Why Some Singaporeans Don't Like Chinese People: A Personal Perspective
This is a personal reflection on the speaker's evolving views on Chinese people in Singapore, noting that not all Singaporeans share the same sentiment. The speaker emphasizes the increasing presence of foreigners in Singapore, including those from China, and highlights perceived cultural and behavioral differences.
Early Impressions: Diligence and "Rolling"
Initially, the speaker's impression of Chinese people was formed during their time at Ni'an Polytechnic, where they encountered a diligent Chinese scholarship student. This student prioritized studying over socializing, leading the speaker to describe him as a "robot" or "no life," and exemplifying the concept of "rolling", referring to excessive studying. However, this evolved into admiration for their work ethic.
Encounters with Wealthy Chinese Customers
Later, working at a bank, the speaker encountered extremely wealthy Chinese customers investing heavily in Singaporean real estate. These customers often bought entire floors or buildings, demonstrating a significant financial presence. The speaker notes that many of these wealthy individuals are now Singaporean citizens, like the owner of Haidilao, Zhang Yong. These individuals were seen as successful, multilingual, and trusted the speaker with financial investments, though they often lacked patience for detailed explanations.
Negative Experiences as a Landlord
The speaker's perspective shifted negatively after renting a room to two Chinese women who worked in a factory. They reportedly violated rental agreement rules, such as cooking heavily with oil and bringing unauthorized guests. The speaker described the condition of the apartment after their departure as extremely dirty and the experience led to a heated dispute over the deposit. After this experience, the speaker only rented to Malaysian tenants due to their better understanding of Singaporean customs.
Two Types of Chinese People: The Rich and the Working Class
The speaker differentiates between two types of Chinese people in Singapore.
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The Wealthy: The speaker has no issues with wealthy Chinese individuals, as they contribute to the economy and provide opportunities.
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The Working Class: The speaker expresses less favorable views toward lower-income Chinese workers in factories, coffee shops, and the service industry, alleging they often lack knowledge of Singaporean culture and exhibit impolite behavior.
Cultural Differences and Impolite Service
Specific examples of perceived cultural differences include Chinese tourists not removing their shoes when entering homes. Furthermore, the speaker describes instances of rude service from Chinese workers in food stalls, citing loud and impatient interactions. This behavior is contrasted with the more friendly service provided by Malaysians. The speaker attributes this behavior to different cultural expectations, noting how service industry workers are treated in China.
Concerns about Singapore's Changing Culture
The speaker expresses concern that Singaporean society is slowly becoming more "Chinese," leading to a decline in original Singaporean culture. They cite the increasing number of Chinese restaurants and the transformation of areas like Jingwen Tai into "small Chinas." The speaker questions the motivations of Chinese immigrants wanting to become Singaporean citizens, suggesting it stems from dissatisfaction with their own government.
The Impact of New Citizens on Singaporean Politics
The speaker observes that many "New Citizens" (newly naturalized Singaporeans, often Chinese) tend to vote for the ruling Action Party, which contrasts with the speaker's own support for the opposition party. This is seen as contributing to political changes in Singapore.
Fear of "Rolling" and Increasing Competition
Finally, the speaker notes that Singaporeans are becoming increasingly concerned about the "卷" (rolling) culture prevalent among Chinese workers, leading to increased competition and pressure in the job market. They are competing not only with fellow Singaporeans but also with foreigners. The speaker hopes this sharing is not seen as offensive, and would consider sharing more on similar topics if there is positive feedback. They conclude by mentioning their English investment channel, Master Leung.
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