Throwaway because my colleagues are definitely “office-FBI” and will CSI my main account in two seconds.
I’ve been at my current MNC/SME (doesn’t even matter, the toxic vibes are the same) for two years, and I’m reaching my breaking point. Is it just part of our DNA to be this miserable, or did I miss a memo?
1. The “Wayang” (Showmanship) Culture My official hours are 9 to 6. If I dare to pack my bag at 6:01 PM, the entire floor goes silent. My manager will look up and say, “Wah, half-day ah?” with that signature passive-aggressive smirk. Why do we celebrate people sitting in the office until 9 PM doing absolutely nothing but scrolling Shopee, just to look “hardworking”?
2. The “ASAP” Illusion Everything is urgent. Everything is a “priority.” I get emails at 11:30 PM with “Please look into this ASAP.” I check the file—it’s for a meeting next month. Why do we thrive on creating artificial stress? It’s like if we aren’t panic-typing, we aren’t “value-adding.”
3. The Passive-Aggressive “Regards” In other countries, “Regards” is just a closing. In Singapore, the shorter the closing, the more likely your colleague wants to throw a stapler at you.
- Kind regards: We’re okay.
- Regards: I’m annoyed.
- Sent from my iPhone: I am actively ignoring your request while at a cafe.
- Please advise: You messed up and I want everyone on the CC list to know it.
4. The “SME Boss” Syndrome Even in big companies, some bosses act like they’re paying you out of their own CPF. They want “entrepreneurial spirit” (aka work for free) and “ownership” (aka take the blame when things go wrong), but the moment you suggest a better way to do things, they hit you with the “I’ve been doing this for 20 years, you know better than me?”
5. Lunch is the only personality we have The highlight of my day is deciding whether to join the queue for the $7.50 Ban Mian or the $12 Salad (to feel “healthy” before I die of overwork). We spend 45 minutes of our 1-hour lunch complaining about work, only to go back and work even harder.
I’m tired, man. My back hurts from these “ergonomic” chairs that were probably bought during the SARS era, and my soul is fading faster than a Shopee voucher on 11.11.
Does anyone actually enjoy this? Or are we all just staying for the 13th month bonus and the hope that one day we can retire in JB?
TL;DR: High SES cost of living, Low SES work-life balance. 0/10 would not recommend.
Edit: To the person who commented “If you don’t like it, then leave”—congratulations on being part of the problem. Please go back to your OT, your boss is watching.