What Makes a Singaporean, a Singaporean?
Our culture might be strange to foreigners but that听is what makes us unique –听it is easy for a Singaporean to spot a fellow Singaporean overseas when they display听some of following traits.
It might seem odd that whenever a young person calls anyone older than them either an 鈥渁unty鈥 or 鈥渦ncle鈥. 听This does not mean that everyone is related to each other. Referring to someone you do not know as 鈥渁unty鈥 or 鈥渦ncle鈥 is merely a simple way to address them without knowing their name.
It also eliminates any awkwardness as one would not have to worry what to call the elders. 听In some ways, this displays听courtesy and respect.
Unlike in the United States or any other countries that are used to tipping, it is not required here. Bills already include the Service Charge and Goods and Services Tax. Moreover, waiters and waitresses are paid by the hour hence there is no need to tip them.
Certain places do accept tips by having small tipping jars by the cash register.听Apart from that, tipping is just not a customary standard in Singapore.
It is a well-known fact that Singaporeans are one of the fastest walkers in the world.听 The experiment was conducted by British Council analysts who covertly timed thousands of pedestrians鈥 walking speedily in city centres globally.
Personally, I would tend to speed walk whenever I鈥檓 heading to a specific place, irrespective of whether I鈥檓 rushing or not. 听And from what I have seen, Singaporeans also rush for seats in the MRT as soon as the door opens.
Last but not least, what better way to spot a Singaporean; if not for the use of 鈥淪inglish鈥. Along with a 鈥rojak” sentence听which is a sentence that consists of three or four or even five languages.
鈥淪inglish鈥 or the Singaporean-English slang include words such as 鈥渓or鈥, 鈥渓eh鈥, 鈥渓ah鈥, 鈥渆h鈥, 鈥渁h鈥, 鈥渉or鈥, 鈥渙ne鈥, 鈥渃an鈥 and 鈥渕eh鈥 to emphasise emotions or to simply complete听a sentence.
For example; when someone says 鈥淲hy you liddat one?鈥 which translates to 鈥淲hy are you like that?鈥 or 鈥淲alao eh”. “Go makan never invite one. Bo jio!鈥 which just shows the annoyance of someone of not being invited to a meal.
These are just a few examples that describe a true blue Singaporean. 听There are so much more to add to the list which shows the significant evolution our country has attained in terms of its uniqueness and that it will continue to evolve over time.
This article is contributed by听Namirah Sumardi from the School of Media & Communications