MMI

[$Pripps]

In Nov/Dec -09 the childcare were our son is was told by the office management that they have to move out due to renovations but instead of telling the parents they decided to keep quiet about it. Even when new children joined the center in January, they didn't say anything about any eventual move. Then just the last couple of weeks they informed us but more to the fact that a lot of rumors had started to circulate.

I find the behavior really kiasu, one would expect to be informed immediately in order to be able to have a contingency plan just in case.

So when you bring your child to a new child care it may be a good idea to ask if they are moving soon. 

[You say it's KIASU]

...but the same thing was done by the Ang Moh's who ran a ballet class that my daughter attended.  When they couldn't stay in the premises and had to move mid-term, they had the chutzpah to announce that they were "excited" to be moving to Horse City (from Dempsey).  After the parents protested, they returned part of our fees but not nearly enough.  They calculated the refund on the basis that we had cancelled and not on the basis that they moved their premises at short notice and we had no way to attend the classes any more (and only booked with them because they were close to where we lived).

For all the complaints about the locals here, I find that the Ang Moh businesses are the worst at ripping off the expats.

[another parent]

...but the same thing was done by the Ang Moh's who ran a ballet class that my daughter attended.  When they couldn't stay in the premises and had to move mid-term, they had the chutzpah to announce that they were "excited" to be moving to Horse City (from Dempsey).  After the parents protested, they returned part of our fees but not nearly enough.  They calculated the refund on the basis that we had cancelled and not on the basis that they moved their premises at short notice and we had no way to attend the classes any more (and only booked with them because they were close to where we lived).

For all the complaints about the locals here, I find that the Ang Moh businesses are the worst at ripping off the expats.

This dance school you refer to didn't know that they had to move.  The landlord ( who owns a business frequently slagged off on this forum) didn't inform them of the rise in rent until the last minute, despite their frequent requests for details of their new rent. Perhaps they should have seen it coming and informed their customers that their landlord wasn't forthcoming but since the landlord is a well known local business person, perhaps they were being diplomatic (I have no idea, I'm just guessing).  As to the refund - I don't know about that as we were happy with the move, as were most of our friends. 

[flabbergasted]

...but the same thing was done by the Ang Moh's who ran a ballet class that my daughter attended.  When they couldn't stay in the premises and had to move mid-term, they had the chutzpah to announce that they were "excited" to be moving to Horse City (from Dempsey).  After the parents protested, they returned part of our fees but not nearly enough.  They calculated the refund on the basis that we had cancelled and not on the basis that they moved their premises at short notice and we had no way to attend the classes any more (and only booked with them because they were close to where we lived).

For all the complaints about the locals here, I find that the Ang Moh businesses are the worst at ripping off the expats.

Oh, for crying out loud. You were not out of pocket AT ALL and are still complaining??? They refunded you for the lessons you chose not to attend, and that was 'not nearly enough'... You wanted to actually make money off this??? Come on!!!

You ARE being extremely KIASU.

Lastly, I find the term Ang Moh offensive. I don't call people of Asian descent names about the way they look, so is it too much for you to extend the same courtesy to others?

[$Pripps]

...but the same thing was done by the Ang Moh's who ran a ballet class that my daughter attended.  When they couldn't stay in the premises and had to move mid-term, they had the chutzpah to announce that they were "excited" to be moving to Horse City (from Dempsey).  After the parents protested, they returned part of our fees but not nearly enough.  They calculated the refund on the basis that we had cancelled and not on the basis that they moved their premises at short notice and we had no way to attend the classes any more (and only booked with them because they were close to where we lived).

For all the complaints about the locals here, I find that the Ang Moh businesses are the worst at ripping off the expats.

I don't think locals have monopoly on being kiasu, that said,  in my referred case they deliberately withheld information in order to keep all options open for themselves as well to keep on cashing in as long as they could. good style?

[To Flab...]

"Oh, for crying out loud. You were not out of pocket AT ALL :

Yes I was out of pocket.  They did not refund me pro rata but penalised me for not wanting to follow them cross town. 

To you and "another parent" I suggest that the business arrangements of the owners are not my concern.  After all, if they had got a rent reduction, they would not reduce my fees, so why should they penalise me for the fact that they unilaterally moved the agreed venue for the courses?

And...try not to play thick...see that the refund should have been at pro rata rate of unused lessons to total lessons.

[goodness me]

Blimey wtf2 - you really have been mixing with low life Brits.  I'm British and none of my friends would ever use the names you mention.  They're all considered racist and aren't used by anyone with an IQ higher than 80.

[Horrified]

To "towft2"  the terms that you mention are practically prehistoric - used in the days of racial insensitivity.  Thankfully they are no longer in common use and anyone who does so immediately identifies themselves as an uneducated lout.

In most cultures today, identifying someone in racial terms is seen as unacceptable - hence the offense taken at the use of ang moh.  

We used to burn witches at the stake and believe the world was flat - would you use that as a justification for something today?

[to wtf2]

Dear last 2 pp's,

I am truly glad that you and your circle find those expressions offensive and unacceptable.  Kudos to both of you.

However, I can assure you that their usage is not as extinct as you think.  I know of somebody who lives in a v posh part of London (I won't mention where in case he reads this site) who referred to Mustafas (in Little India) as a "w0g's bazaar". 

I myself was referred to (behind my back but related to me by people present) as "that little foreigner" by somebody who is the finance director of a major British PLC (I can assure you that, physically, I tower over that "gentleman").

The above are two examples of upper middle class people using that type of language in unguarded moments.  I am not just talking about louts and skinheads (who routinely talk that way).

My best wishes to you.

[non-red hair white]

Please enlighten me: I am what would be referred to as Ang Moh. Is it really an offensive term? Personally I would never use any of the terms referred further up this post, and I have had the term Ang Moh used about me, but never really taken offense as it did not seem to be used in an offensive way.

I think the reason why those other terms are more hurtful is because they spring from the days of empire or the time that followed it when non-whites were mostly at a disadvantage. Most white people have not lived through that kind of difficulty because of colour (only because of class), so whilst it is perhaps not too pleasant to be referred to by your appearance, it can never have the painful connotation for whites as a term like ni**** is bound to have for black people or other races the other names mentioned.

[in a name]

 

I am what would be referred to as Ang Moh. Is it really an offensive term?

not really, as you know it means Red Hair, but I'm sure if all us foreigners started calling Chinese  people 'Black Hair', they'd soon take offense.

It's funny how people can get away with all kinds of names for white people these days but they can't do the same.............I suppose it's poetic justice really.

What are we called in China - isn't it 'white ghost' or something.  LOL,  the world has come full circle with the racist terms   

[To - Another Parent]

"This dance school you refer to didn't know that they had to move.  The landlord ( who owns a business frequently slagged off on this forum) didn't inform them of the rise in rent until the last minute, despite their frequent requests for details of their new rent. Perhaps they should have seen it coming and informed their customers that their landlord wasn't forthcoming but since the landlord is a well known local business person, perhaps they were being diplomatic (I have no idea, I'm just guessing).  As to the refund - I don't know about that as we were happy with the move, as were most of our friends."


  There is always two sides of the story. Their relationship soured for actual reasons, only the two parties will know. Each will tell their side of the story. I find is strange that their space was filled in by another dance school providing the some sort of services to the community at Loewen Gardens. That is really strange for a Landlord to do that. I guess the former dance school wasn't that great of a tenant after all.  . Happy Feet, Tanglin Arts Studio or whatever they are called aren't so happy after all. I heard from the grapevine in Horsecity that the Landlord there is not very happy with them too..... I wonder why....... Based on this thread of smart arse people.... it must be the LANDLORD...... right  . Really darf.....

As for the derogatory term of Ang Moh... well we are also bullies when we come together and congregate over a bottle of Chardonnay by calling the local Chinese 'Slant Eyes', "Yellow Skins" and the list goes on for all other ethnic Asian. We are the biggest whiners. Other than looking after our own families, what have we actually done to contribute to the country that we are living in now.... Nothing but complains all the time. I too am guilty of it. I wonder why these local business owners really choose to be of service to us??? Can't be our so called deep pockets as God and everyone knows..... we don't have them. What drives them??? Makes it a good read if someone actually write a book on them..... I guess I will get, even though it's not necessary, replies to this thread. Typical of our 'Ang Mohness' ( hey, new term.. wonder if I can get it into the dictionary like 'Google'.) Enough said, I need to go a verbally abuse my Asian maid now. Ta

[Devilish]

I am what would be referred to as Ang Moh. Is it really an offensive term?

What are we called in China - isn't it 'white ghost' or something.  LOL,  the world has come full circle with the racist terms   

I thought "Foreign Devils" is the standard term.  I even recall a British tour company has a package to China (I think it was a cycling holiday)named something like Foreign Devils on the road to Beijing.....

(It was probably a play on the name of the book by Peter Hopkirk, Foreign Devils on the Silk Road).

[A local says...]

"As for the derogatory term of Ang Moh... well we are also bullies when we come together and congregate over a bottle of Chardonnay by calling the local Chinese 'Slant Eyes', "Yellow Skins" and the list goes on for all other ethnic Asian. We are the biggest whiners. Other than looking after our own families, what have we actually done to contribute to the country that we are living in now.... Nothing but complains all the time. I too am guilty of it. I wonder why these local business owners really choose to be of service to us??? Can't be our so called deep pockets as God and everyone knows..... we don't have them. What drives them??? Makes it a good read if someone actually write a book on them..... I guess I will get, even though it's not necessary, replies to this thread. Typical of our 'Ang Mohness' ( hey, new term.. wonder if I can get it into the dictionary like 'Google'.) Enough said, I need to go a verbally abuse my Asian maid now. Ta"

Simply the very fact you (most likely your husband though) are working here contributes to the economy. If it wasn't for FT, Singapore would be the same as 60 years ago.

[An expat says....]

Really, get over it.  When we adopt terms like Ang Moh (or Gweilo in HK) to describe ourselves, they cease to be derogatory.  Lighten up people, we could (and often should) be called much worse.