What's the point? What’s with the superiority complex, neighbour?
11 Mar 2007
Gavin Yap

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A FEW nights ago, I was introduced to this rather attractive girl from Singapore and we got to talking. I wasn’t really in the mood for a conversation but couldn’t really come up with a decent-enough reason to excuse myself so I went along with it.

When I mentioned what I do for a living, she immediately launched into this thing about how I should consider checking the Singaporean scene out, how there are many more opportunities there, better this, better that, more professional, more talent, blah, blah, blah.

As I watched and listened to her go on, I started to wonder whether or not she knew I was Malaysian. Sure enough, a couple of minutes later, she asked me, "So, where are you from?"

I told her I was local and her face turned a ghost-like white. I could tell she was asking herself, just what size crowbar would be able to pry out the big fat shoe she had just lodged into her mouth.
I told her I hoped she enjoyed the rest of her stay in my inferior country and returned to my beer.

It got me thinking. What is it about Singaporeans and Malaysians? When I meet Singaporeans in Singapore, they never come across as annoying as they do when I meet them here.

I mean, they’re still annoying but something happens to them once they cross the bridge, I don’t know. It’s like they get possessed by demons hell-bent on making as few friends as possible.

They get out of their car, look for the nearest local and hit them with the verbal equivalent of a baseball bat — Singapore this, Singapore that, cleaner, more efficient, everything works, everyone’s pretty, everyone’s rich, no crime, no pollution, no war, no sex, no fun, no problem!

Yet, the moment they get here, every single one of them starts enjoying the simple freedoms that are not afforded to them back in their sterilised utopia. What freedoms, you ask? Well, let’s count them, shall we?

Littering, smoking, chewing, sucking, drinking, laughing, smiling, flicking, eating hawker food that actually tastes good, and meeting people who have the guts to venture outside without an Armani T-shirt. You see where I’m going with this?

So, what gives, neighbours? What’s the deal with the superiority complex?
We know you’ve done well for yourselves. We know your shopping malls rock. We know your cinemas show uncensored movies. We know you think "Dir-Ty" is a city in China.

We know you’re very pleased with your public transportation. We know you’re very proud of your Esplanade. Why you chose to model it after a Malaysian fruit is a bit of a mystery but, nevertheless, we know it’s something you’re very happy with.

We know you like to stay ahead of the pack. And, yes, on behalf of all Malaysians, I would like to apologise to all of you for keeping you out of the loop when the floods hit. It was selfish and inconsiderate of us and God above, to not have included you in such a monumental event.
Believe me when I say that many of us here wish we could have shared that with you.

Malaysians aren’t much better either. We’re always looking for the next best opportunity to slag off our unfortunate neighbour. I mean, let’s face it guys, we’re never gonna let them forget that they drink our urine, no matter how old that "joke" gets.

And why? Because we can! Yay! Sometimes I wonder if the reason we share this unexplained hostility towards each other is because we’re actually quite similar.

Most Malaysians I know tend to be pretty low-key when it comes to singing their country praises until that is, they meet foreigners or venture to foreign countries.

Then, all of a sudden, it’s Malaysia this, Malaysia that, best food, best imitations, best pirated DVDs, fake bags, fake shirts, fake wallets, fake shoes, fake people... no, wait, that’s the other place.

I think one of the reasons Malaysians and Singaporeans stay at each other’s throats is that it’s very much like a rival secondary school relationship.

Singapore is the school that always had the better SPM results and so we hate them for it. Malaysia is the school where everybody always partied and had fun and so they hate us for it.

Malaysia is the big party and Singapore is the tight-fisted landlord below us, who keeps hitting her broomstick against her ceiling screaming at us to shut up and get a job.

So I guess I just need to accept the fact that we’re always gonna have this problem.

And the truth is, I’m not so sure it’s a bad thing. I mean, if it wasn’t for all the animosity and name-calling, I’m not sure we’d be left with much else to say to each other.

But, at the end of the day, I’d like to believe that it’s all carried out in jest, that deep down, we truly like and respect each other.
After all, I’d be lying if I said that I’ve never enjoyed Singapore.

Never mind the fact that I’m sure it had more to do with the company I was keeping than the place. Never mind that when I think of Singapore, I think of — wait, now that I think about it — I don’t really think of Singapore that much. They’re the ones with the big Merlion statue, right?

For a moment i thought you were the one who wrote this and I said ....wow.....and about the beer...fadlee drinks...oh man!!

Anyway it was well documented and well written. I have no objection to this ...its true and its facts

ohh really.. i read the article half way.. and i thought of the same thing..

Some Singaporeans are really full of themselves and think they know anything,like this stupid unfound comment on the sgforums Military Nuts,bueeek..they make me barf.

'Magazines like ADJ and Tempur(being Malaysian in origin)are less believable than more established ones.

However, just a cusory look at the report will tell you that they are going to have a lot of maintainence issues..once again. Issues like maintainence, no proper planned future upgrades, good comms links, etc will haunt them in the time to come. Seems like a vicious cycle similar to most other stuffs they buy. Anyway, that`s why they`re cheaper to buy.

But at least they will have more than just 8 (hornets) combat-ready aircrafts in thier air-force. However, I doubt the Sukhois will be combat ready(i.e fully integrated into the air-force)anytime soon either'\\

Why dun this guy make the first Singapore published mag,ingat bagus sgt ke.

who you referring to bro? and why are you so emotional

Singapore..... "gerek" lah beb!

This one ricochet not gonna like

My group was queing at the bus stop at the Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania for the 10 minute interval bus at Dove Lake paring area...after 3 hours hiking Mt.Cradle..then there were 3 Asians wh cut our line.One of my friend,an Indian Malaysian Medic student reprimanded them but they do dunno with us..and shekutuk the Asians in Malay....but suddenely we realized they had Singaporean flags at their bags..we became very quiet ,.

wat has it got to do with me?

totally agree with forrestcat

Like forrestcat said... most Singaporean was goddamit arrogant b!tch .
From my experiance in JB, when I talked to mamak shop owner in front of City Square, he told me that some Singaporean always didn't pay for their meal and that mamak owner need to collect the money first before the Singaporean eats..... But of course it doesn't happen with customer from Malaysia.
OMG, they are rich but kupik..

as a Singaporean...Im very sad to have to admit that yes Singaporeans can be pretty arrogant. not everyone is like that of course but its the stupid arrogant ones that give other sporeans a bad name.
One thing i can't stand about some Singaporeans is when they go abroad, they act like its their first time out of the freaking house or something. They get so kiasu about EVERYTHING!!!!!

^ Hey but its ok.. Rich guys always look down and mocked poor people. Its human nature....

You can always spot a singaporean anywhere.....their mouth and the way they dress....its so so singaporean

But I agree that we cant generalised nor stereotype. Look at Betong...arrogant also what....but not all kelantanese like dat mah.....

j/k bro....market down....must try to make myself happy a wee bit

Mou man tai la bro...
Market always down mah... I hope you don't killed yourself because of this

yah..kiasu singaporeans. I saw a Singaporean in the subway a few weeks ago. at first I thought that she might have been from China. but then, when the train arrived, she stood directly infront of the doors. N i was thinking to myself "hmm...seems sporean". and then the doors opened n she made a mad dash in not even allowing the passengers to exit first...n i was thinking "highly likely sporean"..finally in the train, she answered a call on her cell phone: "oei, Im in the train now lar. very bad reception lor. wait i call u when i go home" >>she said all this with a fake American accent..n i was just shaking my head thinking "Singaporean..definitely singaporean"

My ex gf came from KL. She is taylor's college lecturer. She had a bad experience with the hotel reception in one of the hotel here where the staff couldnt understand her....then she come and tell me that all Singaporeans are like that.....but I beg to differ lor....juz one experience cant really vouch anything

Another bad part of malaysian is that....wah singaporean lei...charge mor charge mor....hantam habis....juz like Indonesian in Batam

I hope I don't offend any Singapore forumers here but, I read an article once that stated that Singaporean tourists were the most likely to do things that they were told not to do ie taking photos, hotel towels etc.

well.... normally peoples only rem bad things abt someone.
it doesn't matter if u did 1000 good things... but once u did 1 bad things, peoples will rem it for very very long time.

from my own experience, yes... there are some singaporean that do look down on some malaysians. but it is not ALL of them.
in fact, MOST of the singaporean are NOT like that. At least this is wat happened to me since my 1st step into singapore about 10 years ago till now. Unless you telling me i am have been TOO LUCKY to meet all the good peoples only?

No, this is true. We only remember things that stand out and unfortunately bad things stand out more then good.

Haha...never hear about that for a long time bro.....it was a trend in the 80s

Been driving in SG bro?......you will be amaze on how the kiasuness has effected them. I bill them the worst drivers in the world. When you are supposed to give way....then dun do it infact they try to speed up to avoid you from turning in. When you signal they ignore ....when you carry on....they can shout with their high beams and horn....when you counter them....they sped off ...and when you threaten to pick up a fight with them....then you can see their balls shrink like crystal

My father always so scared when I get angry while on the road. All vulgar words juz sput out.....the training I get in KL is the best. If you can drive in KL or Malaysia....you can take any traffic around the world.....New York and Chicago would be a good test

singapore remind me napolean bonaparte, short n chubby but arrogant and cruel

... at least you're not a Filipino or Indonesia domestic worker there.

lucky me!

why lar....any bad experiences?

not particular event, try to get to singapore but the officer ask so many questions

meet me in KL next weekend bro

^ let u know, im planning to go somewhere in bukit bintang, to get new man utd kit with scholes 18 (UCL version)!

Roger. Will pm you my malaysian prepaid number. Dunno whether stil valid or not

noted

i'm singaporean. I'm not short, not chubby.

Donno if i'm arrogant. I'm not cruel.

Maybe you are talking abt the Chinese Singaporeans?

He's talking about himself lah.....

yet he built a powerful army, won many battles and admired by many people. I just wonder how long the analogy will go, because there are more things later in the story.

i am not good in singlish...what is kiasu???heard it many times on pua chu kang....

and why would singaporeans take photos of hotel towels???

No steal towels

Gadis, Kiasu doesnt really have a specific meaning but the general meaning for it is that the person is afraid to lose and has to always win. N also for example let's say Big mac burgers are going for $1 today. The Kiasu Singaporean will buy 10 Big macs eventhough he/she cannot finish eating it. and another thing is whenever there is a free gift or whatever, Kiasu people will queue up overnight for it...

okok..i dont thk i explained it too good. maybe Rico can explain it better...

Do u guys think SIngaporeans are talkative,I know one here's who's very talkative and the Singaporean who rode a bus with is Melbourne who chatted with us also talk alot.

^^ I hope ure not talking about me forrestcat!!!

^Are u bald?

yea, Singaporeans are talkative. They talk alot of co.ck too...!

Hey Tanga, welcome back. Had a good holiday I hope.

Hey Doc! Guess what? Your Prime Minister was here in Nairob this week!! He's a nice dude! He told us that Virgin Atlantics is flying direct from Singaproe to Nairobi now! Nice that Msia cares so much about the flight convenience of its fellow Singaporeans! hehe

How's life?

Singaporeans live in small flats. I'm living in one too.

87% of Singaporeans live in HDB(public housing, flats). See how terrible we are, having to live in small houses.

well, i didnt read up all the posts in here before i drop this comment but i do have to say that the 1st first sure hit right on into the hearts of most singaporeans. I will say that the culture and upbrings does create such an adverse effects on the kind of perception that singaporeans are molded to think and tick-tock their brains to think this way.

Life's not bad, thank you for asking. Flying to Singapore on Sunday


I think you might be confused, my PM is John Howard, he's not very nice.

Interesting comments from yahoo travel reviews.

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-488166-a...2jiE9A3wa12G2oL

It seems many com[lain Singaporeans dun smile?

Is this true?

Too say singaporean need to always smile like monkey expecting a banana all the time is something we find very hard to do. May be its in your blood that ALL malaysian like you put an extra smile always....

When there is nothing to compare....juz shuddup lar

^^ a perfect example of how friendly sporean is.. LOL!!

Yes we are not very friendly but we dun go on and brag about somebody for nothing

To us, silence is golden nor provoking