Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Had to be out for a little while today...
When I reached the bus stop, I decided to check out the bus routes to make sure I was at the right stop. There were two people standing right in front of the display, a man and lady about my age (or slightly older). Another lady was already trying to look at the routes, but because the couple was standing right there, totally oblivious (or plain rude), the lady had to stretch her neck to peek over their shoulders.
After that lady left, I stepped forward and said politely to the couple in English, "Excuse me. I'm sorry, but I would like to take a look at the bus routes."
The couple stepped aside for me, and as I moved to look at the display, I heard the man remark to his lady companion in urban China-Chinese (aka still understandable, without the thick accent), "She cannot speak Chinese, is it?" in a 'I-am-disgusted-at-this-Chinese-without-roots' tone; you know how some China-Chinese view us Singaporean Chinese.
I was surprised. Firstly, if you'll look at the couple, you'll think they were just extremely fair Singaporean Chinese; they didn't look Chinese-Chinese, if you know what I mean - without trying to sound the slightest bit racist.
But it didn't really matter where they were from. What really surprised me was how they expected me to speak in Chinese... that was really what got to me.
So I turned to them, smiled sweetly, and said in English, "I apologise if I have confused you. I am an ethnic Chinese and I do speak Mandarin, but this is NOT China.
"This IS Singapore."
Then I turned back to the board.
They were still looking shocked when I walked away from the board.
Ahh... so sweet, such a wonderful feeling... to stick one up them.
When I reached the bus stop, I decided to check out the bus routes to make sure I was at the right stop. There were two people standing right in front of the display, a man and lady about my age (or slightly older). Another lady was already trying to look at the routes, but because the couple was standing right there, totally oblivious (or plain rude), the lady had to stretch her neck to peek over their shoulders.
After that lady left, I stepped forward and said politely to the couple in English, "Excuse me. I'm sorry, but I would like to take a look at the bus routes."
The couple stepped aside for me, and as I moved to look at the display, I heard the man remark to his lady companion in urban China-Chinese (aka still understandable, without the thick accent), "She cannot speak Chinese, is it?" in a 'I-am-disgusted-at-this-Chinese-without-roots' tone; you know how some China-Chinese view us Singaporean Chinese.
I was surprised. Firstly, if you'll look at the couple, you'll think they were just extremely fair Singaporean Chinese; they didn't look Chinese-Chinese, if you know what I mean - without trying to sound the slightest bit racist.
But it didn't really matter where they were from. What really surprised me was how they expected me to speak in Chinese... that was really what got to me.
So I turned to them, smiled sweetly, and said in English, "I apologise if I have confused you. I am an ethnic Chinese and I do speak Mandarin, but this is NOT China.
"This IS Singapore."
Then I turned back to the board.
They were still looking shocked when I walked away from the board.
Ahh... so sweet, such a wonderful feeling... to stick one up them.
Friday, January 02, 2009
It's the new year...
... and I'm not quite sure how to approach it.
New year, new beginnings... my pastor said that this will be the acceptable year of the Lord, and I gave a resounding 'Amen!' to that.. because, well, we all want happiness and good things in life, don't we?
My last 2 weeks of 2008 were extremely busy ones, what with all the festive celebrations. I counted down to the new year watching television... which kinda makes you wonder what the whole fuss over the new year is about.
It is really more symbolic than anything else, isn't it? For people who have had a shitty year to convince themselves that they now have a clean slate to work with, to hopefully have something better. Whatever the worst cynic on earth may say, we all hope for better things to come.
For myself, 2008 was.. interesting. So much happened, some good, some bad... and I'll like to think that I ended 2008, while not necessarily a better person, but at least wiser.
Like most people, I hope for lots of things this 2009.... and I'm reminded that this new year, I'll be a year older (like, duh!), with less time to fulfill some of my life's dreams. I can't help wondering if people have dreams just because, well, they just want to keep day-dreaming... what do you think?
One thing's for sure.. I'll be more organized this year, lol. He's back and He gave me three Christmas presents: Belle de Jour's second novel (I had been following her blog, and the TV series), the Beedle the Bard book and a Filofax organizer complete with a cute pen (He saw in my blog!)
Happy camper... :) now I'm just waiting for Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food; that's the other thing I really wanted on my Christmas list. I'll accept belated Christmas presents!
Anyway... I'm done with my rambling... to all of you out there, I wish you a fulfilling 2009 :)
New year, new beginnings... my pastor said that this will be the acceptable year of the Lord, and I gave a resounding 'Amen!' to that.. because, well, we all want happiness and good things in life, don't we?
My last 2 weeks of 2008 were extremely busy ones, what with all the festive celebrations. I counted down to the new year watching television... which kinda makes you wonder what the whole fuss over the new year is about.
It is really more symbolic than anything else, isn't it? For people who have had a shitty year to convince themselves that they now have a clean slate to work with, to hopefully have something better. Whatever the worst cynic on earth may say, we all hope for better things to come.
For myself, 2008 was.. interesting. So much happened, some good, some bad... and I'll like to think that I ended 2008, while not necessarily a better person, but at least wiser.
Like most people, I hope for lots of things this 2009.... and I'm reminded that this new year, I'll be a year older (like, duh!), with less time to fulfill some of my life's dreams. I can't help wondering if people have dreams just because, well, they just want to keep day-dreaming... what do you think?
One thing's for sure.. I'll be more organized this year, lol. He's back and He gave me three Christmas presents: Belle de Jour's second novel (I had been following her blog, and the TV series), the Beedle the Bard book and a Filofax organizer complete with a cute pen (He saw in my blog!)
Happy camper... :) now I'm just waiting for Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food; that's the other thing I really wanted on my Christmas list. I'll accept belated Christmas presents!
Anyway... I'm done with my rambling... to all of you out there, I wish you a fulfilling 2009 :)
