Have you ever heard of the Hokkien word, " kiasu"? It usually applies to Singaporeans. The word "kiasu" means that one must be always be better than someone and one must have what others have. Our "Kiasium" is attributed to our competitiveness in virtually everything, ranging from education, sports to many others. It is an unmistakable Singaporean identity, which make us unique in a certain way.
A company " Grabber " was about to close down. It was a world-wide known company, who sell good quality printers at a high price. Since it was about to close down, it had to break even the price, so that they would be able to earn as much as they could in the shortest time possible before they close down. Those printer were sold at a 75% discount in Parkway Parade, while stocks last. The shop was due to open at 10a.m, but the mall was chock-a-block with lots of people even before 6a.m. As the door opened to start business, people tried rushing in first by pushing and pulling each other. Unfortunately, they were stopped by the sales men, who got them to line up properly first before the shop could be opened fully. They let the first 20 to get into the shop first to select their purchased their printers. As they finished, other shoppers went in. I waited in line impatiently for my turn. There were more than 20 people in front of me, even though I had waited for more than 3 hours to grab this once in a lifetime bargain. I stood there with my arms akimbo, tapping my foot as I looked frantically as other shoppers took away their hard-earned printers from the shelves.
" Would there be enough for me then? " I wondered to myself. As time dragged like an eternity, the queue finally grew shorter. Another person more and it would be my turn. Just as I thought I was finally getting the printer soon, the skinny auntie in front of me allowed her fat friend to cut the queue. Although I wasn't really concerned as there were still 7 printers left, but I irritated by her extending my waiting time. However, the crowd behind minded a lot about it. " Oi... cut queue ah?"they grumbled toward the aunties. Those aunties turned around and snorted at us before getting ready to purchased their merchandise. I was shocked. Even though the aunties cut the queue, they did not even feel apologetic about it, which made the crowd more furious. A auntie should have gotten a printer if not for the two aunties, stomped out of the queue and lumbered toward them like an angry bear, just as the auntie were about to enter the shop together. As they were entering the shop, the "bear" held both aunties back with her immense strength. They spun around, wondering who their " attacker" was. The "bear" stared at them as if daggers were coming out from it to stab them. Although they squirmed a bit from the stare, but managed to put on a bold front, with their head held up, not wanting to admit their mistakes. The onlookers knew a deadly brawl between the two forces was brewing soon.
We, Singaporeans, being busybodies rushed into the shop, wanting to join the commotion. Without any notice, the "bear" made the first deadly move; she swiftly held the aunties by their collars and screamed into their ears about how inconsiderate and unfair they were. But both aunties did not bother listening to her and even said that the “bear” was “kiasu”, stupid and fat. The “bear” was so shock about the comment about her that she momentarily released the aunties from their “demise”. Using this opportunity, both aunties pushed the heavy “bear” out of the way to continue their shopping, but the push was a little too powerful that the “bear” could not keep her balanced that she crashed onto the “priceless” printers. The two aunties laughed at the sight, while the crowd were astound or disappointed that the printers were gone by the sheer weight. Recovered from the pushed, she stood up and pointed a finger at the two aunties, indicating the “you are dead” sign.
Suddenly, the two aunties made a racist remark of the “bear” about how her race was all fat and ugly. Everyone was confounded with those racist remarks. The crowd grew more and more unsettled and the atmosphere changed from excited from the purchase of printers to nervous from the argument. Although in Singapore, racist remarks were not prohibited but were dangerous as they incite people’s feelings and caused problems. To defend herself and her race, the “bear” also made racist remarks of the other two aunties. As they continued with their argument, they grew bolder and bolder with the words; they started clenching their fist, ready for a brawl.
Seeing this, the sales manager who was on looking at the corner decided to step in and break up the fight, while the other sales men held the aunties back to prevent further fights. As the sales manager warned them that how racist remarks could hurt and incite feeling, they stared at each other not wanting to admit they were wrong. When the sales manager requested them to compensate for the damages, they started shouting that they were not at fault and it was the other aunties’ fault, not theirs. They struggled with the sales men who held them back, trying to break free and beat up the opposite party. Seeing the aunties not wanting to admit their mistakes, the crowd booed. With so many people looking at them doing something wrong, even the thickest skin person would feel embarrassed. The aunties looked around at the numerous people booing at them and hung their heads in shame. They had regretted their actions. They decided to spilt the compensation into three, before making off swiftly as they did not want to lose any more of their pride.
Although I did not buy any printers that day, I was able to learn that this Singaporean identity can be ugly as evidenced by the incident described above. But for this, Singaporeans are lovely people and all foreigners would say “ Yeah!”
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