The writer feels that the “fearful” image of Singaporeans is actually not their common characteristic. We should more consciously project a better and more positive image of ourselves.
Of late, the question of what makes a Singaporean has sparked off a whole slew of discussions. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has recently suggested that the Singaporean is kiasu, kiasee, and if he is a man, kiabo.
There have been much discussions and opinions in the media, schools and on social occasions about the Prime Minister's “3 Ks”。 People have also been pondering over what the Prime Minister meant. Why did the Prime Minister make such an observation when he spoke of the common characteristics of Singaporeans？ Was he merely joking and being humorous, or was he being frank in reflecting the opinion of most Singaporeans？
Most people believe that kia, or fear, is negative. It is no good, defective and ugly. But it is not easy to have clear definitions. What is fear？ As for kiasu, kiasee and kiabo, people can derive many opinions of their own, and perhaps suggest another fear： the fear of the government.
Since independence, the people in Singapore have been suffering from political indifference. On important issues such as government policies and regulations, international relations, and even on issues of immediate concern, their attitudes seem somewhat strange, not like the usual reactions found in ordinary citizens of any country.
Singaporeans ordinarily would not even want to talk about national issues or issues that concern their livelihood, let alone taking concrete actions. Therefore, Singaporeans can “proudly” say： Ours is an unusual country indeed, no strikes, no riots, no protests, no demonstrations and no free-for-alls in our Parliament.
Take for instance the recent Clob issue which was the people's main concern. The 170,000 Clob shareholders were described as a pile of loose sand. Faced with the problem, they were at a loss and did not react positively. Many shareholders do not know what to do —— whether to wait for the buy-back proposals, or for the governments of both countries to negotiate, or something else. They have not actively sought solutions to the problem, and have not used their collective power to exert pressure on the authorities concerned.
This is the Singaporean “spirit”。 It is no wonder that Singapore has been considered the only country in the world where the Certificate of Entitlement for vehicles and Electronic Road Pricing systems could be implemented. It is not that the governments of many countries have not thought of these systems, nor is it that they do not wish to implement them. What makes them hesitant in implementing these policies are the people's possible reaction, their resistance and the political costs involved.
But in our country, unpopular policies and systems are all effectively implemented. Is this the result of the government's strong hand, or is it caused by the people's weakness, fear of government, their silence and meek acceptance of adversity？
Whatever the case may be, whether or not we have inherent fears may be due to many complex factors. Kiasu, kiasee, kiabo, afraid of trouble, afraid of the government……these are all controversial topics. Perhaps they are not the common characteristics of Singaporeans. If we sensationalise them and keep talking about them, will it have a positive effect that spurs the people to face the issue squarely, understand their own shortcomings and change for the better？ Or will it eventually be considered as characteristics that are impossible to change or are unnecessary for us to do anything about them, thus accepting them as part of our lives？
Everyone has his or her own characteristics, but society also has an overall characteristic, which represents the common awareness, behaviour and views of the majority of the population. There will be some exceptions but these are in the minority.
Many people do not like to be labelled as an “Ugly Singaporean”。 It is after all not a national characteristic to be proud of, and not one to be cultivated by the government. Perhaps Singapore's achievement since independence, our social stability, our wealth and political tradition unwittingly nurtured this characteristic. How will this affect our country, our society and the development of our people, is a question to be pondered over.
This topic should not be taken light-heartedly. The government, scholars and every Singaporean should treat this issue seriously. A nation's characteristics determine a country's future, and should not be overlooked.
新加坡人何以有多“怕”？
作者認(rèn)為新加坡人給人多“怕”的印象,其實(shí)并不能代表整體的新加坡人；我們有必要為自己塑造較積極和正面的形象,以突出我們的民族特性。
新加坡人到底有什么特性這個(gè)話題,曾幾何時(shí)引起人們廣泛的談?wù)?總理吳作棟不久前也提及新加坡人怕輸,怕死,同時(shí)他也認(rèn)為,假如是一名男性的話,還加多那么一點(diǎn)怕老婆的個(gè)性。
近日來(lái)許多媒體、學(xué)校、社會(huì)場(chǎng)合,輿論都少不了拿總理所道出的“三怕”來(lái)討論和發(fā)表意見(jiàn),人們也在多方揣測(cè)總理的這一番話有何用意。總理在提到新加坡人的普遍個(gè)性時(shí)為何有這樣的一個(gè)觀察,他是幽默,開(kāi)玩笑呢,還是坦率說(shuō)出一般人的看法？
說(shuō)到“怕”,許多人都認(rèn)為那是負(fù)面的,不好的,是缺陷,是丑陋的。但是卻不容易劃清界線。何謂怕呢？怕輸,怕死,怕老婆,人們自然而然的引申出更多說(shuō)法,還至少提出另一怕：怕政府。
普遍上新加坡在獨(dú)立建國(guó)以來(lái),人民就患有政治冷感癥,對(duì)重大話題,政府治國(guó)的政策與條例,國(guó)際間關(guān)系,甚至切身問(wèn)題都表現(xiàn)得有點(diǎn)怪異,非一般國(guó)家人民的正常反應(yīng)。
新加坡人平常已經(jīng)連開(kāi)口說(shuō)話談?wù)搰?guó)家大事或民生問(wèn)題都提不起勁,更不用說(shuō)以行動(dòng)來(lái)反應(yīng),因此我國(guó)可以“自豪”地說(shuō)：這里是世界上少有的國(guó)家,沒(méi)有罷工、*、*、*或者在國(guó)會(huì)上大演鐵公雞。
就以過(guò)去所發(fā)生的許多事情為例,譬如說(shuō)人們最關(guān)心的自動(dòng)撮合馬股問(wèn)題,17萬(wàn)股民被形容為一盤散沙,面對(duì)問(wèn)題時(shí)不知所措,也沒(méi)有積極的反應(yīng),是在等待收購(gòu)建議,還是兩國(guó)政府出面磋商,還是…
…,相信許多股民都不知道怎么做,也沒(méi)有爭(zhēng)取解決問(wèn)題,更加沒(méi)有以集體的力量向有關(guān)*施壓。
這就是新加坡人的“精神”,難怪我國(guó)被認(rèn)為是世界上能夠?qū)嵤碥囎C投標(biāo)制和全面實(shí)施公路電子收費(fèi)的國(guó)家,許多國(guó)家政府并不是沒(méi)有想到類似的制度,也不是不想那么做,而是在考慮人民可能的反應(yīng)、抗拒和政治代價(jià)之后都不敢輕舉妄動(dòng)。
反觀我國(guó)許多不可能的任務(wù)、政策與制度都一一有效的實(shí)行,這是政府的強(qiáng)悍,還是人民的懦弱與怕政府,默不作聲,逆來(lái)順受的民風(fēng)所致呢？
無(wú)論如何,怕與否是存在著許多復(fù)雜的因素,怕輸,怕死,怕老婆,怕事,怕政府……都肯定具有爭(zhēng)議性,也許它也不是新加坡人的共同特性,只是我們把它擴(kuò)大,拿來(lái)談?wù)?越炒越熱,不知道這是會(huì)帶來(lái)好處,讓人民正視問(wèn)題,了解自己,看清楚優(yōu)缺點(diǎn),修身養(yǎng)性,還是會(huì)被當(dāng)作是無(wú)法或無(wú)需改變的特性,以平常心處之泰然。
每一個(gè)人都有獨(dú)特的個(gè)性,但社會(huì)大眾也會(huì)有一個(gè)整體特性,它是代表大部分人的共同意識(shí),行為表現(xiàn)和思想觀念,當(dāng)然其中肯定還是會(huì)有例外,但畢竟是少數(shù)。
許多人都不喜歡被冠上“丑陋的新加坡人”這樣的一個(gè)稱號(hào),這畢竟不是一個(gè)光彩耀眼的民族性,也不會(huì)是政府所期望塑造的人民。
也許建國(guó)以來(lái)的成就,社會(huì)安寧,國(guó)富民強(qiáng)以及政治傳統(tǒng),使我國(guó)在不知不覺(jué)中塑造了這樣的民風(fēng),這對(duì)我們國(guó)家社會(huì)與民族的進(jìn)展會(huì)產(chǎn)生什么樣的影響,的確值得深思。
其實(shí)這樣一個(gè)話題并不好笑,政府,學(xué)者和每一個(gè)新加坡人都應(yīng)當(dāng)認(rèn)真的看待這個(gè)問(wèn)題,一個(gè)民族的特性將左右這個(gè)國(guó)家的前途,絕對(duì)不可忽視。
Of late, the question of what makes a Singaporean has sparked off a whole slew of discussions. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has recently suggested that the Singaporean is kiasu, kiasee, and if he is a man, kiabo.
There have been much discussions and opinions in the media, schools and on social occasions about the Prime Minister's “3 Ks”。 People have also been pondering over what the Prime Minister meant. Why did the Prime Minister make such an observation when he spoke of the common characteristics of Singaporeans？ Was he merely joking and being humorous, or was he being frank in reflecting the opinion of most Singaporeans？
Most people believe that kia, or fear, is negative. It is no good, defective and ugly. But it is not easy to have clear definitions. What is fear？ As for kiasu, kiasee and kiabo, people can derive many opinions of their own, and perhaps suggest another fear： the fear of the government.
Since independence, the people in Singapore have been suffering from political indifference. On important issues such as government policies and regulations, international relations, and even on issues of immediate concern, their attitudes seem somewhat strange, not like the usual reactions found in ordinary citizens of any country.
Singaporeans ordinarily would not even want to talk about national issues or issues that concern their livelihood, let alone taking concrete actions. Therefore, Singaporeans can “proudly” say： Ours is an unusual country indeed, no strikes, no riots, no protests, no demonstrations and no free-for-alls in our Parliament.
Take for instance the recent Clob issue which was the people's main concern. The 170,000 Clob shareholders were described as a pile of loose sand. Faced with the problem, they were at a loss and did not react positively. Many shareholders do not know what to do —— whether to wait for the buy-back proposals, or for the governments of both countries to negotiate, or something else. They have not actively sought solutions to the problem, and have not used their collective power to exert pressure on the authorities concerned.
This is the Singaporean “spirit”。 It is no wonder that Singapore has been considered the only country in the world where the Certificate of Entitlement for vehicles and Electronic Road Pricing systems could be implemented. It is not that the governments of many countries have not thought of these systems, nor is it that they do not wish to implement them. What makes them hesitant in implementing these policies are the people's possible reaction, their resistance and the political costs involved.
But in our country, unpopular policies and systems are all effectively implemented. Is this the result of the government's strong hand, or is it caused by the people's weakness, fear of government, their silence and meek acceptance of adversity？
Whatever the case may be, whether or not we have inherent fears may be due to many complex factors. Kiasu, kiasee, kiabo, afraid of trouble, afraid of the government……these are all controversial topics. Perhaps they are not the common characteristics of Singaporeans. If we sensationalise them and keep talking about them, will it have a positive effect that spurs the people to face the issue squarely, understand their own shortcomings and change for the better？ Or will it eventually be considered as characteristics that are impossible to change or are unnecessary for us to do anything about them, thus accepting them as part of our lives？
Everyone has his or her own characteristics, but society also has an overall characteristic, which represents the common awareness, behaviour and views of the majority of the population. There will be some exceptions but these are in the minority.
Many people do not like to be labelled as an “Ugly Singaporean”。 It is after all not a national characteristic to be proud of, and not one to be cultivated by the government. Perhaps Singapore's achievement since independence, our social stability, our wealth and political tradition unwittingly nurtured this characteristic. How will this affect our country, our society and the development of our people, is a question to be pondered over.
This topic should not be taken light-heartedly. The government, scholars and every Singaporean should treat this issue seriously. A nation's characteristics determine a country's future, and should not be overlooked.
新加坡人何以有多“怕”？
作者認(rèn)為新加坡人給人多“怕”的印象,其實(shí)并不能代表整體的新加坡人；我們有必要為自己塑造較積極和正面的形象,以突出我們的民族特性。
新加坡人到底有什么特性這個(gè)話題,曾幾何時(shí)引起人們廣泛的談?wù)?總理吳作棟不久前也提及新加坡人怕輸,怕死,同時(shí)他也認(rèn)為,假如是一名男性的話,還加多那么一點(diǎn)怕老婆的個(gè)性。
近日來(lái)許多媒體、學(xué)校、社會(huì)場(chǎng)合,輿論都少不了拿總理所道出的“三怕”來(lái)討論和發(fā)表意見(jiàn),人們也在多方揣測(cè)總理的這一番話有何用意。總理在提到新加坡人的普遍個(gè)性時(shí)為何有這樣的一個(gè)觀察,他是幽默,開(kāi)玩笑呢,還是坦率說(shuō)出一般人的看法？
說(shuō)到“怕”,許多人都認(rèn)為那是負(fù)面的,不好的,是缺陷,是丑陋的。但是卻不容易劃清界線。何謂怕呢？怕輸,怕死,怕老婆,人們自然而然的引申出更多說(shuō)法,還至少提出另一怕：怕政府。
普遍上新加坡在獨(dú)立建國(guó)以來(lái),人民就患有政治冷感癥,對(duì)重大話題,政府治國(guó)的政策與條例,國(guó)際間關(guān)系,甚至切身問(wèn)題都表現(xiàn)得有點(diǎn)怪異,非一般國(guó)家人民的正常反應(yīng)。
新加坡人平常已經(jīng)連開(kāi)口說(shuō)話談?wù)搰?guó)家大事或民生問(wèn)題都提不起勁,更不用說(shuō)以行動(dòng)來(lái)反應(yīng),因此我國(guó)可以“自豪”地說(shuō)：這里是世界上少有的國(guó)家,沒(méi)有罷工、*、*、*或者在國(guó)會(huì)上大演鐵公雞。
就以過(guò)去所發(fā)生的許多事情為例,譬如說(shuō)人們最關(guān)心的自動(dòng)撮合馬股問(wèn)題,17萬(wàn)股民被形容為一盤散沙,面對(duì)問(wèn)題時(shí)不知所措,也沒(méi)有積極的反應(yīng),是在等待收購(gòu)建議,還是兩國(guó)政府出面磋商,還是…
…,相信許多股民都不知道怎么做,也沒(méi)有爭(zhēng)取解決問(wèn)題,更加沒(méi)有以集體的力量向有關(guān)*施壓。
這就是新加坡人的“精神”,難怪我國(guó)被認(rèn)為是世界上能夠?qū)嵤碥囎C投標(biāo)制和全面實(shí)施公路電子收費(fèi)的國(guó)家,許多國(guó)家政府并不是沒(méi)有想到類似的制度,也不是不想那么做,而是在考慮人民可能的反應(yīng)、抗拒和政治代價(jià)之后都不敢輕舉妄動(dòng)。
反觀我國(guó)許多不可能的任務(wù)、政策與制度都一一有效的實(shí)行,這是政府的強(qiáng)悍,還是人民的懦弱與怕政府,默不作聲,逆來(lái)順受的民風(fēng)所致呢？
無(wú)論如何,怕與否是存在著許多復(fù)雜的因素,怕輸,怕死,怕老婆,怕事,怕政府……都肯定具有爭(zhēng)議性,也許它也不是新加坡人的共同特性,只是我們把它擴(kuò)大,拿來(lái)談?wù)?越炒越熱,不知道這是會(huì)帶來(lái)好處,讓人民正視問(wèn)題,了解自己,看清楚優(yōu)缺點(diǎn),修身養(yǎng)性,還是會(huì)被當(dāng)作是無(wú)法或無(wú)需改變的特性,以平常心處之泰然。
每一個(gè)人都有獨(dú)特的個(gè)性,但社會(huì)大眾也會(huì)有一個(gè)整體特性,它是代表大部分人的共同意識(shí),行為表現(xiàn)和思想觀念,當(dāng)然其中肯定還是會(huì)有例外,但畢竟是少數(shù)。
許多人都不喜歡被冠上“丑陋的新加坡人”這樣的一個(gè)稱號(hào),這畢竟不是一個(gè)光彩耀眼的民族性,也不會(huì)是政府所期望塑造的人民。
也許建國(guó)以來(lái)的成就,社會(huì)安寧,國(guó)富民強(qiáng)以及政治傳統(tǒng),使我國(guó)在不知不覺(jué)中塑造了這樣的民風(fēng),這對(duì)我們國(guó)家社會(huì)與民族的進(jìn)展會(huì)產(chǎn)生什么樣的影響,的確值得深思。
其實(shí)這樣一個(gè)話題并不好笑,政府,學(xué)者和每一個(gè)新加坡人都應(yīng)當(dāng)認(rèn)真的看待這個(gè)問(wèn)題,一個(gè)民族的特性將左右這個(gè)國(guó)家的前途,絕對(duì)不可忽視。