To migrate or not?

[Attolia]

Always21:

I encountered that 'hey, speaks english, you are in Australia.'

I was talking to a close friend in the bus, when the lady opposite me stared at me and said that. I don't think that was very nice of her.
That was ten years ago, that is why migrating overseas was a no no.

I think generally most people are great, but I guess sometimes people can get frustrated when they're walking down the road and can't understand a word anyone is saying. And fair enough. Some places are truly Little Asias, and you could probably play 'count the white person'. I guess in that sense it's unnerving to see your city change and many immigrants arriving in a relatively short space of time. There was an interesting article in the NZ Herald last year about 'should all signage have English words on them?' like in Asian restaurants and stuff, and the consensus was 'no, keep the ethnic writing,' but an overwhelming number of Kiwis commented that they didn't feel welcome in those establishments because there's nary an English word to be seen -- the menus are in Chinese, the restaurant's name is in Chinese, the waiters don't speak English, and I can understand how they could feel resentful about things like that.

[pirate]

Attolia:

There was an interesting article in the NZ Herald last year about 'should all signage have English words on them?' like in Asian restaurants and stuff, and the consensus was 'no, keep the ethnic writing,' but an overwhelming number of Kiwis commented that they didn't feel welcome in those establishments because there's nary an English word to be seen -- the menus are in Chinese, the restaurant's name is in Chinese, the waiters don't speak English, and I can understand how they could feel resentful about things like that.

I bet you at least one or two smart alecs retorted that they should require all signs to have Māori.

[keroppi]

Dora1:

Maybe that time, no more pineapple tarts during CNY! :yikes: :yikes: So doesn't matter whether you are in SG or migrated overseas!

Yup, maybe we will all be eating \"jiao zi\" (dumplings) for CNY by then.

[Canvas]

I think it is really sad when my DS said that he will work very hard so that he can help us leave Singapore before it is flooded by 7million people. Almost as if we are a starving 3rd world countrymen and DS tries to get the family out of poverty like that. SIGH.

[Always21]

Attolia:

Always21:

I encountered that 'hey, speaks english, you are in Australia.'

I was talking to a close friend in the bus, when the lady opposite me stared at me and said that. I don't think that was very nice of her.
That was ten years ago, that is why migrating overseas was a no no.

I think generally most people are great, but I guess sometimes people can get frustrated when they're walking down the road and can't understand a word anyone is saying. And fair enough. Some places are truly Little Asias, and you could probably play 'count the white person'. I guess in that sense it's unnerving to see your city change and many immigrants arriving in a relatively short space of time. There was an interesting article in the NZ Herald last year about 'should all signage have English words on them?' like in Asian restaurants and stuff, and the consensus was 'no, keep the ethnic writing,' but an overwhelming number of Kiwis commented that they didn't feel welcome in those establishments because there's nary an English word to be seen -- the menus are in Chinese, the restaurant's name is in Chinese, the waiters don't speak English, and I can understand how they could feel resentful about things like that.

It is just that in Singapore, everyone speaks whatever they are comfortable with, you can speak dialect to your parents and turn around and speaks English or Chinese to your friends and no one will bother you. Just small things that can make you feel at home or feel like a stranger.

Yes, our country is changing and I hope our government can understand our worries and take smaller steps in inviting FT in.

[Attolia]

pirate:

Attolia:

There was an interesting article in the NZ Herald last year about 'should all signage have English words on them?' like in Asian restaurants and stuff, and the consensus was 'no, keep the ethnic writing,' but an overwhelming number of Kiwis commented that they didn't feel welcome in those establishments because there's nary an English word to be seen -- the menus are in Chinese, the restaurant's name is in Chinese, the waiters don't speak English, and I can understand how they could feel resentful about things like that.

I bet you at least one or two smart alecs retorted that they should require all signs to have Māori.

Ha. Yup. Imagine how big each sign would be -- Chinese, English and Maori. :yikes:

[vinegar]

We go to botanic garden every wkend.U don’t see lots of singaporean there. Nowadays,there r more Ang Moh(jogging wf dogs), maids feeding their india boyfrds,Phil maids who gather ard n having pinic, Indo maids gather ard n sing malay songs, china PRC who taking pic or throwing biscuits/breads into the lake.


I agree wf what WP said in the parliment y’day…singaporean is slowly losing their identities.

I see maids everywhere,and they always cut my quene,esp. in places like cold storage or ntuc finest…well,i always tell them,if not raise my voice.sianz…

[vinegar]

also saw maids swimming with white,translucent bikini.


I couldnt find a place to sit n rest when strolling wf my son…coz all the seats/benches r occupied by maids n dogs.Yes,they put their dogs on the benches.Some even invite their frds or india bfs into the estate n tak pic. Some hv parties when their owner not ard. Some invite their frds to barbecue even they don’t pay for the maintenance.

[toddles]

Attolia:

toddles:

Hee hee, my hubby says his second nationality is Kiwi cos he LOVES the All Blacks.

My friends and I went down to the wharf to watch all the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup games on the big screen. It was awesome. I thought about buying tickets to the actual matches, but I was too cheap to. Haha.

We nearly caught a rugby match in Christchurch when we were there on honeymoon... but we didn't plan early enough, so couldn't get tickets.

The next time we go to NZ, will definitely plan to catch a match.

The All Blacks often make us wonder - if a country with a tiny population of 3m like NZ can produce international champs in a game like Rugby, why can't Sgp produce international champs in at least one sport?

[toddles]

Attolia:

Always21:

I encountered that 'hey, speaks english, you are in Australia.'

I was talking to a close friend in the bus, when the lady opposite me stared at me and said that. I don't think that was very nice of her.
That was ten years ago, that is why migrating overseas was a no no.

I think generally most people are great, but I guess sometimes people can get frustrated when they're walking down the road and can't understand a word anyone is saying. And fair enough. Some places are truly Little Asias, and you could probably play 'count the white person'. I guess in that sense it's unnerving to see your city change and many immigrants arriving in a relatively short space of time. There was an interesting article in the NZ Herald last year about 'should all signage have English words on them?' like in Asian restaurants and stuff, and the consensus was 'no, keep the ethnic writing,' but an overwhelming number of Kiwis commented that they didn't feel welcome in those establishments because there's nary an English word to be seen -- the menus are in Chinese, the restaurant's name is in Chinese, the waiters don't speak English, and I can understand how they could feel resentful about things like that.

Haha, Vancouver is like that. There are whole massive Asian malls where you don't have to speak a word of English to get around / spend a day shopping.

I'm surprised that the NZ restaurants don't have English words - I thought in the interest of business they would have English.