When did Singapore Expats Become so Egotistical?

[PhiloSurfer]

Kubes is God's gift to Singapore. Discuss.

What are you upset about? This is an expat site for the Singapore expat community to discuss matters of common interest. It is not for “journalists” to try find people to do their research for them, especially for stories that will increase local heart-landers’ negative feelings and disdain for the foreign talents who actually drive this economy. (emphasis mine)

This was posted by a dude named Kubes.SG in a series of responses to a journalist’s request to comment on how the current economy is making life difficult for expats.

Wow. Is this guy for real?

I work with expats everyday for the past four years, and pretty much all of the expats that I’ve encountered so far in Singapore have been nice, humble and pleasant people.

So although I’m inclined to think that Mr. Kubes’ opinion is of the minority, it’s still disturbing to think that there may be a segment of the expat community here who are egotistical enough to think that they are indispensable to the Singaporean economy, and local “heart-landers” somehow need to be protected and fed propaganda from our “nation-building press” so we can feel much better about ourselves being inferior to the “rich Ang-Mohs”.

Yes, I took some liberties with words, but do read the forum thread for yourself, and see if you walked away with the same feeling I described above.

Anyway, that is just wrong on so many levels.

Here are some questions I would ask:

   1. Do well-compensated foreign talent really play that much of a bigger role in driving the Singaporean economy than Singaporean heartlanders?
   2. If that is true, do Singapreans feel inferior to foreign talent because of this, and therefore feel disdain towards foreigners?
   3. And if that is true, does the Singapore government (by proxy through the media) feel it’s in the country’s best interest to continue encouraging negative feelings in Singaporeans towards foreign talent?

It’s pretty insulting to think that there are actually some people that believe the answers to the above questions are all “Yes”.

It’s a shame, really. Perhaps this all could of been avoided if the government didn’t openly sing the praises of foreign talent so much during the past few years. Or even stop the prevalent use of the term “foreign talent”, which according to Mr. Biao, has contributed to demoralizing Singaporeans and over-qualifying foreigners.

If you constantly tell your firstborn son how much better his adopted sister is, naturally he will start hating his sister. Start showering the adopted sister with love, toys and perks that the son doesn’t have, and naturally she will develop an ego and a superiority complex.

What do you think? Is the foreign talent vs. heartlander dynamic really more pervasive than we think?

[$Pripps]

I think your question is wrong, reality is that most foreigners do not read this forum so using the posts from here as some kind of base for statistics will give you a very skew picture of how the average 'foreign talent' thinks.

Kubes thinks like the old colonial jerk offs who went to Africa to 'educate' the savages, to bring 'civilization' and shove it down their throats. Most of us foreigners/expats (speaking for myself) have a different attitude, we think its a privilege to be here in Singapore to experience a new culture and mindset. 

So no, we are not all like Kubes.

As to whether the foreign talent is really needed... there is probably not a general answer to that.

[murph]

Agree with $Pripps.  I cringe when I read Kubes.SG's posts.  I find it hysterical that he has the nerve to expect the BM to 'Be respectful, fair and honest.  Explain your actions.' yet his level of 'debate' sinks to calling anyone who disagrees with him a 'moron'. 

So, no; we are not all like Kubes, Thank God!  Most of us realise that we are guests in this country and should behave accordingly.  We are here by choice.  If we ever become so resentful and consumed by misery in the way that Kubes clearly is, we always have the option to leave. 

[cb]

PhiloSurfer,

Ironically, the main jest I received from your post is how divisive words can be. The title of the thread When did Singapore Expats Become so Egotistical?, could only of been used to stir emotion.

Discuss. Ok....

Perhaps you could post a link because I couldn't find the thread. Picking one comment out of a whole thread is a bit divisive in itself. You have chosen to show this comment in a negative light without showing the whole interaction.

This will be hard for you to believe, but some people do not generally agree to the media establishment in Singapore and like it or not, there are articles published that some people find offensive. To me, the words ang mo are offensive and used in print everyday. Apart from that, as you have not shown the whole conversation, how do you expect people to comment if he is for real?

I will agree there are Expat who think they are gods gifts to the locals, but there are also locals who think all foreigners are evil (or red devils, whatever you like). When was the last time you heard of a Singaporean marry a Bangladeshi construction worker? You cant say you've never heard of a Singaporean woman being afraid of Chinese women (even read it). The girl being molested on stage at Zoukout when nobody helped her, blame the Indians (not me blaming them, local bloggers).

The fact is its a symbiotic relationship. They need us and we need them. If there where no expats here ever, Singapore would not be where it is today. That is a simple fact anybody with half a brain should realize.

Your questions answered, by me:

1. Do well-compensated foreign talent really play that much of a bigger role in driving the Singaporean economy than Singaporean heartlanders?
I'm not an economics master, but I think it would be fair to say yes. Heartlander's by definition are not your board CEO's of managing directors. That's a specific answer to your question, not Singaporean vs Expats which I believe you are trying to get at.

2. If that is true, do Singaporeans feel inferior to foreign talent because of this, and therefore feel disdain towards foreigners?
I don't know and I doubt many people on this board would. We are mostly foreigners....

3. And if that is true, does the Singapore government (by proxy through the media) feel it’s in the country’s best interest to continue encouraging negative feelings in Singaporeans towards foreign talent?
I don't believe that is true. It's not in the governments interests to make foreigners out to be evil. It is in their interest to differentiate though.

By demonizing expats through Kubes, you have really shot yourself in the foot PhiloSurfer.

Perhaps you would like to have a look at some local forums like stomp to see where most of the hatred is coming from in our relationship.

[PhiloSurfer]

cb - I posted the link, but it was deleted by BM. No, the general comments are not mine.  My only contribution is the first line in bold. So, I am not demonizing expats through Kubes. And Kubes does not need help in this area - he's doing fine all by himself.

[Vulcanl]

OP's reference is from another Singapore blog where the blogger in question was quoting Kubes (my man - the legend grows by the day!!). 

Relatively recently Kubes' rantings here attracted the attention of a representative from the ministry of Law (if I recall correctly), and they proceeded to address Kubes' issue.  Kubes has not calmed down much since. 

I agree that most expats I meet in the real World are nothing like Kubes.  The few that are tend to be as extreme.  I find the whole mindset quite illogical.

But in the end this site would not be as entertaining without the unbelievably asinine complaints that some of these characters post. 

So rock on, I say!!  these are only words anyway...

[cb]

PhiloSurfer,

Noted.

Vulcan,

I agree with you. Words are harmless unless you give them power.

[Kubes.SG]

Well well well.

If I recall correctly the quote from me in the opening post was in response to multiple requests from "journos" at the ST asking for expats' response our looming job loses, repatriation and hardship as the GFC ramped-up.  The "journos" did identify themselves as such but they made their request multiple times, despite getting deleted each time by the BMs.  That in itself was kind of funny.

Reading the blog comments was interesting. (easy to find with Google).   I particularly liked this one that included something I wrote on this site in a fit of dismay at the stampede to buy tiny shoe boxes.

I stand by those points today.

And the consequences of the purchases are still pending.

#
passerby permalink
January 10, 2010

Kubes is one Aussie expat who has stayed in Sing for more than 10 years. He seems to have a pathological obsession with denigrating everything about Singapore even though he claimed to love this place.

His level of animosity to anything Singaporean really does raise the question – why is he here in the first place and for an extended period of time? While criticism is fine and healthy doses of it are great, a little bit of graciousness towards your host country is also sometimes in order. I never find Kubes expressing even a tiny bit of that, it’s a constant tiresome stream of negativity from him. Below is an extract of what was posted by him early last year:-

“Imagine a place where the Govt protects the simpleton populace from the realities of natural capitalist markets; where untold tens of billions are spent to protect jobs; where individuals’ financial decisions are not made based on macro economic principles, ability to pay or needs, but on what friends and families say; where nearly everyone is KIASU and live everyday in abject terror of missing out; where “herd mentality” and “group think” dominates nearly all elements of society to the extent people can’t make their own decisions resulting in hundreds of thousands of foreign business managers and leaders (talents) brought in to lead nearly all serious business activities in the country; where 80% of the people can’t understand why their housing is barely above 3rd-world standards yet is the most expensive in the world at that quality level; where citizens and economists can’t understand how per capita GDP is 400% higher than median income; where 65% of citizens declare they would emigrate if given the chance; where no one ever questions or challenges the benevolent leadership told for fear of massive retribution; where people are sheltered from bad news but a bombarded with limitless good news; where the citizens are wrapped in cotton-wool and believe they will be looked after no matter want happens.

Imagine a country where nothing is real; where irrational things are normal; where gross incompetence and negligence is ignored or denied; where face is more important that respect, honor or integrity; where rampant greed, fear of losing and stupidity are in limitless supply.

Imagine all these things, and you should not be surprised that property prices could rise at the early stage of deepest recession (near depression) in the country’s history, when GDP could decline nearly 10%; while its global markets have completely collapsed with no obvious upside on the 1 or 2 year horizon.

When you imagine all these things, you have reached of end of the rainbow and the end of yellow brick road: Uniquely Singapore – the World’s only Reality Free Zone.”
Reply

[titan]

this part of Kubes post-

where 80% of the people can’t understand why their housing is barely above 3rd-world standards yet is the most expensive in the world at that quality level

??   The housing standards here are excellent. I've lived in 3 different places, all excellent.  the rest of your post reads to me like your writing a novel and just being overly dramatic. A work of fiction.

[Vulcanl]

Titan,

I agree with you.  I have lived in a serviced apartment for 2 years, in a private condo with facilities for 2 years, and the rest of the time I have been here in HDB (in that chronological order).  The residential living standards here are VERY good across the board.

Kubes is the ringleader of the merry band of trolls here who live like Kings (relative to the average resident here, citizen and foreigner alike) and still find themselves compelled to take valuable time out of their lives to express their disgust with the place.

It is actually very amusing to me, as these guys are actually pretty easy to wind up.  The resulting fireworks give me a good laugh when I get bored.

I mean, think about it: as a Westerner can you think of an easier place in Asia to be an 'expat'?   And STILL these guys can't hack it!!!   

[titan]

No I can't think of an easier place to adjust to as an expat.  Easy to get around, somethings seem more expensive than they should be....I will be specific...concerts.  For example, Deep Purple is coming here....tickets start at $88 and that's for a bad seat up top - That's just Deep Purple.   
 About 7 years ago in the states I saw DP w/Scorpions and Dio and the ticket price was USD 40.00.   When it comes to concerts over here, Singaporeans get royally screwed on ticket prices.

[Kubes.SG]

V, Titan:

You miss the point on the housing.  You are caught up in the same game that the SG Govt plays.  When it suits them they compare themselves to the developing countries around region and say "look, see how great your housing is compared to Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand"  and other times they choose to compare themselves to developed countries with "look, see how cheap your housing is compared to London, Manhattan, Tokyo".    Anything to for a positive spin.


The point is that for its price, SG housing (HDB or otherwise) is the crappiest, smallest and least value of any place on earth.  HDB sells for 5 times the cost of development.  That is theft.

[Vulcanl]

Kubes,

"...The point is that for its price, SG housing (HDB or otherwise) is the crappiest, smallest and least value of any place on earth..."

That may very well be (and I don't agree with you), but I am currently living and working in Singapore, and I need a place to stay.  As you know I am not on an 'expat' package and have to fund this cost on my own.  Renting is thousands of dollars out the window every month that I will never see again.  Owning HDB, however (even if leasehold) presents the following advantages:

-The incredible, incalculable freedom and power that comes from being a homeowner not at the mercy and petty whims of a landlord
-Lower monthly cost
-Chance to make back the monthly payments for the duration of stay (if we sell it later at break-even including all transaction and renovation costs)

"...HDB sells for 5 times the cost of development.  That is theft..."

Again - perhaps, perhaps not.  But it is the BEST option available here.  We already agree that private condos present one of the worst 'bang for your buck' deals to be had here.  HDB is the best. 

I have longer term goals (post Singapore).  Owning HDB has allowed me to save lots of cash pretty quickly.  At the rate things are going Stateside, I may just be able to purchase one of the most desirable assets on Earth (a suburban home in the US with plenty of land) for cash!!

Try to keep an open mind, Kubes.  One size does NOT fit all

[$Pripps]

-The incredible, incalculable freedom and power that comes from being a homeowner not at the mercy and petty whims of a landlord
-Lower monthly cost
-Chance to make back the monthly payments for the duration of stay (if we sell it later at break-even including all transaction and renovation costs)

I would agree if it weren't for the technicality here that you can be enbloced  any day even against your will so instead of not being at the mercy and petty whims of a land lord you are at the mercy of your fellow home owners.

I find it also sad that apartments here seem to be built on the basis that they will be teared down soon again so therefore quality is not that important. In Europe houses stand around for generations and are still really nice to live in but here, once something has been built, it seems it is just a matter of time before it gets torn down.