
Thankfully, in a strange way, the govt decision of opening the PR floodgates sort of defused the whole chinese ad stranglehold. Now, they are busy bitching about these ppl, a taste of their own medicine as I hope one day, they end up like a minority and go through what I did.
I wonder how many minorities went through life like me. rant over.
I always enjoy watching kids play. Black or white, girls and boys, they would innocently mingle with one another, rich or poor, here in our homeland. When you talk to them, they seem to have high hopes and confidence in their future - to be teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, a soldier to protect the country, etc, in their sweet smiles and wide opened bright eyes.
When they reach secondary schools, some of the innocence is sadly lost. They begin to be more aware of each other, and hidden fault lines that once was not there starts to appear.
Material wealth, favoritism, exam achievements divides them into differing cliques. Being young and immature, and worse if the home environment was not of the nurturing kind, they are unaware of their own potential - some be good at academic subjects, some just are slow starters. Some are good with hands, some good at other things, things which are gifts that are inherent in every human soul, unknown by them and only yet to be realized....
I am saddened whenever I see intellectuals seeking to protect their own self interest at the expense of others, by looking down on others to make themself look exclusive,ultimately dividing society into Them and US. That IS NEVER the aim of education, for education was meant to help and improve not only oneself, but others around him as well.
The ah beng may not be an intellect in academic sense or have excellent grasp in languages, but he is not without basic senses and abilities, at times even abilities that would put a PHD to shame. He is a human being, one of us.
He is where he is today, often not by choice, but by negative influences, his environment, his self confidence destroyed by a society hell bent on obtaining a degree, or be deemed a faillure, as well as limited places and funds in colleges and Uni. Should he be given funds and time with a nurturing environment, he too may turn out to be a PHD scholar.
But no society can support a nation of PHD scholars, more so the monetary compensations it presumes that doctorate should be entitled to. Each has his/her own natural gift which complements and benefits society, and must be allowed to grow and shine.
The ah beng is a fellow human, a fellow law abiding citizen, just like anyone of us. He is equally hard working and while may be capable of the worst, he/she would be fully capable of the best for our society, if given the chance, just like anyone else, you and me included.
There really is no THEM or US. They are us and we are them - equal human first then citizens. We bleed the same, and aspire the same, if given the chance. Let us not divide, but seek ways to bridge our gaps, for we are ONE.
They too, were the bright eyed innocent kids with hopes and aspirations just like everyone else, rich or poor, clever or late bloomer, indian, malay, chinese, peranakan, or mixed. This is Singapore, our heritage and our future.
hmm
them us, aiya stop sounding like the govt. lah repeating their cultural integration mantra.
I faced the same issues with the TS my whole life, working here growing up in another place. but TS, take heart, do the attas thing all the way and stop worrying about trying to come down to whoever's level. This is called pleasing man. There is enough of pleasing man going around already. Focus on your good points, not the lowering your standards points. Don't care how others perceive you. What's it to you? Don't let them affect you... I can't speak Mandarin very well and face these types of customer service and people all the time. In fact you should turn on your power even more, to show that you're not even local, they'll treat you differently and better.
If you have "elite" coming through your words, the elite will eventually pick it up and use it which will inadvertently benefit you. Ever heard of fake it till you make it? Even ah bengs and lians have fako crappy Americo accents.
When I read xtreyier first sentence, I tot it's some Miss World Speech. Get real. this is a dog eats dog world.
As if this thread being chucked into Aunt Agony section not bad enough, I have to listen to this bullcrap talk.
Spade1 kudos reply. thanks for the honesty and appreciate theres ppl like us around. I agree I am not the angkat type which aggravated my ostrasizing even further. Luckily, i turned frm marketing exec struggler wannabe (alot of ah beng and lians now inflitrating what once was a respectable attas job) to graphics designer.
One way to beat them is show tangibility through works which cuts through the bullshit. Funny how these cheena ppl like my european design style but end up wanting to fudge back to their "asia" feel. Hypocrisy and confused identity comes to mind. They hate ang mos but end up spending a huge amount on Italian bags.
However, I admit I never liked ang mos. From my experience, most expatriates are arrogant bastards but at least they don't get you at a personal level. And no hypocrisy.
The truth is, in the larger scheme of things, the rich local elite is causing problems at the bottom levels of society, keeping us busy, fighting with each other whoever we may be. Be it the education system, family policies, housing, its everwhere in the forum and social engineering is one tool they love to keep at us. Maybe my message altho anti cheena has a duality to it.
Meaning that the ah bengs should focus their anger towards the RICH elite (be it cheena elite or english ed elite) rather than us poor bastards who happened to be more westernised.
Originally posted by KnowMyPower:When I read xtreyier first sentence, I tot it's some Miss World Speech. Get real. this is a dog eats dog world.
As if this thread being chucked into Aunt Agony section not bad enough, I have to listen to this bullcrap talk.
Spade1 kudos reply. thanks for the honesty and appreciate theres ppl like us around. I agree I am not the angkat type which aggravated my ostrasizing even further. Luckily, i turned frm marketing exec struggler wannabe (alot of ah beng and lians now inflitrating what once was a respectable attas job) to graphics designer.
One way to beat them is show tangibility through works which cuts through the bullshit. Funny how these cheena ppl like my european design style but end up wanting to fudge back to their "asia" feel. Hypocrisy and confused identity comes to mind. They hate ang mos but end up spending a huge amount on Italian bags.
However, I admit I never liked ang mos. From my experience, most expatriates are arrogant bastards but at least they don't get you at a personal level. And no hypocrisy.
The truth is, in the larger scheme of things, the rich local elite is causing problems at the bottom levels of society, keeping us busy, fighting with each other whoever we may be. Be it the education system, family policies, housing, its everwhere in the forum and social engineering is one tool they love to keep at us. Maybe my message altho anti cheena has a duality to it.
Meaning that the ah bengs should focus their anger towards the RICH elite (be it cheena elite or english ed elite) rather than us poor bastards who happened to be more westernised.
I will disregard your ill manners, as it is irrelevant and serves no purpose except to show you frustrations and incivility. To continue your way would only degenerate into a flame war, the last thing i would want here in AA.
A question remains - Have you thought of reaching out to the Ah Bengs, making friends, instead of securing your own elitism and promoting hate amongst your fellow citizens?
Are one or a few bad incidents justifiable to generalize ALL the chinese eds as ah bengs, uncouth, and uncivilised as you, presumably trying to promote your own exclusivity and elitism, have obviously shown in reponse and criticism of my post?
Do drop the blinkers and take a long hard look at yourself. I have no ill will towards you, even if you have of me. You owe it to yourself to make your life happy, and discontent only breeds hatred, evidently in you and had blinded you, clouded your rational judgements.
Good luck.
Originally posted by KnowMyPower:When I read xtreyier first sentence, I tot it's some Miss World Speech. Get real. this is a dog eats dog world.
As if this thread being chucked into Aunt Agony section not bad enough, I have to listen to this bullcrap talk.
Spade1 kudos reply. thanks for the honesty and appreciate theres ppl like us around. I agree I am not the angkat type which aggravated my ostrasizing even further. Luckily, i turned frm marketing exec struggler wannabe (alot of ah beng and lians now inflitrating what once was a respectable attas job) to graphics designer.
One way to beat them is show tangibility through works which cuts through the bullshit. Funny how these cheena ppl like my european design style but end up wanting to fudge back to their "asia" feel. Hypocrisy and confused identity comes to mind. They hate ang mos but end up spending a huge amount on Italian bags.
However, I admit I never liked ang mos. From my experience, most expatriates are arrogant bastards but at least they don't get you at a personal level. And no hypocrisy.
The truth is, in the larger scheme of things, the rich local elite is causing problems at the bottom levels of society, keeping us busy, fighting with each other whoever we may be. Be it the education system, family policies, housing, its everwhere in the forum and social engineering is one tool they love to keep at us. Maybe my message altho anti cheena has a duality to it.
Meaning that the ah bengs should focus their anger towards the RICH elite (be it cheena elite or english ed elite) rather than us poor bastards who happened to be more westernised.
for my pri and sec education, my school environment was english-dominated. we would speak english even to the chinese teachers in class, making them very pissed off.
in first day of JC i was shocked that most of my new classmates preferred mandarin. took me a long time to adapt. In NS also, mandarin and chinese dialects the way to go. now in uni, many PRC students and profs around. I wonder if I can adapt next time when I go back to an english working environment.
Life is all about adapting.
;p
Just for discussion sake, the root bitterness against the chinese eds probably stems from the current buzz centred on society's emphasis on Mandarin, to cope and compete witht a rising economic power that is China.
The english eds probably feel threatened by such moves, espacially amongst some who had difficulty coping with learning mandarin, and fear that mandarin would be made the dominant lingo in Singapore.
Such views are greatly unfounded, for english, being the world's most common trade lingo, will always be dominant. China is but a country, just as malaysia, japan, etc are. Science and Tech is still taught in English, and discoveries largely founded by Western societies.
It would serve one economically well to be proficient in languages, but most critical is what one offers that counts the most. Lingos are only a means of communication, and to get that deal, a lot of other factors still counts.
Do not forget, MM Lee only apologised for the way Mandarin was taught in the past, and DID NOT apologise for 'forcing' English onto us, and that lingo resulted largely in our progress and advancement.
I think the english eds ought not to fear, for it isnt likely that trade lingo be replaced anytime soon, if at all. The MPs will have to ally such ungrounded fears. Not need to indulge in 'them' and 'us' bigotry.
You xtreyier sir, are a complete moron.
Read my thread again. this time slowly. Perhaps your rich latte at a high crass cafe clouded your numb skull. As you sit comfortably in your cosy office overlooking shenton way river, typing in your expensive looking keyboard.
How did I breed hatred when its the majority chinese ed that started this war because of RICH elite people like you - the saint josephs/andrews, Raffles, "you will be future leaders of this country" brainwash elitism it seems the way you brush such topics aside. How condescending of you to beat down the poor guy who took the brunt of your elitism. A very big fuck you. You never experience the ugly end of the stick every fucking day and you wanna talk shit.
With your soft and rose tinted glasses character you would have killed yourself if you went through even 1 month of my life. Oh, you dont like the reality? Go and watch reruns of blockbuster Little Nonya la. You wonder why so much interest from the Chinese majority yet so much hatred towards us. Secretly envy our rich culture right. Or did you enjoy the drama of us torturing each other?
If not for my patience and adaptability, I would not have survived this long. And why cant I tell the truth here isit. All the minority ppl I spoke to one way or another have agreed with me so dont talk the govt style of using statistics. Not convinced? Look at the RECRUIT section and see how many local employers looking for "SPEAK CHINESE ONLY", "CHINESE SPEAKING ONLY".
Look I dont take sides. Peranakans are mixed malay and chinese culture. By nature we are neutral. Its the chinese hardcore majority that has attacked us using majority tactics for so long.
So why dont you back down or REALLY propose something constructive instead. Oh, a little honesty and apology on behalf of your "ethnicity" would do fine for us minority too.
Originally posted by xtreyier:Just for discussion sake, the root bitterness against the chinese eds probably stems from the current buzz centred on society's emphasis on Mandarin, to cope and compete witht a rising economic power that is China.
The english eds probably feel threatened by such moves, espacially amongst some who had difficulty coping with learning mandarin, and fear that mandarin would be made the dominant lingo in Singapore.
Such views are greatly unfounded, for english, being the world's most common trade lingo, will always be dominant. China is but a country, just as malaysia, japan, etc are. Science and Tech is still taught in English, and discoveries largely founded by Western societies.
It would serve one economically well to be proficient in languages, but most critical is what one offers that counts the most. Lingos are only a means of communication, and to get that deal, a lot of other factors still counts.
Do not forget, MM Lee only apologised for the way Mandarin was taught in the past, and DID NOT apologise for 'forcing' English onto us, and that lingo resulted largely in our progress and advancement.
I think the english eds ought not to fear, for it isnt likely that trade lingo be replaced anytime soon, if at all. The MPs will have to ally such ungrounded fears. Not need to indulge in 'them' and 'us' bigotry.
For your info, BASED ON SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH ON BILIGUALISM.
The real reason for the mandarin and english language disparity is because of the great difference in culture and thought process in both languages. Go and check.
thats the reason why one cant adapt to each other. Not Singaporeans fault. Perfect biligualism under findings in various countries achieved only about 7% from the population. And thats including those adaptable languages like say french and english. Malay and english.
Thats why our good MM Lee's son with all the help this good prosperous country cna offer, still struggles.
That sir is a fact.
Originally posted by KnowMyPower:You xtreyier sir, are a complete moron.
Read my thread again. this time slowly. Perhaps your rich latte at a high crass cafe clouded your numb skull. As you sit comfortably in your cosy office overlooking shenton way river, typing in your expensive looking keyboard.
How did I breed hatred when its the majority chinese ed that started this war because of RICH elite people like you - the saint josephs/andrews, Raffles, "you will be future leaders of this country" brainwash elitism it seems the way you brush such topics aside. How condescending of you to beat down the poor guy who took the brunt of your elitism. A very big fuck you. You never experience the ugly end of the stick every fucking day and you wanna talk shit.
With your soft and rose tinted glasses character you would have killed yourself if you went through even 1 month of my life. Oh, you dont like the reality? Go and watch reruns of blockbuster Little Nonya la. You wonder why so much interest from the Chinese majority yet so much hatred towards us. Secretly envy our rich culture right. Or did you enjoy the drama of us torturing each other?
If not for my patience and adaptability, I would not have survived this long. And why cant I tell the truth here isit. All the minority ppl I spoke to one way or another have agreed with me so dont talk the govt style of using statistics. Not convinced? Look at the RECRUIT section and see how many local employers looking for "SPEAK CHINESE ONLY", "CHINESE SPEAKING ONLY".
Look I dont take sides. Peranakans are mixed malay and chinese culture. By nature we are neutral. Its the chinese hardcore majority that has attacked us using majority tactics for so long.
So why dont you back down or REALLY propose something constructive instead. Oh, a little honesty and apology on behalf of your "ethnicity" would do fine for us minority too.
Lol! It's always entertaining watching how egoistical fools like you rant and rave and demand for apologies instead when shown errors of your ways.
Do not presume to know me and what I had gone thru in life. You dont know and may never will.
Rather than to engage in a senseless verbal with you, go ahead and feel free to continue with your rant, speaking for yourself only as I know more people like you who had succeeded and integrated well, even muti-lingually, if ranting makes you feel better to blame others for your own mistakes and inaction.
But come end of the day, you will still be no nearer to a solution, and i doubt if you can get a rational one here if you continue in this manner.
Cheers!
Originally posted by KnowMyPower:You xtreyier sir, are a complete moron.
Read my thread again. this time slowly. Perhaps your rich latte at a high crass cafe clouded your numb skull. As you sit comfortably in your cosy office overlooking shenton way river, typing in your expensive looking keyboard.
How did I breed hatred when its the majority chinese ed that started this war because of RICH elite people like you - the saint josephs/andrews, Raffles, "you will be future leaders of this country" brainwash elitism it seems the way you brush such topics aside. How condescending of you to beat down the poor guy who took the brunt of your elitism. A very big fuck you. You never experience the ugly end of the stick every fucking day and you wanna talk shit.
With your soft and rose tinted glasses character you would have killed yourself if you went through even 1 month of my life. Oh, you dont like the reality? Go and watch reruns of blockbuster Little Nonya la. You wonder why so much interest from the Chinese majority yet so much hatred towards us. Secretly envy our rich culture right. Or did you enjoy the drama of us torturing each other?
If not for my patience and adaptability, I would not have survived this long. And why cant I tell the truth here isit. All the minority ppl I spoke to one way or another have agreed with me so dont talk the govt style of using statistics. Not convinced? Look at the RECRUIT section and see how many local employers looking for "SPEAK CHINESE ONLY", "CHINESE SPEAKING ONLY".
Look I dont take sides. Peranakans are mixed malay and chinese culture. By nature we are neutral. Its the chinese hardcore majority that has attacked us using majority tactics for so long.
So why dont you back down or REALLY propose something constructive instead. Oh, a little honesty and apology on behalf of your "ethnicity" would do fine for us minority too.
What's the point of posting in a public discussion forum if all you are doing is being abusive? I stopped at "are a complete moron".
If you've already made up your mind and prepared your conclusions, a forum ain't for you...
I second BadzMaro's post.
Oh, so where you from good sir and what is your humble background if I may so dare intrude?
As you so deceivingly come here and pull a fast fluffy generalisation and then disappear into thin air. I thought you having the last word may seem so premature like ejaculation or isit immature?
I bring to the table, facts. Albeit my uncouth manner may be antagonizing to the said group but at least its empathically understandable. But to the neutral, you sir are the real devious villain as when a simple truth like the racial employment injustice are brought forward, you end up not able to refute.
sorry, but there's no red carpet roll out or trophy this time to give out to your "civilised" personal attacks on me. At least I am honest and I dont like you. And I would say again - FUCK YOU, if you have nothing to say. Why, because, this thread wasn't calling out for creeps like you.
Oh, and I dont have to go through life like you too. In spite with all the undue woes I have, thank god as He is just and has blessed me with a beautiful, sexy and loving girlfriend to go back to everyday. At least I know its love. The rich elite on the other hand, willl never know if the bitch they have truly ever loved them for wat they are or is that warm fuzzy feeling called money and status that got them a free fuck in the first place. Go and enjoy your fake plastic lifestyles and dont cry like a faggot when the moneys dried up.
It's really amazing what evil ugly people would go through to lie about injustice? Look at the state of the world nowadays. Its the bad people that are normally rich.
Is it any coincidence too that most ugly people are rich? You know the luohan rat-faced looking dude, zipping around in that red Ferrari you just saw. Yeah, I saw his envious face when he saw my girlfriend next to me. Disgusting.
Originally posted by Chunhow:What's the point of posting in a public discussion forum if all you are doing is being abusive? I stopped at "are a complete moron".
If you've already made up your mind and prepared your conclusions, a forum ain't for you...
Dear Chunhow,
If your england is broken dont point your "abusive" finger so fast, Cheena friend.
Read my last line.
it's meant to reach out to minorities like me and its a rant. So if a pretender like xtreyier comes along and gives a seemingly "general neutral empathic" assessment of "ah beng" which is not the "ah beng" we all know, and leaves nothing on the miniority side. I would assume him being a sneaky uninvited fucker.
So either you are a sneaky fucker like him or a lazy Cheena. If you are go take grab your Chinese-England Dictionary and go find the dictionary what the word rant is. I am sure its not sarcasm, I am not a mean fucker picking on grammer. But at least have the the fucking humility to check my word content before embarassing yourself.
The country is going backwards with you cheena lots already. Leave the english forums to us. I believe there's a chinese forum for you somewhere.
Originally posted by KnowMyPower:Dear Chunhow,
If your england is broken dont point your "abusive" finger so fast, Cheena friend.
Read my last line.
it's meant to reach out to minorities like me and its a rant. So if a pretender like xtreyier comes along and gives a seemingly "general neutral empathic" assessment of "ah beng" which is not the "ah beng" we all know, and leaves nothing on the miniority side. I would assume him being a sneaky uninvited fucker.
So either you are a sneaky fucker like him or a lazy Cheena. If you are go take grab your Chinese-England Dictionary and go find the dictionary what the word rant is. I am sure its not sarcasm, I am not a mean fucker picking on grammer. But at least have the the fucking humility to check my word content before embarassing yourself.
The country is going backwards with you cheena lots already. Leave the english forums to us. I believe there's a chinese forum for you somewhere.
Rant or abuse or rhetoric, these posts are epic!
Originally posted by Chunhow:Rant or abuse or rhetoric, these posts are epic!
Chunhow, let him be.
Let him wallow in his pathetic inferiority complex. He even calls himself a 'westernised bastard'. It's in his words, literally.
He may complain about the chinese ed bullying others, but who had really been doing the bullying here? None other than him.
His bitterness is obvious for all to see. He hates those below him, whom he categorised as chinese ed and derogatively as Ah Bengs. and hates those above him as evil ugly brainwashed elites who envies his supposedly sexy hot babe waiting at home for him. What she does while he is at work would be anyone's guess.
He claims to speak up for the minorities, but the only one who is blowing hot air, speaking up only for his OWN ego, being abusive and racist is this self admitted 'westernised bastard'.
He may claim to want to talk about discriminatory practices with job advertisements, but that's already a no-brainer. An EXAMPLE:- which company would hire a japanese who speaks only japanese if the company's clients are majority spanish speakers? More so when we are diversifying to other markets around the world? Are there no other jobs that requires an employee capable to speak only english, a common trade lingo? Or is he just too lazy to find, and in his usual bastardized style, to generalize all and everyone as bad except for him?
He only wants to rant, to boost himself and his over-inflated ego up, which had long been in tatters left by his lackluster achievements in life, by lashing out at others to make himself look and feel better, at those who are below, above and even beside him.
He dont need help. So leave this 'poor westernised bastard' ( his own words, I kid you not) alone to drown in his own self inflicted hate filled misery. I pity him. Such needless and unnecessary pain....