Differences between Singaporeans abroad vs Singaporeans in SG?
I have had the opportunity to interact with Singaporeans living abroad in the UK, US, Australia, Japan, etc. and they have all been some of the amazing people I’ve met. Amazing, cheerful and supportive personalities and happy lives.
The crab-bucket mentality is so exceptionally rare amongst SGporeans abroad. But here, I have met an awful number of extremely bitter people, downplaying others’ successes and ambitions and overall just spiteful or even hateful.
Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon? Or maybe is it just selection bias where the richer generally have a broader worldview and more accommodating, and can move abroad easily? Or is Singapore that much of a pressure cooker.
Of course, this doesn’t mean everyone here is miserable, there definitely are happy and successful people here, but it seems that the ‘miserable’ factor is a bit higher here.
Netizens’ comments
- When you are abroad, every Singaporean you meet is by default a friend and an ally. Any Singaporean I meet in California who asks me for a referral will always get one, and if they are down to hunt for good chicken rice or hunt for apartments or cars I would be glad to help them too.
When you are in a foreign land, anybody who shares something similar to you, whether it is the same college or the same country, is immediately a friend, because you need all the networks you can get. Also, you have an instant level of connection that isn’t readily available as with others of different backgrounds.
You just “get” the kiasuness, or get to diss on SG Govt together, or get to judge Singaporean cuisine together. Back in SG, you don’t feel the rarity of this connection and common background so you don’t treasure every chance as much. - People who moved overseas tend to be action-oriented and bold. If they don’t like a certain situation, they will make a change and do it.
Those who complain and are bitter of others tend to be timid and lack control in their lives. After all, it is easier to lay blame and be bitter than to take action.
And you definitely do not need a behavioural scientist to tell you that those who are in control of their lives are happier than those who aren’t. 🙂 - It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. The bitter, cynical Singaporeans are entrenched in their dogmas and are less likely to pursue such unconventional paths.
That said, we should acknowledge that there are a lot of Singaporeans who don’t conform to this pessimistic archetype.
They harbor aspirations and DO want to move abroad. Some are just momentarily stuck, and it does not reflect a crab-bucket mentality on their part.