Singaporeans always talk about work, money, cars, and NS because these topics are like our
national pastime – same as eating cai png and complaining about the weather. Let me explain why we
anyhow revolve around these topics, Singlish-style with humor:
1. Work is Our Identity
"In Singapore, your job is like your
name tag. First thing people ask:
"What you do ah?" If you say you’re a doctor or lawyer, they go
"Wah, steady lah!" If you say you’re a
professional nua-er, they anyhow judge:
"Wah, like that also can ah?" Work is not just work – it’s how we measure
successand
status. But hor, sometimes we forget that life is more than just our job title lah."
2. Money is Our Obsession
"Money is like our
favorite karaoke song – we anyhow sing about it, even if we don’t have much. Singaporeans love to talk about salary, bonuses, and CPF because we’re
kiasu (afraid to lose) and
kiasi (afraid to die). We scared we don’t have enough for retirement, so we anyhow compare and
haolian to feel better. But hor, sometimes we forget that money cannot buy happiness – only more cai png."
3. Cars are Our Status Symbol
"In Singapore, owning a car is like winning the lottery – damn expensive but damn shiok. People anyhow ask:
"You drive what car ah?" because it’s a way to show off and
wayang. If you say you take MRT, they anyhow pity you:
"Wah, so poor ah?" If you say you drive BMW, they anyhow compare:
"Oh, I drive Mercedes leh." Like that how to win? Might as well say you drive
Grab – at least no need to pay COE!"
4. NS is Our Shared Trauma
"NS is like our
national bonding activity – everyone kena, so everyone can talk about it. Whether you were a
commando or a
storeman, NS stories are our way of connecting and
wayang. But hor, after 10 years still talking about it, like
sibei boring leh. Might as well talk about your Primary 6 CCA lah!"
5. We Lack Hobbies (or Too Tired for Them)
"Singaporeans work until
moon come out, so no time for hobbies. When we meet friends, we anyhow talk about work and money because we don’t know what else to say. You ask:
"Eh, you got hobby or not?" They say:
"Hobby ah? Sleeping lor." Like that how to have interesting conversations ah?"
6. It’s a Kiasu Culture
"Singaporeans are
kiasu by nature – we anyhow compare and compete because we scared to lose out. If you earn more, I also want to earn more. If you drive BMW, I also want to drive Mercedes. If you go Europe holiday, I also want to go. It’s like a never-ending
kiasu cycle – damn tiring lah!"
Why Cannot Talk About Other Things?
"Eh, why everything must revolve around work, money, and cars ah? Why cannot talk about sports, travel, cycling, art, or music? Because we
kiasu and
kiasi lah! We scared if we talk about hobbies, people think we
no life or
not serious. But hor, life is more than just work and money – it’s about enjoying the ride and having a good laugh along the way."
How to Break the Cycle
- Start with Yourself:
"Next time you meet friends, talk about something else – like your recent cycling trip or your favorite Netflix show. Be the change you want to see lah!"
- Ask Interesting Questions:
"Instead of "What you do ah?", ask "What you do for fun ah?" or "You got try that new hawker stall or not?" Steady lah, sure more interesting!"
- Find Like-Minded Friends:
"If your friends only talk about work and money, find new friends who share your interests. Join a cycling group, art class, or music club – sure got people who also sian of talking about COE and CPF."
- Just Chill:
"Remember, life is not a competition. No need to anyhow compare or haolian. Just enjoy the moment and have a good laugh – that’s what life is all about!"
Conclusion
Wah, really sibei boring when everything revolves around work, money, and cars. But hor, we also
partly to blame lah – because we anyhow follow the
kiasu culture. Next time, just steer the conversation to something more interesting – like food, travel, or even
kopitiam gossip. After all, life is more than just your job and your car. It’s about enjoying the ride and having a good laugh along the way. Steady lah, we all just trying to survive in this
kiasu world together!
