Singapore Expats

I've learnt a few techniques over the years... maybe we can share some?

1. Never, ever, let logic get in the way of your argument. This is a western habit - thinking your argument has to be sound and logical for the other person to accept it. In Asia, not so. You can present and win the most illogical argument if you need to.

2. Be prepared to pay a little to win a lot. You don't need to win 100% to win in Asia. Give a bit to save face, and you can take the majority win.

3. Use physical intimidation. Puff out your chest, move into their space, raise your voice. Asians, generally, won't respond with violence to these tactics unlike some westerners.

4. Don't drag in family members, wives or highly emotional words unless you want to lose (the whole relationship in the real sense). Insulting someones mother will lose the argument. Some words - are highly offensive to some people - and they'd rather die than have you win after those words are said.

Others?

5. Black and white agreements are necessary. Sometimes, related with point 2, in certain countries, forgeries are acceptable with additional amounts

offshoreoildude wrote:I've learnt a few techniques over the years... maybe we can share some?

1. Never, ever, let logic get in the way of your argument.

Married? Should come as second nature to any male.

Its hard to get into an argument with Asians. They are just too polite, that even if they disagree, they wont tell it on your face, like westerners do. They just nod back at you with a smile and say "ya,ya"

Speaking about westerners, did you watch the video of the Barclays executive hurling vulgarities at the construction workers? Its only in Singapore, that he could do that. Any other country, they would have just buried him in the concrete, alive, lol.

Callput wrote:Its hard to get into an argument with Asians. They are just too polite, that even if they disagree, they wont tell it on your face, like westerners do. They just nod back at you with a smile and say "ya,ya"

And stab you sharp from the back.

That's their typical passive-aggressive for you.

I agree but I wouldn't attribute it to politeness.

Fear of confrontation, fear of loosing face by coming out wrong in the dispute, fear of having to admit they are wrong, are just some of the reasons.

6. The F-word carries strange weight here. You could be reasonably POed and in the right at, say, a taxi driver for not taking the route you requested, for not helping with the luggage, or any number of reasons and they may argue, but know they are wrong and may avoid accountability to that point with all kinds of out there excuses, most with that trademark grammatically incorrect sentence starting with "Because.... "

However, you use the f-word in any of it's many innocuous vernacular varieties, and you will get into a whole 'nuther level of argument.

7. Flipping the bird can get you in legal trouble. (I think it's referred to as a "Vulgar Gesture", another classic one like "Outrage of Modesty" - the latter I still say would make a great band name)

It's one reason why I don't drive here, too many legitimate opportunities to use it.

Callput wrote:Its hard to get into an argument with Asians. They are just too polite, that even if they disagree, they wont tell it on your face, like westerners do. They just nod back at you with a smile and say "ya,ya"

Brah wrote: "Outrage of Modesty" - the latter I still say would make a great band name)

Hahaha! Brilliant

Callput wrote:Speaking about westerners, did you watch the video of the Barclays executive hurling vulgarities at the construction workers? Its only in Singapore, that he could do that. Any other country, they would have just buried him in the concrete, alive, lol.

Should have buried him. im sure the gov't would have closed one eye.

Too high in the food chain for such banal charge?

the lynx wrote:

Callput wrote:Its hard to get into an argument with Asians. They are just too polite, that even if they disagree, they wont tell it on your face, like westerners do. They just nod back at you with a smile and say "ya,ya"

And stab you sharp from the back.

That's their typical passive-aggressive for you.

Sometimes, they can be pretty destructive (like, bring their own "pack")

Or if it's an all-girl band, "Modesty Outrage", a contemporary of Pussy Riot.

JR8 wrote:

Brah wrote: "Outrage of Modesty" - the latter I still say would make a great band name)

Hahaha! Brilliant

OK, since this thread is already derailed, how about some other very Singaporean offences that would make a good band names:

• Mischief
  
  Unlawful Assembly

Hmm. Methinks I'd better stop there.

Ok, this just became un-funny.

Two guys were either stupid enough to get what they deserve, or are being set up like others have.

If they did what they say they did, they should get whacked just out of stupidity, and again for the actual crime.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ ... 92/1/.html

If I were either of the two, I'd demand lie detector tests, if for no other reason that if they are theoretically telling the truth via the tests, it will put the onus on the women. It's been known here for the women to do jail time when found out.

Of course, if their are guilty, they better just hope for Prada or Gucci bags in payment settled out of court.

Brah wrote:Or if it's an all-girl band, "Modesty Outrage", a contemporary of Pussy Riot.

JR8 wrote:

Brah wrote: "Outrage of Modesty" - the latter I still say would make a great band name)

Hahaha! Brilliant

Thanks for the idea guys. When I get (enough) girls, I will use that name for some laughs.