Curious mind wonders

Earlier today, I responded to a plea for help by a newly-established contact. She was at her wits' end about a possible legal wrangle.

I was perplexed, to say the least, that absolutely none of the self-appointed Singapore experts came to her rescue.

Same happened when another contact started a thread about possible work avenues. I was, again, flummoxed though not surprised that nobody responded to what is a common topic.

Both ladies are, after all, not the common "I wan cha-doh-nay [chardonnay]!" garden variety. That perhaps could explain why.

Irony at its finest

I just received feedback about how some folk found either my rantings over here or postings on networking platforms rather distasteful. So distasteful that they saw it fit to moan to third parties.

Tsk, tsk. How puerile. How sad.

And I thought Singaporeans are some of the biggest "I want to complain to your supervisor!!" moaners on this side of the Cosmoverse. Just take a peek at the Straits Times Forum for instance, and y'all will know what I mean. But then, I am sure the Aussies would tell you's that the English are the biggest whingers. See "Whingeing Poms".

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why, really. I meant them moaners.

I am sure that if much of this fine blog is nothing but constant put-downs on Singaporeans and Asians in general. Or that my online postings sing neverending praises of expats, I would become an overnight Favouritest Little Asian Servile Pet Interweb Sensation.

The biggest irony is this. Much of the Western world expects the rest of the Blue Marble to adopt Western manners and practices when doing business with them. And when Asians learnt English for instance, they were also expected to adopt 100% Western thought patterns.

A Turkish friend once wrote to me many moons ago, after reading an out-of-control almighty verbal fisticuff on a certain networking platform. Which I shall not reveal for obvious reasons.


Some spastic started the "Why Asian women go for White men" thread. That led many to talk like experts on Asia and Asian women. When most had never even stepped into this continent. Despite many more telling them they were way off-the-mark.

And then of all things, some lowest-of-the-low lowlife called an Englishman rude names. And that his Asian wife might have been so ugly and desperate to marry him.

What fine manners. Serves to show why certain sections of the human population ought to be neutered at birth.


She said that if people accept what I wrote and are not offended, they are my true friends. For the mere fact that I stick to my principles, and that I do not waver in the face of hostility. Those who got easily offended are not even worth my time.

It is not as if I did not write with enough sensitivity or diplomacy. But then, different people have different perceptions and mindsets. And I ain't gonna please those who easily take offence. Just because I do not write what they want to read.

Honestly, the daily subscriptions to this fine blog is also testimony to my popularity. There are 12 new subscribers for today alone. Of course, to some of you's, there is nothing to crow about. I chose to believe that it is an almighty huge following. Per day, mind.

Hey, I even receive the occasional fan mail and connection invitations from fellow Groups members on LinkedIn. What did I say about differing perceptions?

Really, some people ought to grow a thicker hide. May I remind them once more that the Sun has already set on the Empire. A long time ago.

Comprende?

Hypocrisy at its finest?

How come a known neo-Nazi racist was not vetted when she first applied for the presenter job? With a New South Wales multicultural radio station?

Note the splendid self-denial, as emphasised, as gloriously displayed by said neo-Nazi:

When Ms Verney was approached for comment over her Facebook posts, she said it was "unfortunate" patriotism was now regarded as racism.

"As a proud Aussie, I welcome new Australians in the hope and belief that they too, become proud Aussies," she said.

Indeed, Ms Verney. I, however, understand your frustrations with regard to some immigrants' refusal to respect the Aussie way of life. And obey the laws of the land. I cannot agree with you more about some folks' fondness for playing the victim card.

We have the same -- if not similar -- issues with many of our foreign guests, not necessarily from the Third World.

But then, I also suggest that you start getting a grip with reality. For the fact that Australia IS geographically IN ASIA. I kept coming across faulty minds who insist that Australia is the West.

Geddit, mate?

Where is the relevancy?

Or perhaps any of you's can enlighten me. Just spotted yet another European moo [there is a reason why] begging to work here in Singapore [please note] on a LinkedIn thread.

Amongst her selling points, her prospective employer could benefit from her EUROPE experiences. Simply because, she is **European** [nationality omitted for obvious reasons]. Or so she blatantly stated.

I fully understand if she is eyeing one of the government agencies with perpetual trade mission interests in Europe. But if her, presumedly, sole purpose is to work with a European-based company -- specifically serving the European market -- why the fcuk did she come all the way here to work?

What with her Marketing experiential background, surely she would have already done some relevant and extensive research? That European companies headquartered here are serving the ASIA-PACIFIC market specifically?? If not, Southeast Asia?

Common sense dictates that Asian or Singaporean companies with interests in Europe should set up shop OVER THERE. Not operating out of Singapore. But I do not think that she considers working with a local company either.

Talk about believing in one's own inflated myths. Or to put it more bluntly, racial superiority.

No different from that other European woman who believes her fluency [haha] in FIVE European languages could help her prospective employer with their Asia-Pacific objectives. It is true, folks. I am not making this up.

Surreal-tastic stuff

The blurb says it all:

Inspired by the silent movies of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, Anne-Catherine Becker-Echivard uses real-life fish heads to create her photos that depict everyday-life to address topics.

I am beginning to like Anne-Catherine's works :)

A brief respite

Nicked without permission from a Straits Times Discussions Forum's commenter:


Heard this?

A bear, a lion and a pig meet.

Bear says: "if I roar in the forest, the entire forest is shivering with fear."

Lion says: "if I roar in the jungle, the entire jungle is afraid of me."

Pig says: "big deal.... I only have to cough, and the entire planet lives in fear."

The power of the Swine.


---------------------------------------

Talk about the Swine, exactly two weeks ago the number of confirmed cases on this islet was 49. Today, it is 783, 300 of whom are already on the mend.

Did I not say about how viruses can spread like wildfire in densely-populated places? What with the neighbourhood hospital located only a few blocks away, it is really disturbing to hear the wail of ambulance sirens every few hours.

Never more so the past few days. So I ain't surprised that the numbers have in fact shot up.

I'm going to say this once MORE, so listen up

I have no quibble with anyone residing elsewhere or newly-arrived trailing spouses seeking work here. In Singapore.

What I have an issue is these people using global platforms like LinkedIn to whinge. About not just the seeming lack of jobs or responses to their job application. BUT who are galling enough to imply why headhunters, recruiters et al do not make them their priority.

To their wee minds, they do believe they are far more deserving. Than the already jobless born and bred NATIVE Singaporeans. Apart from the truly mistaken notion that they speak and write far more excellent English. When the opposite is true, for most cases.

I have had already blogged about this subject to death since the onset of the current economic situation. And I have had more than my fair share of scrapes and verbal fisticuffs. Not least, a particular contact who insisted that GLOBAL experiences and skill sets carry more weight.

This coming from someone who is still gainfully employed on the other side of the planet. Knowing full well that jobs are hard to come by over here. But that did not stop him from bleating on about his wanting to return here with the wifey. Since the moment we got connected.

As if I am not aware that both of them are actually wanting to re-live the good life here. With the full expatriate compensation package. And exclusive white-expat-only-enclave accommodation paid for by the company. It is not so much the professional experience that they are seeking.

I believe what shut him up rightly was my following blunt response. That he go tell discontented Singaporeans himself that they ought to accept their lot. Having worked in this region for donkey's years, he would have already known that Asians' non-reaction does not equate with quiet acceptance.

It is really amazing that these same folk choose to not put themselves in others' shoes. As if I am not aware that not too long ago, the mere presence of non-Whites in the West led to wallopings, racist abuse and much-unjustified accusations of job-stealing.

When these same people were contented enough to collect their weekly dole. At taxpayers' expense.

Even if this particular contact wanted to insult my intelligence, he could have done better.