Zeit\" post_id=\"2134529\" time=\"1717294535\" user_id=\"156710:

His 小编 has picked a more imposing shot to post on his FB this morning:

https://postimg.cc/vcMzX62M

You bet! I do notice every single darn detail which they post on FB. I care a lot about Singapore's image as a first world global soft power so I expect this bunch of Istana folks to be properly projecting and conjuring up our positive image. A lot of kaypoh foreign media do comb and scrub our leaders' social media. Some governments even copied what they saw on LHL's FB. I don't wish to name them.

Vivian does a fantastic job with his IG shorts. Everything Vivian posts looks good to me. Sometimes, SM's press sec would post horrible images that show messy cables and wires underneath the stately Istana furniture. It's an eyesore to me. SM Lee also loves to post candid iPhone photos of his constituents that sometimes don't look that great to the international audience...

The PM's FB or IG is like a look-book or prospectus that STB and EDB publish to lure tourists and investors to SG. I expect them to do a better job by choosing professionally taken photos.

Mdm Loo is an enigma. A full page written on Mrs Tharman's childhood stories and biracial love story but nothing on Loo. I asked all my next of kins who are running family office and/or working in private banking & wealth mgmt. Little is known about her. South Cal univ, that we know. Which bank I also know. YMCA board with Jo Teo's hubby, we know. But which sec - JC? I suspect she was an ex-Malaysian.

And I also suspect she had plastic surgery as she had prominent angular jaws and 内双 lids previously (see that photo she took at the zoo and those Tjin Lee's wedding photos). Now she looks like a KD actress with a defined chin and slightly higher nose bridge.

But minor plastic surgery and dental veneers are acceptable for me. In fact, I welcome all office holders, young and old, who are addicted to selfies and wefies to undergo some form of minor facelift!

I can't wait to look at pretty First Ladies. Mrs Tharman is a let down (by Jap standards). Now I've Mrs Wong to admire. Previously, I was only admiring Mrs Balakrishnan. In this time and age when all online videos and images are high-def, I expect them to be more considerate to our eyes. Talk so much about AI and don't use AI to clean up their faces? :slapshead:

You’re so right. Image does play an impt part for this & future generations tho it’s only skin deep for the older generations. The population generally love the clean & savvy look of this new 1st lady & OM, having put the past strict looking PM & dowdy/vocal ex-1st lady.

Give LW s’time after settling in & work on the baton he just rec’d. Time is precious to prepare himself connecting with other States Leaders & coming lection? I’m not in a hurry for his image as he’s starting off in not a bad position.

Zeit\" post_id=\"2134526\" time=\"1717258819\" user_id=\"156710:

Big Shoes to Fill? \"板凳坐三分之一的人\"

Been 2 weeks. This week is particularly busy cos of Shangrila Dialogue. Looking at LW's photos he posted on his FB with different leaders, I cannot help but notice he does not sit comfortably like LHL or like a BOSS, for that matter. His body language is that of a servant, a \"kah kia\". He is not quite in his role yet, it seems to me.

What is \"板凳坐三分之一的人\"? This is a viral phrase in Taiwan. It started with the late President Lee Teng-hui having this \"natural habit\" of sitting 1/3 of his chair whenever he met his BOSS, President Chiang Ching-kuo. Thereafter, many KMT folks would mock certain DPP leaders, especially Tsai Ing-wen, for not sitting fully on their sofa or chair whenever they meet with foreign dignitaries or the American daddy. Taiwan media would also dig up past year photos of candidates who did not have their backs comfortably and confidently leaning against the back of the chair. 屁股没坐满 means you are subordinate to that person sitting beside or opp you.

LW is seldom sitting fully on his Istana chairs too. Is it because his legs are too short? After all, he is shorter than LHL, GCT and LKY, and is born with a long torso. LOL! But LHL's posture is atrocious as well. He was always leaning on one side of his back like a spineless worm and crossing his legs when the visitors are not.
Or is it because he isn't psychologically at ease sitting on that chair which was previously sat on by his former BOSS?
Or is it because he feels small and young when facing leaders of bigger nations?

Because if the host doesn't sit properly like a boss, and sits like an interpreter or PPS, then the visitor would be pai say and subconsciously sit at the edge of the chair, leaning forward with you too! Look at Prabowo! He is falling off the chair.

https://postimg.cc/zbbRfLHM

https://postimg.cc/V50jfhj6

https://postimg.cc/mzv11bQr

https://postimg.cc/SJpzyxST

https://postimg.cc/JHjDb9q5

https://postimg.cc/mh9HfHs1

If the new PM's legs are too short, then custom-made a new pair of chairs for LW lah!

It’s amazing you noticed these small body language signals.

I was in JB & many locals praising us for having LW. They hv children living & working in SG and they feel he’s going to be much better than LHL, whom they felt was too stiff & not as warm as LW. They feel LW will be more engaging for the ppl based on his not so atas bkgrd. They liked it that he’s not only capable but hv a capable wife too. He’s got both the softskills & good grasp of the know-how to run our economy and country’s needs.

LHL was very arrogant when he started out & he knows what to do having the benefit of LKY’s modelling as his father & sponsor. He was not listening to the ppl & very focussed. But he settled & matured & became more endearing to the residents the decade towards his retirement. Hence, do much accolades.

Similarly, LKY had been focussed & wrecked quite a few ppl’s lives when he look at the big picture to manage the country & didn’t hv the bandwidth to look into small needs of the ppl. When he passed, Singaporeans & the world morn & rmbr how he brought us to world class in such a short time. Even world leaders send us condolences for loosing a great founding father.

The past ruby-like way of dashing to score goals cannot attract the new generations of softies who hv not faced communism & the hard knocks of a 3rd world country, handed over fr the British rule & with no resources to Jack the economy up.

Let him adjust himself. Cut him some slag for he’s only just began. He’ll settle in & do well.

starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"2134510\" time=\"1717216649\" user_id=\"14025:

My late mum worked as a cleaner at many places.
My dad worked as a cleaner when he was young.
Hence i understood the prejudice faced by cleaners.
They are usually being looked down upon. We need cleaners else who will sweep the common areas, wash the public toilets, clean the bus stop etc.
Hence there is this Progressive Wage Model to assist them to earn a better income.

My office has a cleaner. She often buys me breakfast though I dont really hv the habit to eat it. In return, i make an effort to save a packet of lunch (yes, my workplace has lunch) whenever possible for her bec i knew by the time she cleaned to my office, it is close to lunch time.

Whenever I see her, she reminds me of my mum who told me some office people treated her nicely with respect. Others couldnt be bothered or even bullied her. I just hope that all treat each other with respect.

A cleaner is somebody's mum or dad. Whatever reasons they do this job dont matter, we hv to acknowledge we cant do w/o them.

Agree. I’ve always taken a stand to treat everyone with due respect & try to stand up for those mistreated or bullied. When DH first got yo know me, he thot I was meddling but realized I stand up for ppl w/o feeling embarrassment even with those in authority.

They’re possibly our own mothers, aunties or someone related somehow - fellow human. Similarly, behind every policy & success of SG, we hv those working hard behind the scene to analyse & recommend fact-based directions for our fellow S’poreans whether in housing, tpt or workplace safety.

I always admire those architects, those who manage our reserves & economy to know how to pitch our exchange rates, etc. Policymakers depend on their diligence. A cleaner or tea lady presents themselves to provide that excellent warm cuppa of comfort & hygiene environment for all of us to work in.

No matter what, I truly appreciate how these cleanliness had helped us S’poreans to be thankful & proud we’re not living in unhygienic dumps. I s’times cringe at the toilets I hv to bear with when even crossborder in not far ashore my homeland, or suffer the potholes when travelling in the roads of foreign land. Grateful indeed hor our cleaners & road sweepers. They did a very decent job! Pun intended.

starlight1968sg\" post_id=\"2134498\" time=\"1717207646\" user_id=\"14025:

oh yes, rice dumplings! I love nonya type

Time flies and we reach the mid of 2024.

I love nonya chang too! Just don’t see any here in JB. Maybe we shld drive out. Just feeling too lazy this morning after hefty shopping y’day. I was doing 5 hours of shopping solo whilst DH zoom meeting & it’s really no joke for my age to do so many hours or walking & standing. Bought DH’s favourite lapis cake to celebrate. Breaks my legs! Today hv to chill & stay in bed.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134497\" time=\"1717207089\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134497 time=1717207089 user_id=53606]
I like this weather after enduring so many scorching hot days in a row. I was in sleeveless yet still cannot tahan.

Bought some ba zhang to steam later when DS wakes up. Feed him full full before his church activities later [/quote]

Just rained over here at St Giles. Morning showers. Good for sleep in.

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2134495\" time=\"1717202285\" user_id=\"28674:

Agree with this. It is sad if the elderly are forced unwillingly to work because they don't have other support. But let's not prevent the elderly from taking up jobs which are \"below\" their qualifications and experience - they may just want a relatively easy job, maybe physically demeaning in some eyes, but mentally easy, for other reasons. I recall someone telling me (I can't remember who) that she has encountered office cleaners/pantry aunties who do the work for the social interaction and pocket money, otherwise they would be bored at home.

I also feel our society still has a way to go - why are some jobs considered \"menial\" if they are useful? They may be dirty and uncomfortable, but those who do them should be treated with greater respect for doing that service to society. And with better equipment and protective gear, the jobs should be able to be made less dirty and uncomfortable. After all, most of us do such jobs at home, and don't feel demeaned by them.

I had a tea lady who used to serve me hot tea whenever she spotted me having my lunch pack & she surprised me often enuf making herbal tea with wolfberries & ginseng. I paiseh told her not to spend money like that for me but she then gently sad she took the job just to pass time as her kids are all grown & very bored at home, don’t want to sit at home “dan si”. She just want to be in an office to hv ppl ard her & chat if can.

I was terribly touched esp as I then lived along after my mum passed on. She’s like my 2nd mum.

Funz,


I’m sorry u’ve to go thro so much. I feel you. With aging parents, there’re lots that our elderly will depend on us. It’s an opportunity for us to be part of their life processes as they age & become more dependent.

Whilst I was going thro my surgery, my MIL have lots of complaints of a painful right leg. Had to chase to find docs willing to diagnose & write a full AIC report in order for her to do rehab physio at St Luke as she doesn’t want any AIC physio at the PolyClinic. Also had to accompany her for all her sessions so I know which exercises she need to do to target her issue. After some months, it didn’t seem to resolve that pain, so I’m trying to get her a referral to my orthopedic doc. Then y’day, she asked me to help her SIL to get in for St Luke. All her children nvr bothered to u’stand her health issues.

Take heart that yr dad hv you for help to Interfaxe with the doc for his treatment, which o’wise might render him feeling despondent & hapless. I’m sure he values yr presence too. Reminds me of my time spent in my mum’s last days & I was initially struggling to get docs to heal her. Eventually , a very resolutely involved doc came to put me in perspectives to be ready to let her go, as there’s no quality of life living in pain or disability and that she wld hv lived a worthwhile life & we as children shld let her go in peace. At her wake, our Pastor assured me she’ll be released to eternity w/o pain or tears and that our rewards & treasures are not earthly but eternal. My heart immediately rests with all these assurances & comfort. I’m thankful that I’ve spent my life with her & had many good memories to tap. Even sharing her recipes with my family & my stories abt her s’times draw interesting questions fr the young ones.

Hope you find assurances in my sharing & value every moment you get to spend with your parents.

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2134361\" time=\"1716870334\" user_id=\"143605:

Wld require to provide personal contact and particulars details? Usually survey would ask for some of these.
I normally ask if they need my numbers, i would not take part.

How to verify if such surveys are legit?

Our nation has to depend more on foreign labour coz more new gen not willing to have children.
Foreign talents or workers are here to work and contribute, based on needs so no choice and usually there are rigorous selection processes 🙏. But how abt their tag alongs?
These days, even on public transport, more speak their own languages loudly than our own 4. Can tell apart. 4 langs are usually spoken mindfully in public. They know no one can understand their own lang so speaking so freely and loudly. Some are decent people, giving up seats to our older folks or new mummies etc.
Notice that, more foreigners are working for hawker stalls, as employees? Some can even speak very decent Mandarin than locals... But look like our domestic helpers... Not verified though, just noticed so....

Does this mean Sg locals are all driving? So saying that this is actually a good sign?

Haven't been to east coast park since before covid until recently. So different now. Fully utilised by non locals who truly appreciate our natire reserves, parks and beaches. Saw so many tents, barbecues and group singing with music blasting. The rubbish left behind is quite an eyesore though.

Knowing our g are capable and know to keep the numbers under control and monitored closely. But the impression on the ground portrayed a different backdrop... And becoming the foreground slowly. That's why ppl are asking....

Looks like we have painted our own picture.

TBH, I’ve seen how some foreign MNCs will favour their own. I worked with one petroleum giant & during an economic downturn, which their in-house economist predicted, they started getting us HR to scrutinize PA & HODs hv to monitor targets to be met & flag out poor performers. Then all the letters start getting generated (some with compensations) but that was one of the lowest point for eyees & morale were at it’s all time low. Next moment, you see them sending their HQ staff over as expats to fill up jobs. What can we say then? It’s a foreign owned not SMEs & back then, SMEs weren’t coined.

Now, even with SMEs, they’ll try to use foreigners for cost management & whenever they can, M’sians are sought after to overcome the quota hurdle. MOM hv stepped up with stringent quotas & higher based salary rqmt. Despite, these orn find ways to cheat the system. Govt can do as much to catch up with creative cheaters but it’s like cat chasing mouse ard the house.

Last decade to-date, we’ve orgns putting pressure on eyees under veiled resignation. You can’t take the new r’qmts, u’ll be zeroed in till you feel the heat or paiseh just toss in the letter. Companies save up on retrenchment packages.

Tough life but that’s the reality of life these days.

Wow! @lee_yl, you encounter such special survey! DH was invited to one of those ground feedback as input towards policy making. Quite interesting the way it was conducted with teams working out points to highlight to govt.



Note : apologize for Kate post, as there seems to be system hang earlier.

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2134337\" time=\"1716817795\" user_id=\"43981:

No worries esteema..deleted.

Oh, you are absolutely so thotful & forgiving. I’ll still take responsibility for sharing w/o verifying my source. Truly grateful to you my dear.