Singapore for Singaporeans?

[BeContented]

ChiefKiasu:

limlim:

Why the company themselves never make an effort to encourage Singaporeans to buy their products? They can't blame anyone but themselves.


Why is Make in Singapore product not sold cheaper in Singapore to encourage local consumption while maintaining the high standard of quality of the product sold overseas?

They are just profit oriented companies. And they do not make special privilege for Singaporeans when they sell their products locally. They do not appreciate local consumers, why should local consumer appreciate them?

Did the Govt never support them? I believe, they receive grants or tax concessions for innovations for investments locally. They could have passed the savings to Singaporeans but they didn't (I guess). Why should Govt encourage local consumption? The products should speak for themselves.

It is ridiculous to see so often, that Made-In-Singapore products are actually sold much much cheaper overseas than locally. That some locals have to actually import from US many Made-In-Singapore products! (for e.g. SSDs) as it is so much cheaper even factoring in shipping costs! (as much as 50% or more).

And, also, for flash drives, I heard (can't verify), these items are actually more costly in Singapore than overseas because they have to pay loyalty if sold in Singapore, but not when sold overseas. This is like a tight slap on local consumers by a local company!

These local companies are just trying to squeeze as much as possible from locals, even thou the market is actually not that big.

They treat local consumers like carrots.. chop chop chop chop as much as they can..

If you don't care for local consumers, don't expect local consumers to support you.

Thanks limlim, I think you are the only one who actually responded to my point so far

In reality, the kind of support provided to local enterprises from our government is far below that given to similar industries by other countries. There was a time when things were being made in the right direction, where money is pumped into long-term research in key sectors like biotech and IT. But we have too little patience, and we expect too much too soon.

You have made a good point regarding pricing issues - most local enterprises play it safe and price above cost to survive short-term, with little emphasis to win the market.

But my point is not really about the lack of government support. What I'm trying to say is that we Singaporeans have to change the way we view ourselves and our own achievements. I remembered how I was almost beaten up by a bunch of South Koreans when I stupidly made a joke about Hyundai cars back in the 80s. Well, the car really sucked then, but you never want to make fun of it to South Koreans who are fiercely proud of anything South Korean.

While I don't agree with their thuggish behavior, I couldn't help but feel admiration for their nationalistic spirit. That is something which I feel is missing in our relationship with Singapore. If an outsider criticises a Singapore-made product, I think we are more apt to agree with that comment than to take issue with it.

So, can we really blame anyone but ourselves if we have to hire foreign talents to do what we think we ourselves cannot do?

We do seem to be lacking in nationalist spirit.......hmmmm.....anyone care to start a thread \"What are you proud of - as a Singaporean/in Sg/things from SG\" ?

[LOLMum]

BeContented:

We do seem to be lacking in nationalist spirit.......hmmmm.....anyone care to start a thread \"What are you proud of - as a Singaporean/in Sg/things from SG\" ?

Ah........guess that would be food....

[daisyt]

fightingmom:

daisyt:

Yes, respect our way of life and not make us become their second country. I hate most when these China sales people or stall menders call me \"美女\". We Singaporeans address ladies as 小姐，小妹妹，auntie and not 美女. This is Singapore, not China.

Hi daisyt,

Just for your info, in China when they address a woman 小姐- they are referring to those hostess. That's why you usually see them addressing one another by surname or last name like 周董 ( for someone owning a company - even for a lady boss - addressing 周小姐 is actually an insult) or 小周.

Travelled to China on a few occasions and we weren't aware of the above so we addressed the waitresses who served us 小姐。 They were kind of offended until the China guide explained to us. So it is a matter of understand each country's culture and making an effort to adapt and adjust.

Hi fightingmom, yes i am aware of that. My point is, this is Singapore and we have been addressing each other in such manners all the while. Why must we change it because of them? Should't they find out how Singaporeans address each other and adapt to our ways? I feel more offended being address as 美女 because i know i am not pretty lah

[fightingmom]

daisyt:

fightingmom:

[quote=\"daisyt\"]Yes, respect our way of life and not make us become their second country. I hate most when these China sales people or stall menders call me \"美女\". We Singaporeans address ladies as 小姐，小妹妹，auntie and not 美女. This is Singapore, not China.

Hi daisyt,

Just for your info, in China when they address a woman 小姐- they are referring to those hostess. That's why you usually see them addressing one another by surname or last name like 周董 ( for someone owning a company - even for a lady boss - addressing 周小姐 is actually an insult) or 小周.

Travelled to China on a few occasions and we weren't aware of the above so we addressed the waitresses who served us 小姐。 They were kind of offended until the China guide explained to us. So it is a matter of understand each country's culture and making an effort to adapt and adjust.

Hi fightingmom, yes i am aware of that. My point is, this is Singapore and we have been addressing each other in such manners all the while. Why must we change it because of them? Should't they find out how Singaporeans address each other and adapt to our ways? I feel more offended being address as 美女 because i know i am not pretty lah [/quote]No lah ... I am not saying we change because of them. I am saying maybe they need time to adjust - if no one tells them - I doubt they are aware of it. Same as my experience in China - if the china guide never point out to us then, we also won't know about the 小姐 thing ...

[LOLMum]

美女and老板 are some common terms which have been used for years in hawker centers, food courts and even taxi drivers used them to address customers.


Don’t think it started with prc.

[kiddo]

Way2GO:

Always21:

My worry is my children future. All good jobs might be taken by them. They are cheaper, driven by wealth and success. Willing to do more and paid less. So do we teach our kids to be like them, selfish and cold.

I am really lost with words. I really want the old Singapore.

We can't turn back. If we stagnate while d world continues forward,
we will shrivel n die.
d trick is to focus on d big picture - but so far, it ain't pretty,
n dat's making a lot of ppl feeling uncomfortable n restless.

Way2Go- Care to share some of what you thinking when you wrote

\"but so far, it ain't pretty,
n dat's making a lot of ppl feeling uncomfortable n restless\" -sound
bleak :gloomy:
I love to hear another perspective?

Why - wants /need /fear ??
- its need a change of mindset isn't it ?? or am I too naive ??
Yes focus on the \"big picture\" ??

[buds]

LOLMum:

BeContented:

We do seem to be lacking in nationalist spirit.......hmmmm.....anyone care to start a thread \"What are you proud of - as a Singaporean/in Sg/things from SG\" ?

Ah........guess that would be food....

I knew you were gg to say FOOD! :rotflmao:

[hquek]

One thing chief brought up, S.koreans are very nationalistic. Someone shared with me that Japanese will only shop at their supermarkets - meidiya, Isetan. You won’t catch them in NTUC (usually).


It seems that SGeans are quite apologetic. We are made to feel ashamed for using singlish, for being ks. I have seen one who was busy dissing how lacking SGeans are and was wondering if we do have any pride to be a SG anymore.

[hquek]

It is fine to welcome competition. But Im not sure how young my kids should be when I tell them they have to fight and compete. age 7? I rather this happens after pri level when kids are older.


Also, can we really compete with foreigners? For the men, some employers don’t like that men have to go on reservist training and thus prefer to hire those who don’t have this requirement. For women, we are to procreate to have the next gen. But then, any sympathy when bosses complain about maternity leave and the accompanying child care leave?

if I’m a boss, I also want to hire all foreigners. They may work harder and are possibly cheaper. But is that the right way forward? I’m glad that govt do have restrictions to prevent that scenario from happening. On a micro level, to me, we won’t ever be able to measure up to FT.

Nothing against welcoming talent, but can we retain some pride and don’t go around splashing money on scholarships everywhere hoping to find one pearl amongst the many? I don’t quit fancy being called stupid for throwing money at some of those people who take tax payer money for thei education and then sneer at us.

[LOLMum]

buds:

LOLMum:

[quote=\"BeContented\"]


We do seem to be lacking in nationalist spirit.......hmmmm.....anyone care to start a thread \"What are you proud of - as a Singaporean/in Sg/things from SG\" ?

Ah........guess that would be food....

I knew you were gg to say FOOD! :rotflmao:[/quote]
:evil: