There are some words or expressions in foreign languages that have a deep meaning or philosophy. I wish to introduce some of these expressions to you. I hope that you can contribute other expressions:
Schadenfreude (German): pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others
Savoir-faire (French): the ability to say or do the right or graceful thing.
There are many examples from the Chinese, Japanese language and other languages. These words convey special meaning that shapes the behavior and culture of a people.
We have our own Singapore examples, such as "kaisu" and "kiasi".
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Remembering Dr. Goh Keng Swee
How should Singapore remember Dr Goh Keng Swee, a founding father and one of the most brilliant architects of our nation? Appreciate your vote in this survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T3BBHBH
Terence Chua
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/T3BBHBH
Terence Chua
Rules of the game
It is interesting to watch how the rules of a game influence the behavior of the participants.
There is a popular game called Hearts. It is available as a standard game with Microsoft Windows. Here are the rules of the game:
a) The game involves exactly four players. At the end of the game, when one player accumulates at leat 100 penalty points, the player with the lowest point is declared as the winner. The other three players are considered as having lost the game.
b) The game comprises many rounds (or "hands"). 26 penalty points are awarded to the players on each roudn.
c) There is a special feature that if one player accumulates all the 26 penalty points during a hand, the player is considered as having "shot the moon". In that case, the 26 penalty points is awarded to the other three players.
The rules of this game influence the behavior of the players as follows:
a) As the game progresses, all the three losing players (i.e with the higher points) cooperate among themselves to prevent the leading player (with the lowest point) from widening the lead.
b) In each hand, the players cooperate among themselves to prevent one player from "shooting the moon". They will keep a strong card to prevent this situation and will be willing to take one or more penalty points to prevent this outcome. This is for the benefit of the other players.
The behavior of Singaporeans is also shaped by our economic environment and our education system. We were told to be "excellent" and be better than our classmates and get to the "top of the class", When we start work, we were told to "look after ourselves" as "nobody owes us a living".
This environment develops Singaporeans to be competitive, selfish and incompassionate. Generally, we consider the unemployed or unsuccessful people as being "lazy" or have "bad attitude".
When we become victirms of these circumstances, we begin to realise that it could be due to bad luck or unfairness. By that time, we lament that other people do not step forward to help us as they are only looking after themselves.
There are Signaporeans who are exceptions to this observation. But, I do believe that many Singaporeans show the behavior that I have described.
Tan Kin Lian
There is a popular game called Hearts. It is available as a standard game with Microsoft Windows. Here are the rules of the game:
a) The game involves exactly four players. At the end of the game, when one player accumulates at leat 100 penalty points, the player with the lowest point is declared as the winner. The other three players are considered as having lost the game.
b) The game comprises many rounds (or "hands"). 26 penalty points are awarded to the players on each roudn.
c) There is a special feature that if one player accumulates all the 26 penalty points during a hand, the player is considered as having "shot the moon". In that case, the 26 penalty points is awarded to the other three players.
The rules of this game influence the behavior of the players as follows:
a) As the game progresses, all the three losing players (i.e with the higher points) cooperate among themselves to prevent the leading player (with the lowest point) from widening the lead.
b) In each hand, the players cooperate among themselves to prevent one player from "shooting the moon". They will keep a strong card to prevent this situation and will be willing to take one or more penalty points to prevent this outcome. This is for the benefit of the other players.
The behavior of Singaporeans is also shaped by our economic environment and our education system. We were told to be "excellent" and be better than our classmates and get to the "top of the class", When we start work, we were told to "look after ourselves" as "nobody owes us a living".
This environment develops Singaporeans to be competitive, selfish and incompassionate. Generally, we consider the unemployed or unsuccessful people as being "lazy" or have "bad attitude".
When we become victirms of these circumstances, we begin to realise that it could be due to bad luck or unfairness. By that time, we lament that other people do not step forward to help us as they are only looking after themselves.
There are Signaporeans who are exceptions to this observation. But, I do believe that many Singaporeans show the behavior that I have described.
Tan Kin Lian
New railway in Malaysia
I am delighted that, after twenty years, Singapore and Malaysia has resolved their differences on the railway station in Tanjong Pagar. The new railway station will move initially to Woodlands. We can look forward to a new railway system being developed in Malaysia over the next few years.
Many advanced countries have a high speed railway system to connect its citiies. For example, the progress in China and Taiwan is amazing. Malaysia can catch up for lost time. Many Singaporeans would love to have the chance to travel to Kuala Lumpur and Penang by train, rather than by plane. This will also benefit many Malaysians who work in Singapore.
Some people wonder why it took twenty years for the leaders of the two countries to resolve the differences. This shows that high salaries of leaders do not lead to better performance. However, as the saying goes, "Better late than never!"
Tan Kin Lian
Many advanced countries have a high speed railway system to connect its citiies. For example, the progress in China and Taiwan is amazing. Malaysia can catch up for lost time. Many Singaporeans would love to have the chance to travel to Kuala Lumpur and Penang by train, rather than by plane. This will also benefit many Malaysians who work in Singapore.
Some people wonder why it took twenty years for the leaders of the two countries to resolve the differences. This shows that high salaries of leaders do not lead to better performance. However, as the saying goes, "Better late than never!"
Tan Kin Lian
Quarrel on the MRT train
Two persons were quarrelling on the MRT train. A young girl, while seated and talking in the mobile phone, carelessly knoced against a young man seated next to him. The young man complained, as he was listening to his music. The lady complained loudly about the remarks and abused the man continuously for scolding her for an unintended act. She called her friend on the mobile phone to tell loudly about this incident. She also challenged him to get down at the next stop for a fight.. From the accent, both of these persons were foreigners who have lived in Singapore for some time.
This is an unntended consequences of allowing many foreigners to live in Singapore in a short time. The culture and social behavior of the people livng in Singapore has changed consideraly.
Tan Kin Lian
This is an unntended consequences of allowing many foreigners to live in Singapore in a short time. The culture and social behavior of the people livng in Singapore has changed consideraly.
Tan Kin Lian
Life is more difficult
I met a few relatives at a wedding reception.
One drives a bus. The insurance premium has increased sharply. He now has to drive longer hours and get his grown up son to take the third shift to make ends meet.
Another runs a mini-mart. He complains about the regulations on placing goods outside his shop and the summon that he received from the town council. After seeing his MP, he was issued with a courts summons.
Another runs a catering business. He is worried about the competitive environment, low margin and high operating cost.
All of them said that life is more difficult today, compared to the past. They face stress due to the high cost of living, rules and regulations and competition.
Tan Kin Lian
One drives a bus. The insurance premium has increased sharply. He now has to drive longer hours and get his grown up son to take the third shift to make ends meet.
Another runs a mini-mart. He complains about the regulations on placing goods outside his shop and the summon that he received from the town council. After seeing his MP, he was issued with a courts summons.
Another runs a catering business. He is worried about the competitive environment, low margin and high operating cost.
All of them said that life is more difficult today, compared to the past. They face stress due to the high cost of living, rules and regulations and competition.
Tan Kin Lian
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