A trait of the people in this country. The tendency to profile, compare and make assumptions or judgemental comments.
Case 1:
Me to Colleague A: “Hmm looks like a good camera, I should check it out.”
Hours later, a comment is made to me by Colleague B: “Hey I heard that you’re looking to buy a new camera. Wow, the others are saying you’re spending your bonus before even getting it”.
Case 2:
Whilst eating lunch, I choke on a piece of spicy rendang, gulped down my drink and then ate whatever I could left on the plate.
Comment from Colleague C:”Can’t take the spice huh? I think you’ve been in a western country for far too long”
Huh? Since when did not being able to take spicy food have to do with being in a western country? Did anyone ever think that perhaps I just generally can’t take spicy food?”
Another rather intriguing trait about the local populace is the inerrant knack to profile and compare. While discussing modes of transport and route to work:
Case 1
Colleague A: “Hey where do you live?”
Me: “I live in B suburb”
Colleagues A’s eyes widen: “Ohh private house??”
Me: “Nah govt housing”
Colleague A :”Oh. I didn’t know they have govt housing there.”
I swear I could hear the disappointment in her voice.
Colleague B:” Hey which school did you go to?”
Me: “Er..why?”
Colleague B: “I just want to know lah”
Me: “Er…a school in the east. Why?”
Colleague A: “Ohh which school in the east”
Me: “SP school”
Colleague B: “Ohh alot of the students there have rich parents”
Me: “?!??!”
So they like finding out where you live and which school you attend so that they can profile your family income level. It’s a common thing here which I’ve seem to have long forgotten.’
Here’s a final one that a friend said to me the other day:
Friend A: “So which company do you for now?”
Me: “Blah Inc”
Friend A: “Wow so good (Singlish). You must be earning alot now”
It’s disturbing how the local populace uses this to gauge how well you’re doing or to compare their lifestyles to yours. Fucking irritating.
