Singapore Expats

Ok, so today I had the craziest experience since I have been here (true story follows). Albeit only a year, I realised I have quickly learned what we can and cannot discuss in public here in SG. And how that's different to home. But then of course, home for me is not home for everyone. So I thought: what do you guys NOT talk about?

So here's the story:

I got in a taxi at Bukit Timah Plaza and told the driver which street I wanted to go to. No problem, he knew the one. Excellent, I thought - perhaps he knows my condo too. I tried: "Do you know Signature Park?" "Huh?", he responded. Okay no worries, I could direct him if need be. "Oh!", he said a second later "You mean Seenacha Paa?". "Yeah", said I. He then responded (and this is the bit where it gets nutty): "OK, so I no speak English well because LKY is a mutha-farker". POP went my eyeballs! We don't discuss politics here! Yeah, so the ride home from the supermarket was an interesting one today, finishing up with a *begging* taxi driver saying: "please don't take my taxi number - and do not say this to anyone, ah?" It didn't really bother me at all. I mean, I have said FAR worse than that about MP's (and done far worse in protests) at home... and the rest...

But, it got me thinking...

At home, we don't discuss money. I don't have any idea how much money my best friends earn, what my mother paid for her house or her car or how high my brothers' credit card debts are (and I am very close to my brothers) and I find it incredibly VULGAR when expats here openly say that the company pays for their housing, or asks what we get in a package (nothing, btw).

We also do not discuss race. Yes, you might have Asian features or have a surname that sounds Pacfic in origin, but it would be a long, long time before I ever asked you about it. I found it shocking the first few times I wrote "Caucasian" on a race section of a form here.

When Eric got on his sex-bandwagon, I could only read as my socialisation could not stretch that far... And, I'm still in my 20's!

How about you guys? What do you NOT discuss? Anything really taboo?

k1w1 wrote:How about you guys? What do you NOT discuss? Anything really taboo?

At 58? Nothing is taboo. Matter of fact, pretty soon that's all I'll be able to do - just talk about it!

k1w1 wrote: How about you guys? What do you NOT discuss? Anything really taboo?

At the moment the current form and fortune of Southampton FC is definitely not allowed to be discussed in my presence

No

Saint wrote:

k1w1 wrote: How about you guys? What do you NOT discuss? Anything really taboo?

At the moment the current form and fortune of Southampton FC is definitely not allowed to be discussed in my presence

Ay, yes. Football (rugby for us, of course). Religion for all non-believers and church for those that do believe. We do not discuss this either, except of course when we've just slaughtered someone than we just don't shut up...

k1w1 wrote:Religion for all non-believers and church for those that do believe. We do not discuss this either, except of course when we've just slaughtered someone than we just don't shut up...

Yep, my mom always told us never to discuss religion. Not sure that it's taboo exactly but many of us chinese hardly discuss affection, for each other that is. I don't reckon my mom or dad has ever said 'I love you' to me or my sis
Another thing I know most never discuss-a 'disgrace' in the family.

jag78 wrote: Yep, my mom always told us never to discuss religion. Not sure that it's taboo exactly but many of us chinese hardly discuss affection, for each other that is. I don't reckon my mom or dad has ever said 'I love you' to me or my sis
Another thing I know most never discuss-a 'disgrace' in the family.

Totally agree with you Jag, Mrs S found the close affection from my family and friends quite alien, someone actually greeting you by kissing you on the cheek especially in public in the middle of a pub

It's definitely nothing I got while living in Singapore and nothing I saw amongst Mrs S family

Mrs S is now very used to this greeting and likes it

Now then, this is an interesting thread........

OK, here goes. I'm British, guess you all know that, Welsh to be precise, but PROUD TO BE A BRIT....lol.

Anyway, when I came to Singapore in the early 90's, and all through my eight years there...also on every visit since (usually twice a year, two weeks) the same thing amazes me with Singaporeans, though God knows why, I should be used to it by now....

You say something to a local friend like.....'Yeah, I live near .....in so and so condo....' and they more than likely will ask....'How much you pay for that?'

Or, you say you went to such and such a place on hols....same question is asked....or you bought shoes, or a airline ticket, or ANYTHING....and it's always a straight, in your face question, 'How much?'

Now, I do not mind this, and will always tell, but if there are any other Brits out there, back me up here......for us, that's almost like asking how often you go to the toilet, and what colour is it?....amazingly different.

Also, sex....well, it had to come up, didn't it? (yes, pun intended boys)...anyway....you in Singapore are so sweet and 'quiet' about it, a little blush here and a little laugh there....when we will talk about just about anything......

Threesomes....we'll tell you what we think......Karma Sutra...yep, you'll get our favourite number......affairs...we'll let you know if you ask what we think about them....contraception, yep, the pill, coil, withdrawal, implants, nothing is sacred.

Now, not sure if the above is a good thing, but honestly, we really were brought up to say and think out loud...not that we always do, but I think I speak for the great majority here (Brits that is) when I say that even if we are inclinded to hold our tongue, we always know that if we have a big enough bee in our bonnets that no one will come and take us away if we just SAY IT.

And that's where the Oriental beauty comes in, you seem to be very reserved.....of course, our members here are outspoken, but really, it's a thing which is very obvious in all things in Singapore. Very well mannered in that way. I think, to be honest, when an expat man chooses a mate from down your way that the ability to be 'not in your face' is very attractive......not that your girls are wuzzes, no way, they just have other ways of having their say, when us Brits will say, 'Hey mate, what'dya mean by THAT? EH, WHAT?' You know what I mean.

So, two BIG differences I think, and definately two subjects which we can discuss ad nauseum here but have to zip it over there, well...a little bit anyway.

See what I mean, totally OTT and won't shut her gob, that's me, so I'll shut it now, yeah?

LOLOL.

Bubbs.

Blinking Norah, I should use spell check, I mean 'definitely', and who knows how many other boo boo's .....

SIGH!!!

Bubbs, I just love the way you write and can see exactly why you are penning a couple of books, put me down for a couple of signed 1st editions please!?

Your "How Much" description is so so true and reminds me of a friend of ours in Singapore who is bit of a computer/gadget geek. Every time I would buy a new "toy" the 1st thing he would ask was "How Much"

Even when Mrs S and I were planning our wedding he would always ask how much was this and that! In the end I said to him the old saying, "If you have to ask, you can't afford"

Bubbles wrote: Also, sex....well, it had to come up, didn't it? (yes, pun intended boys)...anyway....you in Singapore are so sweet and 'quiet' about it, a little blush here and a little laugh there....when we will talk about just about anything......

Yes, sex is something we don't talk about in Singapore Sometimes the topic would crop up when the girls together. Then somewhere along the line, someone would exclaim "too much information!", we'll all laugh and then change topic.

The only people Singaporeans I know who are open about talking about sexuality or joking about it are the gay guys. They're a scream sometimes, but always fun to talk to

How about weight?Where i come from its considered rude to discuss someones weight(in a derogatary sense of course!) Here it seems an accepted second sentence...Hi How are you long time no see....Oh you bigger now....So rude!!

At home agree with previous posts.Money definately...religion...if you dont want to get into an arguement...vegetrianism...and hunting!!!

yikes sorry about the spelling!!

locallass wrote:Yes, sex is something we don't talk about in Singapore Sometimes the topic would crop up when the girls together. Then somewhere along the line, someone would exclaim "too much information!", we'll all laugh and then change topic.

Maybe that's one of the reasons Singapore is at the bottom of the Durex list of frequency of "doing it"!

Also, sex....well, it had to come up, didn't it? (yes, pun intended boys)...anyway....you in Singapore are so sweet and 'quiet' about it, a little blush here and a little laugh there....when we will talk about just about anything......

haha.. Well I definitely disagree with tis.. I seem to feel that guys talk about sex more openly? Whereas its the girls who refuse to say anything.. Just mention thay 3 alphabet word.. And you can see "the look of horror upon thou faces"...

The only people Singaporeans I know who are open about talking about sexuality or joking about it are the gay guys. They're a scream sometimes, but always fun to talk to

Oh yes.. this is so true.. Don't forget to throw in the metros as well!!