Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:04:50 GMT

toddles — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:04:50 GMT

Haiz, the problem with emphasising so much on productivity is that it just makes me think longer working hours…

of course it’s easy to aim for ‘working smart’ and harnessing technology to do the same amt of work in less hours, but in our context, it’s more likely to mean squeezing more juice out of the already squashed fruit (us), and the greatest tragedy / casualty is our family life / our time spent with kids.

Like that how to have more children? What’s the point of having more children and spending more time in the office? Higher chance of nurturing yet another generation with behavioural problems borne out of neglect by parents.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:26:23 GMT

Parent1 — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:26:23 GMT

Associated Foreign Press.

Sunday March 14, 11:46 AM.
Door narrows for foreign workers in Singapore

Construction workers from Bangladesh, hotel staff from the Philippines, waitresses from China, shipyard welders from Myanmar, technology professionals from India -- Singapore has them all. For years the rich but worker-starved city-state, built by mainly Chinese immigrants, had rolled out the welcome mat for foreigners, whose numbers rose drastically during the economic boom from 2004-2007.

But with one in three of the five million people living on the tiny island now a foreigner and citizens complaining about competition for jobs, housing and medical care, the government is taking a fresh look at its open-door policy With the grumbling getting louder and general elections expected to be called before they are due in 2012, the government has unveiled measures to reduce reliance on foreigners and assure citizens they remain the priority.

\"There are social and physical limits to how many more we can absorb,\" Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam told parliament in February. He said the government will make it costlier for companies to hire foreigners by raising the levies they must pay for every non-Singaporean or non-resident they hire. The government also earmarked 5.5 billion Singapore dollars (3.9 billion US) over the next five years to upgrade Singaporean workers' skills to boost their productivity, make them more competitive and raise incomes. It imposed measures to cool down rising home prices, also blamed on foreigners buying into the property market, and pledged it will further tighten the process of accepting permanent residents and new citizens.

Of Singapore's population of nearly five million last year, 533,200 were permanent residents and 1.25 million were foreigners on employment passes, along with their families, official statistics show. \"I think it is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues in Singapore today,\" political commentator Seah Chiang Nee told AFP. Economist Song Seng Wun of CIMB-GK Research said that apart from helping local companies rise up the value chain, the new measures will also address potential election issues. Singapore's last elections, held in 2006, saw the ruling People's Action Party returned to power for six years, continuing its uninterrupted rule over the island since 1959. \"The government has to be seen doing something in areas that are potential flashpoints,\" Song said.

Disenchantment over foreign workers gained momentum during a severe economic slump that began in the third quarter of 2008, when trade-reliant Singapore became the first Asian economy to slip into recession. Drastic job and salary cuts were implemented, affecting many white-collar workers. In coffee shops, Internet forums, letters to newspapers and sessions with members of parliament, citizens became more vocal about the rapidly growing numbers of foreigners in their ranks.

The most common complaint is that Singaporeans are losing jobs to foreigners who are willing to accept much lower salaries. \"Foreigners are a damn pain in the butt. I seriously wonder if they are here to work or just snatch jobs from our locals,\" said one posting on the popular online forum sammyboy.com. \"The country is fast becoming an unfamiliar place to many Singaporeans. The sense of national pride is disappearing by the day,\" said a posting by Nur Muhammad on The Online Citizen. Seah, who runs the political website http://www.littlespeck.com, said much of the resentment comes from Singaporeans who have to compete directly with foreign engineers, accountants, hotel managers and IT professionals. \"Most Singaporeans do not feel angry against low-skilled foreign workers... It is more aimed at those who come in as white collar workers and get the jobs that Singaporeans can do,\" he said.

Citizens have also complained about having to share space in crowded trains with a large number of foreigners, or compete with them for places in government schools and public housing. Foreign labourers are accused of loitering, spitting in public and leaving litter behind. Another sore point for locals is dealing with waitresses and sales people who can hardly understand English. Some employers have argued they do not hire Singaporeans for certain jobs because locals are choosy and often lack the natural social and communication skills in service professions like manning hotel front desks.

In some ways, Singapore is a victim of its own success. A campaign in the 1970s for families to have only two children was so effective that the country is now well below the 60,000 babies needed per year just to naturally replace the resident population. Efforts to reverse the trend have failed as increasingly affluent couples marry at a later age and opt for just one child or none at all. Officials, economists and business executives admit that with Singaporeans procreating less, the country will need foreign workers in the long term, while making sure citizens' interests are addressed.

Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who advises the cabinet of his son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said in January that \"we've grown in the last five years by just importing labour.\" \"Now, the people feel uncomfortable, there are too many foreigners,\" Lee said. \"The answer is simple: We check the flow of foreigners, raise your productivity, do the job better, so that instead of two workers, eventually you'll do it with one worker, like the Japanese do.\"

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:37:17 GMT

Busymom — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:37:17 GMT

:goodpost: :goodpost: , toddles.

Fully agree that the challenge is on getting our very own to recognise that this is home.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:58:24 GMT

toddles — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:58:24 GMT

Parent1:
The Star

By SEAH CHIANG NEE
cnseah05@hotmail.com

Some 26,100 Singaporeans have applied for economic visa, for skilled workers and business class, Canada announced. The family category is excluded, but is estimated to number another 40,000.

About 150,000 Singaporeans are today studying or living overseas, according to officials.

Last year, 2,703 Singaporeans emigrated to Australia, and about 1,000 each to Canada and the US, according to news reports. More than 10,000 Singaporeans are living in Hong Kong.

This reporter who used to work with CNA leaves out facts in her attempt to write this article with a decided slant.

These are the numbers of people who have emigrated, but what of those who have returned? And I would posit that the number is not insignificant. I personally know of people who have migrated to Aussie land-of-dreams only to face high taxes, discrimination (of the \"go home now!\" variety, much more explicit than in sgp where at most they are rumblings and murmurings - then again singaporeans complain abt everything no?)

Read Simon Tay's City of Small Blessings for a window into why those who leave, return.

In this globalised world, we should not stop our youth from studying and working overseas. the challenge is for them to recognise that this is home. this is where our roots are. this is where we are citizens who will not be treated as second class, or outsiders. this is where we get the best food (the best argument for me to stay actually) at the best price.

Parent1:
The Star
By SEAH CHIANG NEE
cnseah05@hotmail.com
A New Zealand government message beamed here says: “We are looking for young Singaporeans interested in the challenge, experiences and fun of living in a country that offers you brilliant work and study experiences plus a relaxed lifestyle!”

It offers people a nine-to-five working day, four weeks of paid leave a year, and cheaper housing, things that are attractive to people here.

It is not alone. Canada has also been head-hunting Singaporeans with some success.

this conveniently leaves out the high taxes that you all also be paying for that relaxed lifestyle.

some have written to forum pages (Straits Times) to say that they feel that the taxes are a fair trade-off for the better quality of life. They have made an informed decision, so good for them. but the jury will be out, until the day they die, on whether they remain in their new country of adoption, and whether they believe on their death bed that they made the right decision after all.

For me, I have studied and worked abroad, and am open to working abroad in future. but ultimately, Singapore will always be home.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:38:00 GMT

Parent1 — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:38:00 GMT

The Star

Saturday March 27, 2010
4,500 - and still counting
INSIGHT: DOWN SOUTH
By SEAH CHIANG NEE
cnseah05@hotmail.com

Even as Singapore continues to attract expatriates from all over the world, its home-grown skilled professionals and graduates are leaving for bigger nations at a worrying rate.

WHILE Singapore is busy attracting talents from abroad, some 4,500 of its own better-educated citizens may be heading for New Zealand.

This is the other side of the immigration coin that is costing Singapore more dearly in skill losses than larger nations that are losing talents to it.

In a period of just six weeks, New Zealand has succeeded in luring this large number of Singaporeans to sign up to work or settle down there.

Such a large number has come as a surprise for two reasons. One is that the New Zealand is not even a top choice and, secondly, Singapore is said to be recovering from the economic crisis.

“Yet it has got 4,500 Singaporeans to sign up. Imagine what the response would have been had it been offered by Australia or Britain?” a company executive commented.

The under-populated Pacific country with more sheep than people had launched a global drive in January to attract more foreigners to work, study or settle down there.

Between end-January and mid-March, some 4,500 Singaporeans had registered – a whooping 78% of the total world responses. This is roughly 12% of the 39,000 babies born here annually.

It does not necessarily mean that all will go, let alone be given PR there, but even if the majority does, the loss to this small city will be substantial.

The outflow of people has long upset leaders like its founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, who once openly wept when he spoke about the subject.

Some 1,000 of Singapore’s highly-educated youths are giving up their citizenship every year to settle elsewhere.

In addition, about 1,000 Singaporeans a month have been applying for a Certificate of No Criminal Conviction, which is a prerequisite to getting PR overseas.

In 2002, Singapore was ranked as having the second highest migration rate in the world (next to East Timor) – 26.11 migrants per 1,000 citizens.

This would have meant that some 20,640 of its 3 million people were emigrating at the time, an informed source estimated.

(As a percentage this figure would have dropped significantly because of the large foreign intake pushing the population to five million.)

While hundreds of thousands of foreigners are making a beeline for Singapore – Southeast Asia’s richest city – an opposite flow is also happening.

It is losing its skilled professionals and graduates – a declining force that has undergone military training to defend the nation – to bigger nations at a worrying rate.

The New Zealand blow is particularly heavy because, until now, it has relatively limited appeal for Singaporeans compared with Australia, Britain, Canada or the US.

Its economic growth is lower and so are job opportunities, yet we are facing a possible deluge.

For example, only 114 Singaporeans went as permanent residency (PR), and 245 had permits to work in New Zealand last year. Total PRs in the past 10 years was 2,484.

For many years, the republic has been trumpeting its success in attracting skilled foreigners.

Less heralded compared to its immigration success is its own brain drain.

As I was writing this, a news headline read: “Singapore retains its top spot for Asian expats to live in.”

It is apparently a game others are playing just as effectively.

A New Zealand government message beamed here says: “We are looking for young Singaporeans interested in the challenge, experiences and fun of living in a country that offers you brilliant work and study experiences plus a relaxed lifestyle!”

It offers people a nine-to-five working day, four weeks of paid leave a year, and cheaper housing, things that are attractive to people here.

It is not alone. Canada has also been head-hunting Singaporeans with some success.

Some 26,100 Singaporeans have applied for economic visa, for skilled workers and business class, Canada announced. The family category is excluded, but is estimated to number another 40,000.

About 150,000 Singaporeans are today studying or living overseas, according to officials.

Last year, 2,703 Singaporeans emigrated to Australia, and about 1,000 each to Canada and the US, according to news reports. More than 10,000 Singaporeans are living in Hong Kong.

The future can expect no let-down. Almost one in four top students in Singapore end up working overseas, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

A recent survey of teenagers said 53% would want to move abroad if they had the chance.

There is hardly a middle class family that does not know someone who has emigrated.

One blogger wrote recently: “I have had friends leaving Singapore over the years but last week was the first time I had to say farewell to two who are going off for good – one for New Zealand, the other for Australia.”

Some Malaysians are puzzled by this phenomenon. “Singapore is one of the most competitive economies in the world and it strives constantly to be a great global city with gleaming towers ...,” one said.

“It is a great city to work in and is attracting expatriates from all over the globe,” he said.

“Yet many of its own youths are abandoning it.”

Critics say there are several reasons for the exodus, including high stress level, a high cost of living (one of the world’s 10 most expensive cities), over-crowdedness and too much government control.

Singapore is losing the flower of its youth. Many who are seeking opportunities abroad are young people.

“Some of my young friends have left.

“They go early because they fear that once they hit 40, their chances of being accepted by a developed country may drop,” a surfer said.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:07:12 GMT

tamarind — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:07:12 GMT

Dear Cheval,

You are wrong about me again. I am not implying anything like that. I was a PR until I was 8 years old. Please do not imagine that there is any prejudices.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:16:35 GMT

Cheval — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:16:35 GMT

Dear tamarind,

If I understand you correctly, you are implying \"PR = quitter at wartime\". I would recommend you an emotional song by the French poet and music master Léo Ferré: L'affiche rouge (The Red Poster). It's based on a poem by Aragon, one of the greatest poets in French history. The poem is about the famous Resistant group Manouchian during the 2nd WW, composed of foreigners and Jews fighting against the German Nazis, arrested and executed by the Nazis and French Collaborators.

Here is the Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27affiche_rouge_%28Poem%29

Here is another translation with some background knowledge:
http://arewelostintranslation.blogspot.com/2010/01/louis-aragon-translation-of-red-poster.html

Here is the song on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HLB_EVtJK4

Have a nice weekend.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:59:10 GMT

tamarind — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 23:59:10 GMT

Blobbi:
Chill, dearies. :grphug:

This is so OT, I have no excuse. Anyway, here goes:

For many years, I worked in a half-team where out of 8 members based in Singapore, only 2 of us were Singaporeans (the other half of the team was in New York). Our roving boss was American. Including us, there were 2 Indian nationals, 1 Korean, 1 Aussie, 1 Chinese national. We could see the strengths and weaknesses of our various nationalities, and boy was it fun taking potshots at the differences. Everything was done respectfully; we all took it in a c'est la vie kind of way - like \"what to do, we were brought up this way what\". Our American boss was shocked because, he declared, in the US, you can get sued just for calling someone fat, not to mention bringing up racial differences. But in Singapore, because the differences are so obvious in a multiracial society, we don't have to pretend we can't see.

The key for getting along was and is mutual respect and trust. But when one group keeps slamming another group for imagined prejudices against themselves (even as they write that they \"don't feel it on a personal basis\"), for \"the discriminatory policies of the governement\" when, if we rub out eyes and take a look out the window, this place is teeming with foreigners, then we locals get resentful. Here we are, being very nice hosts, and our guests keep complaining that in other countries, the food is nicer. Or why their portion is one ikan bilis less. After a while, the host's smiling face will show some strain, like what's happening at the tail end of this thread. Then one more complaint, whether there is merit or not, is unlikely to be taken seriously.

I want to emphasize - mutual respect and trust. We're very genial hosts. When we cook and you eat, we don't mind constructive criticism cos we want to be better cooks. If you give objective examples like the differential in university fees between locals and PRs, that's clear for all to see. It's definitely food for thought. Even then, it's practically loose change, so please don't lose sleep over that. Clean air, high level of personal safety, competitive educational structure, efficient public services, good employment opportunities are available to all here - no extra charge of course. But if you compare us unfavourably with free university education in a debt ridden, high tax country when much of the world has given up that crazy, unsustainable policy, then that's spitting in our face. All we're asking for is ... some consideration.

Blobbi,
Thanks for writing this excellent post.

Also thanks to outsider for posting it in this thread, it is definitely relevant here.

I have given up reading this thread, because whatever I said seem to be prone to misinterpretation.

I just want to say that, 2 nights ago, at about 4am, I was woken up by very loud explosions, while sleeping at home. The explosions continued for about 5 mins. I was shocked, thinking that there was an attack, and could not continue to sleep. I went over to talk to my mother. She told me it was just an SAF exercise in Tuas. It had been happening over the past few nights, but probably not as loud so I did not notice.

I guess I am one very paranoid mommy, who worries about what will happen to my kids in times of war and disaster. That is all I have been thinking as I wrote my posts in this thread, and I mean nothing else.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:18:12 GMT

corneyAmber — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:18:12 GMT

insider:
Personally, I despise those who took up the PSC scholarship and then broke the bonds later, esp those from richer families.

The 'objectives' of the scholarship is clear, whether it is right or wrong, that it is offered to students who have the intention to serve the nation. If the child or his parents are unsure of the child's future career interest and development at the point of application, then he should not take it up and probably should go and apply something else in order not to deprive another one who will serve the nation but was kicked out coz of this person who takes it but breaks it later.

There are various types of scholarships available in the market and they have different objectives and so each should pursue accordingly. It is plain selfishness to take and then break. How can one wants all the prestige without having to pay a price? If the child really regrets later, so be it and pays and suffers for the wrong decision made. Scholarship sponsors are also taking risks when they meet such students who change their minds later and penalty is definitely necessary or else all hell may break loose.

The author of the article is commendable that he did not take up the scholarship and thereby did not waste our resources as he is uncertain of his future career interest and that gave another someone a chance to have it and serve the nation accordingly.

Yes the author of this article is respectable in his thoughts about bond-breaking. :salute: Unfortunately, I had experience with one PR who was so proud to share with us how he broke his bond immediately after his studies. :roll: It so happened that he was a PR but I despised anyone who knew he would break a bond to proceed with one.

As for no-strings-attached scholarships, think that has to come from a philanthropist fund. Also human nature is such that when there is no commitment they may not produce results.

Also, if such kind of funding is provided, I am thinking aloud if I should offer anyone such a funding, I would set the conditions for the child to achieve the milestones before the money can be reimbursed to ensure that the money is spent wisely on kids who matter to ensure success for themselves. In other words, the child may have to spend their own money first, produce the results before they can get a claim. For such a platform, the beneficiary will end up to be the richer kids who can afford to do that. And if they are rich enough, why need such funding?

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:18:24 GMT

Cheval — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:18:24 GMT

csc:
I don't think bond-breaking was the issue that Cheval was driving at.

You are right.

csc:
If I did not read her wrongly, she is advocating scholarships without strings attached.
:lol:

It's not a question of bond. The problem is whether it is good that the government attracts all the smartest kids into civil service. To me , the scholars should be given more freedom to study what they are interested in and allow them to work in the areas accordingly after their return if they wish. Their talents would be made full use. All this without breaking the bond: they can work in government controlled organizations/companies for example. As brilliant as the boy is, he is still uncertain about what is his passion. So it is not quite good to fix a rigid career plan for the kids too early.

Hehe, I am father of 2 kids, leh. French has a small advantage over English: you see easily the gender of the speaker.
Example:
He is beautiful --> Il est beau
She is beautiful --> Elle est belle

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:05:41 GMT

minnie2004 — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:05:41 GMT

outsider:
Blobbi:
The key for getting along was and is mutual respect and trust. But when one group keeps slamming another group for imagined prejudices against themselves (even as they write that they \"don't feel it on a personal basis\"), for \"the discriminatory policies of the governement\" when, if we rub out eyes and take a look out the window, this place is teeming with foreigners, then we locals get resentful. Here we are, being very nice hosts, and our guests keep complaining that in other countries, the food is nicer. Or why their portion is one ikan bilis less. After a while, the host's smiling face will show some strain, like what's happening at the tail end of this thread. Then one more complaint, whether there is merit or not, is unlikely to be taken seriously.
It's not OT here

-- response deleted --
After seeing the overwhelming response from the other thread where the above post was taken from, it became crystal clear to me what the stance of majority forumers here is and I've decided it's more appropriate for me to remain silent on this issue.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:31:44 GMT

tree nymph — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:31:44 GMT

Cheval:
I was so confusing, sorry!

I mean \"Why do we care so much?\", in fact.

Cheval,
I answer to your \"Why do we care so much?\" is still We Care. It took lots of efforts to even get us a placing on that list. And this is also how we can attract foreign talent to set up home here. You are one.

I too shares the same opinion as Insider. The boy is unsure what he wants in the future, thus he turned down the PSC scholarship. Whether PSC should offer no-strings-attached scholarships is really something the govt can think about...

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:28:05 GMT

csc — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:28:05 GMT

I don't think bond-breaking was the issue that Cheval was driving at.

If I did not read her wrongly, she is advocating scholarships without strings attached.
:lol:

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:06:04 GMT

Cheval — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:06:04 GMT

csc:
Sorry...I should be the one :?

\"Why cares?\" Got such sentence structure meh?

No wonder we are confused! :? Thot it's a typo error.

You mean, \" Why do we care so much?\" :?

You are beginning to sound rather 'singaporean\" now!

I was so confusing, sorry!

I mean \"Why do we care so much?\", in fact.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:56:15 GMT

csc — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:56:15 GMT

Sorry...I should be the one :?

\"Why cares?\" Got such sentence structure meh?

No wonder we are confused! :? Thot it's a typo error.

You mean, \" Why do we care so much?\" :?

You are beginning to sound rather 'singaporean\" now!

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:48:55 GMT

Cheval — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:48:55 GMT

Hello, guys.

I was asking \"Why cares?\" or more precisely \"Why cares much?\", but you reply \"I care\". I get confused by you. :?

Actually, I meant to say is what is achieved is past and most important is to get better, including looking back at serious issues that can be further improved. We won't sleep on our (permitted?) achievements, will we?

In the link I gave, the boy does raise some pertinent issues, ignored until now by the government and to a big extent by parents as well. It is even not a question of 'right' or 'wrong'; each thing has its context, in time and in space. It's that we come to a point that some adjustment would be needed, for the benefits of the Nation and full personal development of our next generation. And these two things are not necessarily in conflict.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:52:32 GMT

corneyAmber — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:52:32 GMT

csc:
You mean to say \"Who cares?\" Am I right?

Well, as a true-blue Singaporean, I do.

And yes, I am proud of that and yes, I do agree with the survey no matter what others may say...

I love the air most , at least I can breathe more easily here than in the other Asian cities. :lol:

I care too because when I need to stay in the different countries in Asia as expats, I know we can request for \"hardship\" allowance... bwaaaaah...

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:39:42 GMT

csc — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:39:42 GMT

Cheval:
Sorry, why cares? I came across the following, interesting to read:

http://www.darkmirage.com/2009/11/17/why-i-did-not-accept-my-psc-scholarship-offer

You mean to say \"Who cares?\" Am I right?

Well, as a true-blue Singaporean, I do.

And yes, I am proud of that and yes, I do agree with the survey no matter what others may say...

I love the air most , at least I can breathe more easily here than in the other Asian cities. :lol:

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:30:05 GMT

tree nymph — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:30:05 GMT

Cheval:

tree nymph:
Singapore Top City for Asian Expats
S'pore retains its top spot for the 11th year running as the best city for Asian expats to live in

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20100324/tap-529-singapore-offers-best-living-env-231650b.html
Sorry, why cares? I came across the following, interesting to read:
http://www.darkmirage.com/2009/11/17/why-i-did-not-accept-my-psc-scholarship-offer

Cheval,
We care. Because we are proud of what we are TODAY. Else you won't be here now, right?

As for the blog, I respect his decision and understand where he is coming from. AND i'm proud of him for being mature and his good writing.

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:14:12 GMT

autumnbronze — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:14:12 GMT

outsider:
Blobbi:
Chill, dearies. :grphug:

This is so OT, I have no excuse. Anyway, here goes:

For many years, I worked in a half-team where out of 8 members based in Singapore, only 2 of us were Singaporeans (the other half of the team was in New York). Our roving boss was American. Including us, there were 2 Indian nationals, 1 Korean, 1 Aussie, 1 Chinese national. We could see the strengths and weaknesses of our various nationalities, and boy was it fun taking potshots at the differences. Everything was done respectfully; we all took it in a c'est la vie kind of way - like \"what to do, we were brought up this way what\". Our American boss was shocked because, he declared, in the US, you can get sued just for calling someone fat, not to mention bringing up racial differences. But in Singapore, because the differences are so obvious in a multiracial society, we don't have to pretend we can't see.

The key for getting along was and is mutual respect and trust. But when one group keeps slamming another group for imagined prejudices against themselves (even as they write that they \"don't feel it on a personal basis\"), for \"the discriminatory policies of the governement\" when, if we rub out eyes and take a look out the window, this place is teeming with foreigners, then we locals get resentful. Here we are, being very nice hosts, and our guests keep complaining that in other countries, the food is nicer. Or why their portion is one ikan bilis less. After a while, the host's smiling face will show some strain, like what's happening at the tail end of this thread. Then one more complaint, whether there is merit or not, is unlikely to be taken seriously.

I want to emphasize - mutual respect and trust. We're very genial hosts. When we cook and you eat, we don't mind constructive criticism cos we want to be better cooks. If you give objective examples like the differential in university fees between locals and PRs, that's clear for all to see. It's definitely food for thought. Even then, it's practically loose change, so please don't lose sleep over that. Clean air, high level of personal safety, competitive educational structure, efficient public services, good employment opportunities are available to all here - no extra charge of course. But if you compare us unfavourably with free university education in a debt ridden, high tax country when much of the world has given up that crazy, unsustainable policy, then that's spitting in our face. All we're asking for is ... some consideration.

It's not OT here

Alamak deja vu lah ... read this somewhere just some mins back leh ....

Yup, def not OT here :lol:

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:09:08 GMT

csc — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:09:08 GMT

outsider:
Blobbi:
Chill, dearies. :grphug:

This is so OT, I have no excuse. Anyway, here goes:

For many years, I worked in a half-team where out of 8 members based in Singapore, only 2 of us were Singaporeans (the other half of the team was in New York). Our roving boss was American. Including us, there were 2 Indian nationals, 1 Korean, 1 Aussie, 1 Chinese national. We could see the strengths and weaknesses of our various nationalities, and boy was it fun taking potshots at the differences. Everything was done respectfully; we all took it in a c'est la vie kind of way - like \"what to do, we were brought up this way what\". Our American boss was shocked because, he declared, in the US, you can get sued just for calling someone fat, not to mention bringing up racial differences. But in Singapore, because the differences are so obvious in a multiracial society, we don't have to pretend we can't see.

The key for getting along was and is mutual respect and trust. But when one group keeps slamming another group for imagined prejudices against themselves (even as they write that they \"don't feel it on a personal basis\"), for \"the discriminatory policies of the governement\" when, if we rub out eyes and take a look out the window, this place is teeming with foreigners, then we locals get resentful. Here we are, being very nice hosts, and our guests keep complaining that in other countries, the food is nicer. Or why their portion is one ikan bilis less. After a while, the host's smiling face will show some strain, like what's happening at the tail end of this thread. Then one more complaint, whether there is merit or not, is unlikely to be taken seriously.

I want to emphasize - mutual respect and trust. We're very genial hosts. When we cook and you eat, we don't mind constructive criticism cos we want to be better cooks. If you give objective examples like the differential in university fees between locals and PRs, that's clear for all to see. It's definitely food for thought. Even then, it's practically loose change, so please don't lose sleep over that. Clean air, high level of personal safety, competitive educational structure, efficient public services, good employment opportunities are available to all here - no extra charge of course. But if you compare us unfavourably with free university education in a debt ridden, high tax country when much of the world has given up that crazy, unsustainable policy, then that's spitting in our face. All we're asking for is ... some consideration.

It's not OT here

Thanks Blobbi for that. I like the last sentence best! :lol:

In this world, where got free lunch wan ??

And thanks, outsider for moving the post here!

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:54:29 GMT

outsider — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:54:29 GMT

Blobbi:
Chill, dearies. :grphug:

This is so OT, I have no excuse. Anyway, here goes:

For many years, I worked in a half-team where out of 8 members based in Singapore, only 2 of us were Singaporeans (the other half of the team was in New York). Our roving boss was American. Including us, there were 2 Indian nationals, 1 Korean, 1 Aussie, 1 Chinese national. We could see the strengths and weaknesses of our various nationalities, and boy was it fun taking potshots at the differences. Everything was done respectfully; we all took it in a c'est la vie kind of way - like \"what to do, we were brought up this way what\". Our American boss was shocked because, he declared, in the US, you can get sued just for calling someone fat, not to mention bringing up racial differences. But in Singapore, because the differences are so obvious in a multiracial society, we don't have to pretend we can't see.

The key for getting along was and is mutual respect and trust. But when one group keeps slamming another group for imagined prejudices against themselves (even as they write that they \"don't feel it on a personal basis\"), for \"the discriminatory policies of the governement\" when, if we rub out eyes and take a look out the window, this place is teeming with foreigners, then we locals get resentful. Here we are, being very nice hosts, and our guests keep complaining that in other countries, the food is nicer. Or why their portion is one ikan bilis less. After a while, the host's smiling face will show some strain, like what's happening at the tail end of this thread. Then one more complaint, whether there is merit or not, is unlikely to be taken seriously.

I want to emphasize - mutual respect and trust. We're very genial hosts. When we cook and you eat, we don't mind constructive criticism cos we want to be better cooks. If you give objective examples like the differential in university fees between locals and PRs, that's clear for all to see. It's definitely food for thought. Even then, it's practically loose change, so please don't lose sleep over that. Clean air, high level of personal safety, competitive educational structure, efficient public services, good employment opportunities are available to all here - no extra charge of course. But if you compare us unfavourably with free university education in a debt ridden, high tax country when much of the world has given up that crazy, unsustainable policy, then that's spitting in our face. All we're asking for is ... some consideration.

It's not OT here

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:19:52 GMT

Cheval — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:19:52 GMT

gajidouma:
haha, sure Minie. Needless to say, am very proud of being a Chinese myself. Plus speaking mandarin is truly an asset nowadays and we don't have to deny that either. :lol:

Regarding the hungry-for-success sentiments in China, well my observation is it may be missing among some youngsters, but maybe not so with pushing parents who are \"hungry\" for their only child to succeed.

Good observation. My son is under huge pressure for his PSLE this year, from his mum and himself. That's not healthy at all.

tree nymph:
Singapore Top City for Asian Expats
S'pore retains its top spot for the 11th year running as the best city for Asian expats to live in

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20100324/tap-529-singapore-offers-best-living-env-231650b.html

Sorry, why cares? I came across the following, interesting to read:
http://www.darkmirage.com/2009/11/17/why-i-did-not-accept-my-psc-scholarship-offer

Reply to Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:16:50 GMT

Cheval — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:16:50 GMT

Busymom:
Cheval:

That is also why whenever possible, I always recommend my Singaporean friends to send their kids to France. They just \"lose\" one year to learn the language. If one does not choose Paris or Aix-en-Provence, living cost is not that high.
Is it sufficient to take just 1 year to learn the language? Wouldn't everything that is taught in class be conducted in French? :?

Minnie's answer below is right. When you have no way to escape, you can do everything. The same thing for kids from China: they have to learn English as quickly as possible.

Busymom:
French just like to be complicated in everything that they do. :lol:

The \"Classe preparatoire\" is free, is it not? But Grandes ecoles is not free as you said. Public universities are free, but apparently, the good ones are very difficult to get in. There is now a third system, not sure if you have heard. I am not sure what it is called, but seems that you do not need to do the 2 years of \"Classe preparatoire\" to get into this, but the duration of the whole course would be like 4-5 years instead of 3 years in a university. This one is not free either.

Since I've never attended classe prepa myself, I just checked some Internet sites. Here you are: the majority of Grandes ecoles and classes prepa are public, so they are free. Current registration fee is 500 euros/year. By the way, student medical insurance is 200- euros/year.

French universities are 4 years, not 3 years. The Grandes ecoles are 3 years + 2 years of classes prepa, 5 years altogether.

toddles:
Cheval:
In addition the language problem, I am afraid the A-level credits might not be recognized, contrary to universities in US or UK, which is not favorable to those with good A-level score. The latter can easily save 1 year if they study in UK or US.
A-level credits are recognised. PSC scholars are usually sent to Ecole Polytechnique and usually only need one year of language studies before they take exams in French.

Thanks for the info. But directly to Polytechnique without having to attend classes prepa and pass the \"concours\" (exams)? Somewhat surprising to me.