Tim’s Seven Steps to Becoming Singaporean
In celebration of Singapore’s 43rd year of nationhood and my seven years in Singapore here are the seven things that make me almost, but not quite, a native.
You be the judge.
1. I can now speak Singlish. I think I have mastered the use of lor, lah, meh, mah, can, cannot, though I still sound un-authentic at times.
2. I enjoy the kick of sambal and the thrill of chilli sauce everything. Thinking about it just makes my mouth water in delight!
3.I learned to love mee siam and laksa, nasi lemak and mee reebus, teh halia and teh tarik, prata and everything else in between. I also gained 8kgs in the 7 years living in Singapore.
4. And eating the above mentioned as “supper” after dinner or after work.
5. I learned to be comfortable going out of my home in nothing but flip-flops, berms and a t-shirt. Somtimes it is just to hot and humid to be wearing anything else.
6. I exchanged my loyalty to Cathay Pacific for that of Singapore Airlines. The Singapore girls and boys just know how to make their guests feel right at home. And I am booked to be away for a holiday while the fireworks light up the Singapore skies.
7. The other day at the grocery, a vegetable auntie even convinced me to exchange the Malaysian grown romaine lettuce in my basket, for a Singaporean one “this one better” she said. So I just believed her. Are there farms in Singapore?
Am I good enough?
Ok one last thing, I even have a jacket that looks very much like the Singapore flag.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:05 am
I think that Singapore is a very wonderful country cox its multi-racial and youll experience many cultures/lyfstyl3z ,, I aqtualie lyk the food here cox evrywer u go u can see food stalls and restaurants. hey tim whats your real race?
August 1st, 2008 at 12:26 am
I am a singaporean but i never know eating supper is very ’singaporean’ ….. until now. It never happens my family because my dad believes it is not healthy and would strongly deter us from eating late at night.
August 1st, 2008 at 11:12 am
no stephanie not personal, just not as quick to sell myself and other singaporeans short. no matter, to each their own. you say it’s not difficult to understand what it’s like to be singaporean. i just think that it’s difficult to comprehend singaporeans (that’s if you’re even singaporean) who dont think we’re special enough to be proud of our country, protective of our culture and not feel inferior to our couterparts.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
you miss out the most significant point, Tim. you have to serve national service if you want to become Singaporean.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I think you missed out chicken rice! They do have vegetable farms, check out Lim Chu Kang.
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I read your comments and just laughed!! I has been in Singapore for 6months, I am just as a infant!
Singaporean are always just kind for me and sometimes they speaks Japanese!!
I am always very surprise and impressed their vitality.
I will enjoy my singapore life and support Channel News Asia!!
November 20th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I like your style & your sense of humour~!