11 posts tagged “uk”

I purchased a Miniature Sheet Album from Royal Mail and, whilst expecting it to contain 30 pages, found only 9. (ref. image below).

What do you think?

The last line of the encircled paragraphs states, 'The Album holds 30 Miniature(stamp) Sheets'.  What would you think if you were in my position.  Would you, for instance think that it only came with 10 pages and that you had to purchase an additional 20 pages for it to 'hold 30 Miniature(stamp) Sheets'?  Basically, for it to 'hold 30 Miniature Sheets', can it not be assumed that it holds 30 pages to hold the said 30 Miniature Sheets since nothing less than that can hold 30 Miniature Sheets?  Not according to Royal Mail.

Upon seeking clarification from Royal Mail, I was told,

“ The Mini sheet album comes with 10 pages so I am arranging for an additonal page to be sent.  Sorry your mini sheet album received only had 9 pages.

The Album can hold 30 mini sheets but does not come with this number of
sheets in the album.

Additional pages can be purchased PA699 costing £3.45 for a packet of 10
plus a handling charge of £1.45 to a UK address. ”

 
So I had to spend another £8.35 to get what I was led to believe I was getting with the initial purchase?  Hmmm.
In response, I wrote to Royal Mail and stated that they ought to have stated, 'The album contains 10 pages and holds up to 30 or more stamp sheets upon purchase of additional pages'.  All I got was,

“Thank you for taking the time to comment on the website and mini sheet album.  We always value customer feedback and this has been noted. ”

Well, I wrote to them and told them that I expected Royal Mail to honour their claim that the Album holds 30 sheets and send me the additional 20 pages as there was no factual basis upon which I might assume that the album did not contain 30 pages, and that i had to fork out more money for it do so.

In response, I got none, except 10 pages in the mail the next day - which brought my total page-count to 19 instead of the expected 30.

 

To Royal Mail (they have been sent a link to this page) :

As the information supplied on the relevant page was instrumental in instigating my purchase of the said Miniature Sheet Album, I don't believe a compromise is acceptable when misinformation can be argued for more easily than a misunderstanding.  It is incumbent upon Royal Mail to ensure that the information at their site is accurate and leaves no room for allegations of misinformation.

ed

 

 

To mark the change in British coins, the Royalmint is releasing a limited edition set of 'Standard', 'Deluxe' and 'Executive' Proof coins.  See below -

The 'Deluxe edition' is 50 quid and is limited to 15,000 pieces worldwide, and the latter 'Executive edition', 80 quid, and limited to 5,000 pieces worldwide.

As far as I've seen, unless I'm missing something, the 30quid difference is in the limited-ness of the BOX.  If so, it would be more true to say that it is the box that is limited to 5,000 pieces and not the coin-set.  But, of course, such info is hidden behind the phrase, 'limited edition', and not, 'limited BOX' - which would just serve to reveal some of the superficial and asinine vanity that sometimes fuels the collecting market - and support for the monarchy as well.  This time, with a royal stamp behind it.

To the RoyalMint, just one more question, are the boxes sold separately?

ed

This is one of my favourite ads in the UK.  Everytime it is aired, whatever I'm in the midst of, I'd stop and watch, with a smile.

 

I've always loved dancing.  It is an expression of passion.  I'm what you might call a 'freestylist' executing moves according to my mood.  I don't follow 'steps' like some automaton.  Dancing is an expression of the primitive passion of the God that sits in the inner temple of the soul.  A primitive expression that calls on the genetic inheritance of the primitive passion of all of one's ancestors.  To anyone who wants to learn to dance, I always say, 'don't learn how to dance, learn how to feel, and you'll know how to dance'.  And then, when you dance, you'll be unique as it will be a result of the unique feeling and passionate being that you uniquely are. 

Not so in the case of most singaporeans who mechanically execute steps and think it qualifies them as 'dancers'. Pooh, pooh with icing on top.  I sometimes see so-called 'breakdancers' in the basement of a particular shopping mall (suntec city's 'citylink') and can't help shaking my head in disgust.  You see them executing steps, but there is no passion on their faces or in any movement.  That's a far cry from the 80s when we used to 'break' with vigour and passion (doing it in public was prohibited back then...the authorities frown on any impromptu public display/practice/promotion of passion...I think it might be because generic passion can possibly translate into a healthy sense of one's possible identities and which can, in turn, possibly increase one's propensity to exhibit it in other arenas - like politics for instance;) ).  And when I see 'dancers' on the telly competing with each other, I shake my head again with disappointment.  Why am I disappointed?  Because, just as I exude passion – as anyone who knows me would attest to – I feed off it as well.  Thus, the singapore of the 90s to the present has done much to compromise the further growth of passion within myself via its culture of tradition, imitation as opposed to invention, uniformity, and intellectual, spiritual and aesthetic conformity.  No wonder they are such ho-hum 'expressionists' - be it in dance, art, thought, etc.

It's simple actually.  Without Passion in Life, as exhibited, say, in passionate discussions/thoughts/beliefs/etc on potentially incendiary or taboo topics such as politics, sex, social life; imagining out-of-the-box when it comes to what construes a 'better life'; and keeping alive one’s generic curiosity in the face of the novel, one cannot expect to perform significantly in, say, the dance floor, in bed or on the podium.  Even food plays a part in bringing out great passion - one of the reasons why I go for spicy Indian food as opposed to other relatively sedate food.  Through these different types of passion-inciting activities, one’s generic reservoir of Passion is fed, and serves as ‘viagra’ in opening up the tributaries that consequently release the floodgates that irrigate the fields of expression in other arenas. 

You see, Rhythm might enable you to keep in step, but it is Passion that gives it Life.

ed

A design I created some time ago when the contest to find an alternative to the fragmented logo created by some design company was held. The year 2012 is depicted as 20:12 to relate it to 'tube'(trains in the london 'underground') times.

Not too long ago, I brought a couple Filipinas (female form of 'Filipino'...from the Philippines) for a job interview.  After spending much time filling in the application form and awaiting their turn, they finally went in for what might amount to the shortest interview listed in the guinness book of world records.  When I asked them what happened, they said they were simply asked, 'Do you speak Mandarin?', which they did not.

Well, this is my take on 'speaking Mandarin'. 

As far as the official first language studied in schools is English and the first language is English, that ought to be the only requirement for all jobs. If it is to be the requirement for some jobs, than all races ought to be allowed equal access to it.  That comprises, in part, the notion of Equality of Opportunity mate.  Anything short of this risks forwarding the status quo as 'instituational racism' (sociological term). 

As for those who are not versed in English, they ought to avail themselves of a good mandarin-to-english dictionary or be accompanied by a translator.  Why?  To cater to linguistic deficiencies amongst the populace is to render entire races whom are not allowed to study 'other' languages deficient.  This can only relegate them to the socio-economic second class and eventually raise the linguistically 'endowed'(mandarin speakers) as the preferred group.

Perhaps, much of this 'do you speak Mandarin' nonsense is to cater to, or is being further reinforced by, the need to cater to the increasing influx of China citizens into the country whom are not conversant enough in English to even ask for directions to the beach.  I personally encounter many of them who work at local coffeeshops - though I am quite popular amongst them.  Additionally, the past creation of a Chinese elite via SAP schools (Special Assistance Plan..went on for a few decades); the promotion of the 'mother-tongue' policy whereby one's ethnic heritage determines what language one is allowed to study in school; the grossly bigoted 'mandarin is cool' and 'speak mandarin, it's an advantage' campaigns (going on for more than a decade), amongst others, basically tends to equate biological race with a 'preferred' language and raise one race above another in terms of preferred-status, and with inevitable knock-on effects on, amongst others, the socio-economic experience of non-chinese and chinese alike. 
(note: The elevation of one culture above others in a multicultural nation basically leads to self-segregation amongst the 'preferred group' and marginalisation of 'others' as the 'cultural comfort zone' is gradually contracted to include what one is familiar with and what one has been taught to view as preferred.  Once this impacts on the economic front, the consequences become real and observable over time as underdevelopment of 'others' and the 'majority' result due to the contraction of opportunities and the cultural experience.  In other words, everyone becomes less.)

Like in the UK, proficiency in English ought to be one of the main qualifiers for acquiring a work permit or PR status as the influx of non-English speakers will eventually lead to the creation of ethnic enclaves and impact on the evolution of criterion for jobs to cater to their comfort zones and linguistic deficiencies.  As for the 'mother-tongue' policy, this ought to be thrown out the window unless it can be shown that the Chinese in China aren't willing to do business with mandarin speakers unless they are also Chinese.  There is no reason whatsoever why Indians and Malays can't study mandarin in schools and 'do business in China'.

For the purpose of cultural integration - NOT assimilation or marginalisation - English ought to be the only 'cool' and 'advantageous' language in a multicultural nation.  Personally, I do speak Mandarin, but when asked if I did so by past potential employers, I would not be disinclined to ask why that ought to matter.  And if told that some customers might not be able to speak English, I would suggest that they get a translator to accompany them or learn to speak English.  Why should I be marginalised to accomodate the linguistic deficiency of another?  Does it not further reinforce their deficiency?  And if done so long enough, elevate their deficiency as a proficiency and all other races as deficient?  That is a question any Singaporean who does not pay more than lip service to racial equality ought to ask themselves.  *I believe in a singular race of citizens based on nationality and not race - a perspective many singaporeans would be well advised to incorporate into their perspectival arsenal for their own developmental good.

As for the 2 Filipinas who were turned away, they brushed their experience aside with a, 'never mind, it's a Chinese country...so of course they will ask that'.  And I've personally encountered a few Chinese from China who refused to believe that I'm a singaporean because of my rich colour and sharp features.  Now what i find interesting is what Singaporeans might have done to promote such a notion amongst these foreigners that makes foreigners out of locals.

ed

*I believe in a singular race based on nationality as a preparatory prelude towards developing a singular race based on a nation of humanity that incorporates the entire globe.

 

...said a bloke and his girlfriend (not the couple next to me in the pic) from Brazil(the girl's name is Pruna...forgot the bloke's name though...ahem) whilst I was sitting and sipping a mocha at the cafe in the background.(the roofed building on the right.)  They are here on a working visa or something and he was hoping to become a pro photographer. We chatted for a while - in the course of which I introduced him to vox to host his photographs.  Anyway, I never say, 'Thank you', when anyone exclaims, "hey, nice camera/lens", since just about anyone with the money or inclination would be able to acquire one.  The credit goes to Nikon.  So my usual response is, "yeah, Nikon is quite good with cameras/lenses".  Anyway, I got more than a few looks whilst there.  The eastern europeans were especially blatant in their looks. And more than a few could be seen constantly looking at me and chattering away about the bald monstrosity seated a fag-flick away.  Then there was this one bloke of w.european origins, with a few bulky lenses, and who looked as if he was a 'pro', who came up to me and asked if he could take a few shots of me.  Perhaps I should set up a booth with a sign 'unofficial tourist attraction'.  Well, being an unashamed exhibitionistic slut, I agreed, and he proceeded to adopt a few 'pro poses' as he began to fire away at me through the gaping eye of his camera whilst I couldn't help wondering which seedy magazine I might be featured in.  Hmm...so that's how models feel.  Hard work huh.  Yeah right!  Anyway, that frequently happens in singapore too, especially with tourists from China.  I think I ought to be funded by the STPB (singapore tourist promotion board) to keep me bald, shiny and new.
 

What I find refreshing is the absence of laughter from observers (except some eastern europeans) - which is a frequent occurrence in singapore (people whom are unaccustomed to difference, or the mindless fad-imbibing variety who only value individuality when it is fronted by pop-stars/actors/'whites, tend to do that).  As for the reaction of the general observable and observing British public, I only get interested looks - and the girls tend to react very 'positively' too;).  No, as I said earlier, I don't get any ego-boosts from it.  The difference in reactions between singapore and the UK is most interesting though.  What I always found most interesting is that being moi-self in singapore and the UK elicits diametrically opposite reactions and consequences.  Here in the UK, I'm generally perceived by my acquaintances and people-i-just-met as 'confident', 'interesting', 'intelligent', whereas in 'good' ole singapore, i'm perceived as 'arrogant', 'boring' and 'talk/think too much'.  I get good reception in terms of customer service at pubs, restaurants, members of the general public, etc, etc, whilst it is the inverse in singapore.  In singapore, i'm generally ignored or laughed at, whilst here, i'm looked/smiled at and served most politely.  Most interesting...sociologically speaking. 

All in all, as it was back in the 90s when I was studying here, I'd say that civility, difference, personality, and intelligence are quite valued social commodities.  I always get a sense that the people here in the UK are quite 'retro' (70s, 80s) in their perspectives.  Listening to 80s music here doesn't seem to be an out-of-place thing to do here - as it is in singapore. Hey! They still play 80s stuff in some pubs here!  The perspectival climate and the music, methinks, are quite congruent bedfellows.  Many i've encountered or observed on the telly, ads, etc, still exhibit vibrancy, curiosity in the face of novelty, openness to ideas, and the critical spirit reminiscent of 'retro'-years - where much of the world is fast becoming little more than hologrammatic projections of american-powered billboards.  I won't say that there aren't disconcerting and increasing instances of americanisation here.  But, thankfully, it is not at quick a pace as it is back 'home' and other countries I have hung out in.

ed

   

Well, it's been a decade since I've been in the UK, And thankfully, just as it was the first time, it was like coming home...(breathes a sigh of extreme relief).

Can you believe it?  The first time I came here for uni(1994-1999), I was surprised that I experienced no 'culture shock'.  It was like stepping into a pair of well-worn suede shoes that I had not slipped into since a previous life.  I got on very well with the 'Brits' in my halls of residence, and had, surprisingly, their deferential respect even!  I'd often wondered how I'd feel when or if I finally got back to the UK in the course of the past 10 years in singapore, and, thankfully, it is not unlike the first time.  Do I miss 'home' (singapore)?  Hell no!  For the first time in a decade, I can wake up, or walk the streets, or switch on the telly, or interact with people, or go to bed in the night, without feeling pissed off. 

UK vs SG

In the UK, as V too observed, you get all variations of people playing prominent roles in the media, ads, etc - chinese, indians, 'whites', 'blacks', thin, fat, young, old, etc, etc.  You get a real sense of cosmopolitanism here instead of the lip service type. And when you switch on the telly, or walk the streets, you are constantly reminded to 'get involved' in social problems all over the world or in the UK via posters, speeches, demonstrations, ads, etc. It really helps in nurturing one's faith in humanity.  The internet connection here, as it was when I was living in HK, is obviously quicker even though the stipulated speed is the same as my connection in Singapore. You get more than a couple of dozen channels on the telly with all types of programmes that nurtures all types of inclinations.  And can you believe it, I can cross the road and expect cars to slow down instead of accelerating.  And 'Meritocracy' here in the UK largely means being able to do the job and not being of a particular 'race', 'age', or 'mandarin speaker'.  You get free medical at most times, and schooling till secondary level is compulsory and therefore free.  And when you speak to people or ask them questions, you know, unlike SG, they are not ignoring the novel in your statements and queries and simply regurgitating that which they are used to saying or taught to say.  People are civil to you no matter how you look, and I must say that I get more than a few admiring and interested looks from 'white' girls in a day than I might elicit in a year in singapore.  (Nope, it doesn't do my ego any good, but it does remind me that difference, personality, individuality and intelligence is a quite the valued socio-economic commodity here.)  And what I especially love about the UK is that people fight against discrimination of all sorts even though they or their 'race', 'age', 'etc', are not personally afflicted(i use the word 'race' in a broad sense meaning those who are perceived to be part of another group physically).  In other words, discrimination is recognised in all forms even if it doesn't happen to the majority.  The 'majority' in this country is not appreciated, generally, in 'racial' terms but in terms of citizenship.  A high level of empathy eh Watson!  I cannot help but feel that my future is safe in such empathetic hands.

 

Well, I could go on and on.  But the point here is not simply that UK is ‘better’ or more conducive than SG for developing the mind or the more developed mind, but that it strives to be that.  That, I dare say, is something worth emulating.  Mind you, I do not expect perfection, but do, by George's silk underpants, expect a society to strive towards it.  I have a visa to stay in the UK for 5 years (and hopefully apply for a ‘PR’ thereafter) but I have to get back to SG shortly to complete a particular project that might last a couple of years - but I will be back here every now and then for a couple of months.  But this return to what has strangely always felt like my home has significantly done my faith in humanity much good.  Incidentally, the first and best conversation I've had in a decade was with the cab driver who took me from the airport to my house (in the UK…Essex, Harlow).  Let’s see, we spoke about cosmopolitanism, politics, the labour party, juvenile delinquency, the weather, discrimination, pop culture, the significance of hip hop, music, etc, etc, during the 1 hour ride.  (I've learnt not to expect a tenth as much from the ‘grads’ I know back in SG) Now a people amongst whom ‘an opinion’ is not confined to food, shopping and pop, is a people who bode well for the progressive development of humanity and the human within us don’t you think?  The weather is truly crap here though, but the cultural and perspectival climate is most warming.

Just wish i'd brought my tripod and other lenses.  My digital camera is not functioning at present unfortunately. But, never mind, I'll be back!
(Pictures courtesy of V via her Ricoh GX100. Camera used by self in the pic - Nikon F6, 70-200mm VR.  My Fuji Reala 100 is about 3x the price here!)

Ed'sperience 2008 -

“Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, has died aged 88.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark described the explorer as a heroic figure and said all New Zealanders would deeply mourn his passing.

Sir Edmund's health had reportedly been in decline since April, when he suffered a fall while visiting Nepal.

He was the first man to climb the 8,850m (29,035ft) peak with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953.”

 

I often wondered why ‘Sir’(‘sir’ to the brits, ‘eddy boy’ to me) Edmund Hillary was and is deemed to be the ‘first man’ to climb the world’s highest mountain when he did it with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.

 

The answer came years later when I did my dissertation, self-entitled, ‘Racism in the Colonial Context’, where I researched and argued-via-evidence that there was a correlation between the granting of independence to various states in s.e.Asia( study included Thailand, Australia, NZ, and Tasmania, Indonesia, India, China, Japan, Philippines, Burma, Malaysia, Singapore), or the way the people were treated, and the degree to which they were different from the loot-hungry colonialists.  My professor (Tunde Zack-Williams...just 'google it') was quite impressed and stopped me in the corridor as I was sauntering by with my 70s get-up with my long, long hair, and said that he had never come across such a study before, and especially since it was not part of the curriculum.  (This was quite the motivator as this country had for quite a while been attempting to impress upon me that i was stupid via a host of means)  Hence, after my completion of the said dissertation, he suggested and was willing to recommend me to the School of Oriental and African studies in London so that I might research it at a ‘phd’ level.  Unfortunately, as the capitalist system tends to make way for those who have the money as opposed to those who have the brains, I couldn’t pursue it.

But I digress.  In the course of this study, where I also looked into the ‘evolution of the western mind’ in terms of religion, science, philosophy, racism, etc, etc, (lots of ‘reading between the lines to do) I discovered that the western colonialists had a sort of scale against which they judged the ‘humanhood’ of ‘others’.  They took measurements of the heads of various peoples, and came up with all sorts of theories to prove that they had a right to do unto others that which they would not want done unto themselves.  After all, it is not racism to devour an animal is it?  Hence, they felt morally justified in enslaving millions upon millions of Africans; facilitating the deaths of millions upon millions of Indians in a single year alone by their demanding the production of crops that translated into wealth to the colonialists(and people keep going on and on about the 'Titanic'...pah!); using aborigines in the Australasian region for target practice (literally) and kidnapping their children to teach them to be 'white' up to the 1970s; and looting most of the world of their wealth and treasures. 

That is why I am of the studied opinion that half of the western world belongs to the non-western world….so immigration restrictions, citizenship tests, etc, are ludicrous nonsense.  The master doesn’t need to be tested before being admitted to what is half her house does she.  We can say that most of the world upon which the ‘sun’ of the ‘empah’ never set are in effect shareholders in the western world and thus ought to be treated with deference and respect.  The descendants of the colonised ought to stop demanding that the west apologise for their genocidal atrocities in the colonial era and start seeking a share in what are in fact YOUR countries - at least in part.  My finger-wagging, ‘Oi!’, goes out the France, the UK, the US, Spain, Portugal, Germany, amongst others.  Perhaps the UK ought to become one of the federated states of India with the Queen being its (the UK) figurehead.  She can be the ‘jewel in the crown’ of India for a change eh. ;)

Anyway, it took sometime before the rest of the world began to successfully start aping their white lords as they caught on that if they became like their white sahibs, they might become sahibs themselves.  Well, to cut a 30,000 word dissertation short (I had unwittingly reached 45,000 words and had to do a significant amount of editing to bring it down to 30.  If I put in all that I had researched along with my arguments, it would have easily reached close to a 100, 000 word book…entire research and writing was done within a month….extremely stressful….*shiver*), upon their being trained to be capitalist, secularist; were amenable to western costumes; start ‘democratic’ parties; learn to be good little non-white white girls and boys; and showing that they had better comprehensional skills than the primate ancestors who had resisted the colonialists - although they were still required to mindlessly monkey their white lords ;) - they were granted 'independence'.  Resistence against the colonialists was generally futile unless they resisted for the right reasons.  That is, resistance against the colonialists for the purpose of being like them.  That was a sign that they had 'come of age'.  Hence, these states from thereon became separate departments of the selfsame mindset.  Monkey boy - except for the Mahatma Gandhi (Indians, traditionally, don't confuse shit for appetisers...thus they are the bane of many a tyrannical government and oftentimes shunned as 'troublemakers' by those who do) - had learned to wear trousers!   By George, Hurrah!

So, now when I read BBC’s statement of the demise of a child of the colonialists (‘bandits’ in my book), and their stating that he was the first ‘Man’ to climb the mountain, I smile, as I recognise in this their inheritance of the colonial mind(less)set in reinforcing the view that 2 interpretations are required when dealing with a ‘white’ Man and an ‘other’.  And if you didn’t notice that, it is evidence of your subconscious acceptance of your second class status as a ‘human’ being.  I’m talking to you monkey boy/girl.

ed'sperience

[ The writer of this article recognises himself as a Cosmopolitan by 'race', and, by discerning choice, an Indian and British in perspective - that amounts to being a 'Metaphysical/Radical Rationalist' ;).  No antagonism against the 'whites' is supported or promoted.  Their economies, not them, are to be held to account for the atrocities of those who populated their lands before them.  OM. ]

(above images from bbc and realdoll.com respectively)

Perhaps Robert didn't have any ‘luck’ at the local pub that night, or his hand/s were otherwise incapacitated. 

 

Whilst I found the above account quite amusing, and prefer to ride my bike the conventional way, I really failed to appreciate how it was the business of anyone what implement this gentleman utilised to substitute conventional ones in the privacy of his bedroom.  Personally, I would be most interested to know what perspective Robert possessed that enabled him to do what he did as such a unique view, when cross-applied, could be used to appreciate other phenomena from additional angles.  All 'perversions' are specific instances of a generic and rarely appreciated perspective. 

 

As for the ruling, one could argue that it was bigotry that caused the judge to find the bloke guilty of ‘breach of the peace by conducting himself in a disorderly manner and simulating sex’ as the implement of choice - which I dare say emerged from the experience untraumatised and none the worse for wear -  did not at least look like a woman. Perhaps the judge would think it quite appropriate if one was to ‘simulate sex’ with, say, a balloon designed to ‘simulate’ a woman, or a sheep, in appearance – as might be found in sex shops throughout the UK.  And, pray tell, how ‘orderly’ can we expect a to-and-fro hip-thrusting action to be? 

 

Perhaps the judge prefers to be at the bottom, eh Watson.

 

 

ed’sperience

 

singapore malaysia hong kong thailand india taiwan japan asia uk australia philosophy sex bicycles bicycling cycling news bbc

Where is the farthest you have ever been away from home? Did you get homesick? 
Submitted by Melissa.

That was strange indeed.  I went to the UK, and instead of feeling 'homesick' for Singapore or experiencing 'culture shock', I felt most at home...for the first time in my life. 

 

Unlike here in what is touted as ‘uniquely Singapore’,

in the UK, my ‘arrogance’ was perceived as ‘confident’; my ‘dark & ugly’ colour was perceived as ‘beautiful and rich’; my ‘twisting words’ and ‘being a snake’ was perceived as ‘witty’ and ‘intelligent’; my ‘funny’, ‘weird’, and therefore ‘laughable’, individualistic dress sense was perceived as indicative of character and personality; the language and names of ‘my’ ancestors was not ‘funny’ and thus used as derogatory terms, but ‘exotic’ (people in the UK tended to ask me what such words meant as opposed to here where their being different from the promoted ‘norm’(mandarin) was itself taken as indicative of its hilarity); my confidence and intelligence was perceived not as a ‘threat’, or indicative of my being a ‘troublemaker’ and ‘not being able to control’ by employers and people around me, but as an ‘asset’; my ability to systematically and logically discuss matters was not perceived as ‘talking cock(rubbish)’ but indicative of my being interesting company; my interest in politics, art, philosophy, society, culture, etc, other than shopping and eating was not perceived as being ‘boring’ but being a ‘well-rounded person’; my looking for the underlying meaning of phenomena and not appreciating things at a superficial ‘face-value’ was not taken as being ‘long-winded’ but ‘insightful’….etc….etc…..etc.

 

Thus, I found myself most popular amongst my halls-of-residence’ mates who came from different walks of life and who tended to seek me out for outings and conversations that oftentimes lasted throughout the night.  I had more girls ‘checking me out’ or attempting to get to know me in a single year than I experienced here in ‘uniquely Singapore’ in a lifetime (i.e. ‘white’, ‘black’, northern Indian girls).

I remember telling a few friends about my experience in the UK after my return,

"Ha!  Strange isn't it, the Chinese here look up to the 'whites', whilst the 'whites' tend to appreciate us(Indians) as equals or find us interesting to keep company with.  To be honest, my 'white' mates called me the 'father of the halls' and tended to consider what I had to say seriously.  Even when they would come in at 2 in the morning stone drunk and start kicking up a ruckus in the kitchen next to my room, all I would have to do is to bang on the wall a couple of times and I would hear them going, "Shhhh", to each other.  And they would apologise to me the next day as well.  And they were all bigger than me as well.  One of them was a star rugby player in my uni.  I often wondered why they bothered to defer to me at times.  It was some time later that i realised that they tended to treat with respect those they thought intelligent.  I remember one bloke who was a bit simple, and he was given hell by them throughout the year.  I think, perhaps, they love difference and intelligence.  Explains why they're so smart.  Love the wrong things,  or fail to love the right things because of some trained bias, and you'll attain only a shadow of your potential.  You can't get smart by simply copying people whom you have been trained to look up to, but in appreciating difference in itself, you'll get smarter than you thought possible.  Explains British intelligence I suppose.  I suppose that is the greatest lesson the UK(and India) taught me by example." 

 

These sharp differences in cultural experiences impressed upon me that living with the British and with Singaporean Chinese was akin to living on two different planetary systems altogether.  They, respectively, tended to judge different traits against wholly different standards that turned black into white and white into black.  This, I suppose, indicates the presence and absence of starkly different traits on the part of both.  Quite an education I must say.  Yes, I do agree that Singapore is unique and is a meritocratic society.  However, the question I was left with was, "uniquely what?", and, "what unstated but much experienced ‘merits’ comprised the Singaporean meritocratic hierarchy given my contrasting ed’sperience of the UK and Singapore, and its contrasting experience and interpretation of me". 

 

Perhaps, in the attempt to answer these questions, and following it with assiduous attempts to resolve it, Singapore might one day be 'unique', in the positive sense of the word that is.

 

ed’sperience

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