Comments, opinions and an occasional ramble
Middle class graduate sandwich
Reading the Straits Times today (actually, it’s not a Straits Times originated article that I will be referring to, but a Straits Times reprint of a Financial Times article), I came across a very interesting article by Lawrence Summers, the ex-president of Harvard. He was writing on the state of the middle class in America, and he was of the opinion that the middle class is suffering from a lack of growth of real wages.
While I am not sure of the growth of real wages in Singapore, judging by the amount of discussions in the political arena and blogosphere in recent weeks, it is clear that our middle class too are facing a squeeze. The impending increase in the GST is a good case in example. It hurts the middle class most as the poor gets assistance to cushion the impact, while the rich probably wouldn’t flinch at the increase because they can well afford to pay for it. The middle class are deemed sufficiently well-to-do to be given assistance, but yet, they are not rich enough to overlook the increase in the cost of their consumption.
In Summers’ article, he wrote that “college graduates have been particularly hard hit”. In Singapore, I believe that our graduates are going to experience the same thing in the not so distant future. Already there are telling signs, as evident from the retrenchment phenomena that Derek Wee famously blogged about, resulting in the whole Wee Shu-min affair. As a soon-to-be graduate, this issue is clearly disturbing to me.
This middle class graduate sandwich issue is not just a personal or social issue, but it’s a big political issue. As Singaporeans continue the drive to get a degree, in a decade, graduates will form a huge voter bloc. According to MOE statistics (requires Adobe PDF reader), in recent years, the local universities are producing 10,000 graduates annually. The actual figure should be higher if we account for those who get a degree overseas, or through private schools in Singapore. The figure is set to increase with local universities expanding their enrollment, and the Singapore government continuing to woo foreign universities to open campuses in Singapore.
While the older generation of Singaporeans may be more pro-PAP because they experienced the fruits of PAP leadership through the early hardships of post-independence Singapore, the younger and well educated Singaporeans are unlikely to be as staunch in their support for the PAP because they are conditioned to the success of PAP leadership, and if the PAP slips up, they are going to be less forgiving.
Therefore, what options are available to minimise the negative impact of the middle class graduate sandwich? The first step, which is probably the hardest step, is simply to make Singaporeans face the brutal reality. The romantic notion of study hard, get a degree and a well-paying job for the rest of your life has to go out of the window. This notion might well be true in the times of our parents, but it is not true today.
With increasingly powerful communications technology, it is increasing easy for companies to outsource jobs to countries with lower labour costs but yet not affect productivity (an example would be how many hospitals in developed countries are outsourcing radiological services to India, where a professional Indian radiologist can provide the same service at a faction of the cost and relay the information back instantly through the Internet). Well-educated Singaporeans must realise that this is the reality of life today, and that job stability is no longer possible. Unfortunately, recognition of the reality is hard to achieve because our parents still harbour the romantic notion of yesteryear and perpetuate it.
Recognising the truth is just the first step. What then can Singaporean graduates do to prevent themselves from being sandwiched right in the middle? I think the answer lies in developing knowledge industries. The Singaporean government clearly recognises that in its drive towards the life sciences, and more recently, digital media. While there has been some criticisms of Singapore’s push to be a leader in the biomedical industry, the underlying idea is sound. In the knowledge industry, labour cost is less of a consideration compared to other industries. There may be various reasons for this, but I suspect that the biggest reason is because profits in such industries are made not by cutting costs, but by generating more and more products.
Knowledge commodities are usually protected by patents for a number of years, usually numbering in decades at the minimum. With patents insulating the product from competition, high profit margins are assured, resulting in lesser reasons to cut costs. In addition, the generation of quality knowledge commodities require quality input, which does not come cheap. Those in knowledge industries recognise that they have to pay more in order to generate quality output. The key to profits in the knowledge industry is to generate more and more patented products, and not scrimping on labour costs.
Therefore, I think that the Singapore government must try and alter the mindsets of the young people and get them to aspire for jobs in knowledge industries. This should start in secondary schools and junior colleges, with programmes designed to help stimulate interest in research work. And, research work should not be narrowly defined to just the laboratories of the physical sciences. There are other fields where creative research are profitable and valued as well, such as entertainment and gaming. At least for the next generation of Singaporeans, the knowledge industry still provides a good option for graduates to avoid being squeezed by the negative impact of globalization.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Aaron Ng on 12/12/2006 at 11:32 am, and is filed under Perspective. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 5 years ago
Hi,
I am a graduate with a master’s degree and I dont want to have to work in McDonalds when I am older.
I just want to know how true this so called squeeze is and is there a way out of the problem.
about 5 years ago
I would imagine that it would be politically costly for them to directly convince the youth that they cannot build such castles in the air anymore. Anyway, there is only so much top-down rhetoric can work. Most people have a allergy to top-down approaches.
Instead, I am hopeful that they would demonstrate alternative life-paths to the youths. To help foster a society that is accepting of alternatives and a never-say die attitude. They have been doing this with the many programs MCYS has organised for the youths. However, more could be done. Restrictions and fear of authority & disapproval have to be eased too.
Ultimately, it is up to the youth to decide how they want to approach life and its challenges.
about 5 years ago
Well juicybaby,
The first step is to look at how much you are saving now. If you manage to accumulate enough wealth, you won’t have to work in McDonalds when you are older.
The next step is to think whether your current job could be lost to someone else in another country who can do the same job for a fraction of the price. If so, you better make plans. There is no one sure way out. You just have to look at the situation and adjust accordingly.
about 5 years ago
Well Charissa,
You are right that it is politically costly to tell the truth, but it is also politically costly not to tell the truth and have a big, disgruntled middle class in 10 – 20 years time. Which is the better option? History has proven that Singaporeans are fine with taking the bitter pill first. The government has implemented many unpopular policies in the past and has not been voted out of power for adopting this approach because eventually, all went well. I am not so sure about going the reverse of the tried and tested policy.
I would say that demonstration of an alternative life-path is the next step after recognition that there’s a big problem coming up ahead. Unless we get the problematic notion out of the head, even if you promote an “alternative” life-path, if it does not work out in the end, people are going to get upset, and maybe even more upset because not only does the alternative not work, the old romantic notion isn’t working too. It’s double whammy.
While youths should decide how they want to approach life and face challenges, I think we have to prepare them for the brutal future. I think our people are capable enough to think of how to fend for themselves if we teach them the right things from the beginning.
about 5 years ago
You are wrong Aaron, that knowledge industries are more immune to globalisation. I was at a Singapore digital animation studio who got axed after the boss sent the work to China, where their animators are paid less than S$600 a month.
The only knowledge industry in Singapore which guarantees employment and high pay is the knowledge of politics with a distinction in PAP politics.
about 5 years ago
Many Singaporeans tend to only apply to jobs within the state and not able to dream beyond that.
Do you have to be employed or could you become the employer?
Do you have to compete with local talents coming into SG or could you compete for jobs in other countries?
Do you have to pursue a degree within SG or could you pursue undergraduate or graduate studies overseas?
Do you have to wait till you retire before you migrate to au/cdn/us or could you live/work overseas now and retire anywhere you choose?
If you look at how the Chinese/Indian FT are doing it, you might find a clue on how to get out of this middle class sandwich. For example, they pursue their masters/phd in SG and take up a job locally or apply to western countries for more studies or work from here. Singaporeans have an advantage in that their command of English is superior than most of these people mentioned above. But many could not see this as a possibility. They see the obstacles and difficulties in getting there. Many Singaporeans after graduation would rather go for the paycheck today than be a student all over again in a foreign country.
To be in the knowledge industry, a master/phd will be important. To avoid being a middle class graduate, especially after turning 40, a graduate degree from a foreign distinguished university will distinguish you from the other graduates (locally or foreign).
JS TAN is a NUS grad, worked in SG for several years before pursuing a phd in Canada. He is now working in USA, and with him is his Singaporean wife and 2 Canadian kids.
about 5 years ago
Hi Globalisation Victim,
I think you misunderstood what is knowledge industry. Those who engage in the technical aspects of production are workers not unlike a technician. That is not knowledge industry. When I talk about knowledge industry, I refer to the people who actively conceptualise and research, come up with a workable product for the market. With the product, they can subsequently hire the managers, the production specialists or whatever to execute the job of bringing the new product to the market. At this phase, the usual outsourcing to cheaper labour markets will come in. The point here is to avoid being stuck in the later phase where we will face intense competition and move up to the creation phase, where we will be more insulated from the effects of globalisation.
Think about it. Even in an industry such as music, who’s being paid more? The production studio that conceptualises new hits, or the singer that materialises the newly composed song into a hit? Typically, the one who initiates the creative process will earn the most, since he’s the one with the most bargaining power. If one singer is too expensive, just find another one who’s willing to sing for a lesser price. The same holds for workers in other industries. If you’re relatively replaceable, you have no job security. In the knowledge industry, armed with a vast amount of training, knowledge and expertise, one is less replaceable. At least that is the scenario for now. If in the future everyone jumps on the bandwagon, even the knowledge industry is not secure. However, as I predicted, I think the next generation is safe if we choose to enter the knowledge industry game now.
about 5 years ago
Hi JS Tan,
You made a good point. I think many Singaporeans are a little afraid to venture overseas. For those who did, I think they must be glad they did (like you) because there’s a whole ocean of opportunities out there. I’m intending to go overseas for a few years myself eventually to do a PhD and see how the world is like beyong Singapore shores. I am preparing myself to enter the knowledge industry because I see little hope in the cut-throat style of other industries. We have little to compete with China and India in many industries.
about 5 years ago
Hi,
I dont think any job is safe any more. Sure you can try to keep up with the times by retraining and updating your knowledge, but after a while people are simply going to perform a cost to value calculation and when they figure out the cost of retaining you as a worker doesn’t make economic sense you are out.
Based on my observations, the really rounded people i.e the one’s I really look up too as mentors, seem to be people who have worked overseas before. Their attitude is very different, for example, I used to have a local boss and whenever I packed off at 5, she and her auntie friends would give me dirty looks.
Now I report to this other chap who has worked in the US bfr and if I stay back he even tells me to get out of the office.
It may be a small observation – but I think real knowledge workers understand most of us in Singapore dont seem too – we are after all human beings and a job is only a job and never a life.
about 5 years ago
Hi Aaron,
You define knowledge industries where “people who actively conceptualise and research, come up with a workable product for the market”. I do not wish to differ on this definition but say that all S’poreans should just engage in knowledge industries is really too simplistic a view.
I was in the IT industry for 5 years. This industry like other so-called knowledge industries, requires innovation. However, it is sad that all the companies in the IT sector in S’pore, has a manufacturing industry mindset. An engineer is no different from a technician. If technical skillset not valued, how can a research and innovation culture ever take off? I spoke to friends in other industries and it is pretty much the same. Simply put, R&D is not highly regarded, everyone is looking for immediate return. This culture is so deeply ingrained that I doubt that anything is going to change anytime soon. Even the most passionated engineer is going to be totally demoralized and probably be better off selling insurance.
I have switch to the education sector in the recent years (a polytechnic lecturer). I realized that the S’pore education has not changed compared to 10 years ago. Any changes is more superficial than fundamental.
The S’pore environment does not promote R&D, either is our education producing graduates who will do well in R&D. It is sad and at the same time, a scary thought. I dun think S’pore is ready to compete this new era.
about 5 years ago
Dear Aaron
First of all, a well write article. I like to add a different perspective to this matter. Not everyone has the aptitude or academically inclined to go for PHD or higher education to specialised in a technical field. So maybe ‘knowledge-based’ job may be out of the reach for some people.
However, in a globalised ecnonomy, companies need more workers with international experience and exposure. You could be a professional, mid-manager, sales or any field, but if you have the ability to work across different geographical regions, there is a demand and value, regardless of age. To gain that experience, you need to start early and make some sacrifices early in the career. A choice which many Singaporeans are not prepared to make.
Instead of buying HDB flat, I took my savings and invested in an overseas education and found myself working abroad for a few years. I picked up another language and now see myself travelling across different countries. That early sacrifices paid off handsomely later in my career.
Likewise I am a NUS graduate but now based in HK and China, working for a European company. I was hired because of my qualifications from a European University and I doubt I will ever return to Singapore because of the low pay and limited opportunities back home.
When foreign talents go to Singapore work, they are basically clocking in their mileage to show on their CV that they have overseas experience. Likewise for Singaporeans, we should go overseas and build up our CV on international business experience. I don’t think it is an option anymore, it is a basic requirement if you want to stay viable or be valued in the market.
about 5 years ago
I think it is very important to appreciate organizational success as a society, individual or institution isn’t necessarily based on the path of linearity – this may be difficult to grasp in Singapore, but in the West, it is not unusual to come across brick layers who have managed to successfully claw their way through night school to earn a degree only to aspire to positions of influence and power – contrary to popular belief these individuals bring a tremendous amount of life experience to the table from having either worked as brick layers, waiters, actors, artiste or simply train drivers – the trouble with Singapore is we typically do not tap into this vast latent resource, neither do we recognize their life experience as having an intrinsic value. It is in all cases often wasted and dismissed – that is why you get nincompoops saying journalist should only write because they are trained to write while the rest of you people aren’t – from this sort of statement you can more or less sum up the state of affairs and why our local rag continues to languish somewhere between the Baghdad post and the Timbuktu Daily.
But for anything short of a paradigm shift to take place – we as a society need to be more tolerant of different groups in blogosphere – they may not fit nicely into your definition of a pigeon hole, but if you allow people to be and let them express themselves freely, you will find people can often surprise you in ways and means which you hardly either thought possible or could possibly have imagined – that my friend is real knowledge, that is what differentiates the house painter from the aspiring Leonardo or Michelangelo – that is the only to create real value.
about 5 years ago
I tink the Sg govt shld nuture passion in students. If the govt could allow a more liberal society in SG, each individual could haf more freedom to perform towards his/her ability and interest rather for the interest of the country (recent promoting of Entrepreneurship). How many succeeded and how many failed in starting their own business, this the govt never reveal to its citizen abt. M so disappointed!!!
I wonder if you plp here would agree with my observations on the younger generation that they tend to be more materialistic than passion driven. I love toking to O’ n A’ level holders abt the route they choose for their tertiary education. Most of them chose the course mainly for the good $$ that comes with it aft graduation. Look at engineering, it was a ‘hot’ during my time i the 80s n 90s, now engineering graduates are simply expandables. Yes human is greedy, if not where comes all the advanced technologies. However, to be blinded by greed will lead a person nowhere.
In conclusion, many of our younger generation simply lack of ‘soul’ n understanding the meanings in life.
*Apologize for my poor command of English*
*Feel free to criticise (logically) on what i have written, Thanks!!!*
about 5 years ago
Similarly, that’s exactly why there is the Life Science bubble (which is starting to pop as people realise that nothing is happening.)
We can’t say we don’t like research. Everyone who studies a pure science hopes to clinch a job at some research agency. While it is true that there should be more support of encouraging research in the arts and social scene, what benefits does the Gahmen see there?
As much as i don’t want to think it, we have been preached from the very beginning that scientific research, being a research/education/everything hub is the way forward. What room does this leave for arts?
David Marshal commented in an interview before he passed away that Singaporeans are soulless. Because we are obsessing over results and results. True everyone does that. But it has reached a point where schools drop literature because it’s hard to score and people who study arts are always sneered at by science students saying that they can’t do well enough.
Similarly, has enough been done to promote R&D? We are taught in schools not to think but to regurgitate – so much for independent research! How can we inculcate a culture where people are willing to perform independent research?
about 5 years ago
Similarly, that’s exactly why there is the Life Science bubble (which is starting to pop as people realise that nothing is happening.)
We can’t say we don’t like research. Everyone who studies a pure science hopes to clinch a job at some research agency. While it is true that there should be more support of encouraging research in the arts and social scene, what benefits does the Gahmen see there?
As much as i don’t want to think it, we have been preached from the very beginning that scientific research, being a research/education/everything hub is the way forward. What room does this leave for arts?
David Marshal commented in an interview before he passed away that Singaporeans are soulless. Because we are obsessing over results and results. True everyone does that. But it has reached a point where schools drop literature because it’s hard to score and people who study arts are always sneered at by science students saying that they can’t do well enough.
Similarly, has enough been done to promote R&D? We are taught in schools not to think but to regurgitate – so much for independent research! How can we inculcate a culture where people are willing to perform independent research when people are always wanting to achieve results using the ‘safest’ time-tried methods?
about 5 years ago
Sceptic,
I do agree with what you say that Singapore cannot produce mass innovation. The culture here is simply making best buck in short term. And the notion of rewarding management with huge salary compared to R&D work implies that R&D is just fad and superficial consider as important. It is because of mindset that only management role can have a true rewarding and monetary career path in Singapore cannot be understated. The best R&D & IT engineer can only start their own company to continue their passion or work in other country where innovation is truly value and not overly superficial.
Innovation is not about job or work, it is about fun and inspiration. Sadly, these just cannot be found in Singapore in large scale. Only few mavericks actually innovate but then most that not using grant of any kind will rather one day leave Singapore to seek their recognition elsewhere. In here, innovation is about tight deadline, value for money, job only.
about 5 years ago
superman mentioned that he did not buy a hdb and took his savings with him overseas. good choice. but let me share my experience.
i bought a 4rm HDB before going overseas.
with a 30yr mortgage, i am paying
about 5 years ago
superman mentioned that he did not buy a hdb and took his savings with him overseas. good choice. but let me share my experience.
i bought a 4rm HDB before going overseas.
with a 30yr mortgage, i am paying less than $500/mth (from CPF). but since i am studying/working overseas, i can rent out the whole unit. i get about $850/mth (cash) from the rent.
Its been about 6yrs. my cpf o-account is close to zero after deducting for hdb payment. as what i pocketed from the rental is cash, i prefer to consider that i have “withdrawn” cash from cpf right into my pocket.
about 5 years ago
Well darkness, once again you have pointed out something that really hits home hard. We do not value talents outside of academic talents. While we have made some strides, for example, now we are recognising sporting talents, I believe we have talented people in all the different industries, but we have failed to tap their expertise because of a somewhat “thy is inferior” attitude.
I do think that the cybersphere is a relatively free space for now, and we are seeing many ordinary folks publishing their opinions, and many of them make alot of sense. I do hope that this will continue to keep up.
about 5 years ago
Hi juicybabe,
You are right that when companies calcuate the cost to value ratio, we are going to be less competitive no matter what, if we are going to be compared to other countries. However, that is just one consideration. The abundance of labour is another important consideration. Sure, it may be cheaper to go for researchers based in China or India, but if they do not have the abundance of the required labour nor the necessary skills, it might actually make more business sense to go for researchers based in another country where labour cost is more expensive but the returns are higher.
Ultimately, in terms of low end and middle management jobs, we will not be able to compete with China and India. I think that for now, if we can produce a highly educated workforce (say, 15 – 25% of the population holding a PhD), we would hold a competitive edge for some time because it’s not easy for any country to ramp up their researcher pool in a matter of a few years.
about 5 years ago
Hi Sceptic,
You are right that we still have a mindset stuck in the manufacturing days. We are not moving up the ladder mentally. Even in the local universities, students prefer to give model answers rather than take the risk to give innovative and original answers. (See this entry by Heavenly-Sword)
This is why I suggest that we need to start digging in for the long haul by preparing the young. Of course, there’s a problem in the sense that the teachers have been brought up the in rote-learning old school style and it’s a question whether they can actually teach students to dare to innovate or be original. I have no solution to this, at least I have not been able to think of one yet.
about 5 years ago
Hi superman,
Thanks for your compliment. I agree that being able to work across geographical boundaries is something very important. Yes, it requires some amount of risk taking ability, which many Singaporeans do not have. I suspect that this is the result of the “nanny-state” way of governing for more than 40 years. I do hope that the government publicises the achievements of those who dared to venture overseas and encourage Singaporeans to take the risk of doing so because there are only so many opportunities in Singapore.
about 5 years ago
Hi zj83,
It’s fine if your English is a little poor. That can be worked on easily if you really wish to. What’s more important is your point, and you have made an excellent observation. I am of the opinion that we are conditioned to material symbols of success, and this could very well be our un-doing because if one day, the Singapore government is unable to provide the same level of success, Singaporeans are just going to go elsewhere and leave the country in the lurch because they have been brought up to be materially calculative. I suspect this is worrying the government as well, as evident from SM Goh’s speech on the homing pigeon. I’m not sure how to change this though. I’ll probably pen down my thoughts when I have an answer.
about 5 years ago
Hi Guojun,
The arts/entertainment is actually a money spinner, but our government has yet to come round to seeing that. The Korean government has realised the value of the arts and entertainment, and they are now reaping handsome rewards. In the 1980s and 90s, who ever heard of Korean movies and TV serials? Why did the Korean wave suddenly catch on after the millenium?
The Korean wave did not merely happen by chance. It was largely assisted by the Korean government which saw the value of entertainment. I cannot remember which blockbuster it was, but that one blockbuster earned profits the equivalent of the sale 50,000 Hyundai sedans. The value of the entertainment industry is immense. Perhaps we should try and create a Singapore wave too.
about 5 years ago
Well Peterboy, no matter where you go, there are always benchmarks and performance indicators to regulate performance. This is a way of life.
What I do agree is that there should be flexibility in the way we do things here. Case in point: Tiger Airways refuses the boarding of a disabled child. Maybe it is written in the rulebook somewhere, but can’t some flexibility be made? It would have gone a long way, rather than to suffer the negative consequences by sticking rigidly to the rules.
about 5 years ago
Hi,
“I think it is very important to appreciate organizational success as a society, individual or institution isn’t necessarily based on the path of linearity – this may be difficult to grasp in Singapore.”
Most ppl darkness don’t dare to wing it, did you? Most of them live in fear. I for example have a morbid fear of working for McDonalds in my golden years, so that compels me to really study hard and be a high achiever.
So you could say for me education is just a means to an end.
about 5 years ago
JS Tan,
great idea! I wish we could have met earlier.
maybe it is not still too late to do something. thanks!
Juicybabe,
I have a morbid fear that I will spend my golden years driving taxi. My dad was driving taxi to put me through my university (NUS) education and I am forever grateful to him. If I end up driving taxi in my golden years, I think all his efforts and hard work would have been in vain.
When I first graduated from NUS, the economy was great and all my peers were happily married, settled down, buying flats, cars etc, I postponed all those plans and was saving up for my overseas education. No scholarship, no support, nothing. When I finally graduated abroad, I had almost very little savings left, if any. Many of my friends thought I was crazy. However, it was really a good experience and it is amazing to note that human beings can be extremely adaptable and resourceful if you push yourself.
These days when I go back to Singapore for holidays to catch up with my friends, the general sentiments seem to that of depression and lots of complaints. Most of them feel ‘trapped’ and that they are merely living day to day. However, most of my friends are not poor by Singapore standards, they all have well paying jobs and successful and yes, they do worry about their future. Most of them cannot see or have no idea what’s going to happen to them if they get retrenched or replaced as it is not so easy to find jobs at that age.
I don’t have all the solution but I took a path to pursue my dream instead of the Singapore dream. They say that the greatest trick the devil ever made was to convince everyone that he doesn’t exist. I think our government has a responsibility to tell people in Singapore that we do have a problem and we need to plan ahead. Ultimately I believe Singaporeans are strong enough to meet the challenges ahead. Pretending that all is well is not doing justice to the Singaporeans. Which is why, I support Derek Wee’s message of generating awareness so that we can all start putting our heads together to find a solution.
about 5 years ago
Studying overseas and venturing out of Singapore for more exposure sounds great. I reckon most P65 Singaporeans are more or less inclined towards seeking these opportunities.
However, there are two caveats for the island nation of Singapore:
1. Granted if most people had to venture out either in the early years of their career or mid-career, there is a likelihood that they will only be ‘settling down’ in many senses of the phrase at a later stage in life. So, you’ll have more ‘senior’ singletons roaming around the globe. Delayed marriages and family planning could indeed be a fact rather than fiction. But perhaps JS is one of the few exceptions
.
2. Lee Tsao Yuan once spoke of the ‘hollowing out’ effect more than a decade ago. This is in a nutshell the syndrome that is confronting many developed nations – of citizens packing up and heading for land of more abundant opportunities. While we extol the virtues of globalised human flow, the one major concern for an island nation strapped with limited resources is how citizens may identify with and remain loyal to their birth place, hence avoiding a ‘hollowing out effect’ or outflow of human and financial capital.
Is Singapore able to stem the tide? Maybe JS and superman would be in better positions to answer this question.
about 5 years ago
I have always felt that it takes two to tango, that the problem of elitism in the education system is the fault of both the system and we the people who continue to perpertrate such a system through our pursuit of A grades and scholarships.
Therefore there is a need for a change in mindset in society. However, with the introduction of IP in schools like Raffles Institution, things are going to get worse (kids will be forced to excel at an even earlier age just to get into these programs).
i agree with superman that we have to generate more awareness among the people, make them see through the word play of the straits times and begin to question the things that are going on in our society. I feel that the current government has been so inured to success that they tend to have the “i know whats best” mentality. For change to occur we must first raise awareness among people and then when the people are aware they can continue on to the next step. Otherwise every GE will be merely a repeat of the one before and though the people may change nothing else will change.
Finally, sorry for my rambling …
about 5 years ago
Dear Gen X-i,
quick comments:
1. on your first point. I think you are referring more to ladies as remaining single beyond a certain age makes child bearing a bit difficult. For men, this is less of an issue, as we can always marry someone younger. But I noted your point on the impact of delayed marriages. I had a good friend who did his masters at MIT while his wife was pregnant back in Singapore. Sacrifices have to be made, we just need to be able to adjust accordingly.
2. Just as we cannot stem the tide of people flowing out, Singapore is definitely not stemming the tide of talents flowing into Singapore. But do I add more value to Singapore today, I would say yes. Do I want to go back? That depends. Singapore government has spared no efforts to attract the best talents to our country and there is a huge machinery behind that process. However, I don’t think the government bothers to bond or establish ties with fellow singaporeans overseas. I know that because I have more contacts with European embassies here than my Singapore embassies. Embassies from other countries (not all) are slightly more pro-active to engage their fellow countrymen. I cannot say the same for our own embassies here in foreign land. Furthermore, we are labelled as ‘quitters’, remember? I am happy to serve my country if the need arises but right now, I have a distinct feeling they don’t really care or need me. That’s really fine by me as I am doing well overseas anyway.
about 5 years ago
“I think it is very important to appreciate organizational success as a society, individual or institution isn’t necessarily based on the path of linearity – this may be difficult to grasp in Singapore.â€
Most ppl darkness don’t dare to wing it, did you? Most of them live in fear. I for example have a morbid fear of working for McDonalds in my golden years, so that compels me to really study hard and be a high achiever.
I am really sorry but what if he did or did not wing it? Does it really matter.
I think this is the dumbest post, I have read this world year. You mean to say the only reason why you are studying is because of a morbid fear?
As for darkness suggestion, it has merits. This I certainly do not deny. I personally do not have a degree, but after working many years, I was able to get my life experiences recognized by a foreign university, all they did was give me a chance. I took it studied and today I have a MBA.
I also agree with what he says about bring valuable life experiences to bear many of these graduate these days who have never suffered treat ppl like shit, you know why, bc they never got shit in the first place.
about 5 years ago
Dear moh moh,
While there are those who have not gone thru shit and treat people like shit, there are likewise others who have gone thru shit and still treat people like shit. Its kinda like why some officers and specs like to tekan people who are of a lower rank in the military and why some regulars take perverse pleasure in ill treating those who are not regulars in the army.
With regards to people studying because of fear, there is some element of truth in that. Singaporeans have been conditioned to see the degree as something that can help them achieve a relatively comfortable life (whether that is true or not is debatable). We are conditioned not to fail ever since we face streaming for we are often told, explicitly or implicitly, that if we do not do well enough, it will be the end of us.
about 5 years ago
Juicybaby,
I do not want to intrude into your personal life, but if you really consider it carefully – the source of your fear has nothing to do with having to work in McDonalds one day during your golden years.
It has everything to do with your experience as a child having seen first hand someone who has to work in McDonalds during his or her golden years.
You don’t need to respond to this. You do not, let us say, I am a man of the world.
I shall however say this, your nemesis will revisit you again in one form or another, you cannot run away from your destiny.
One day even if you decide to a salaried person you may have to simply put your job and reputation on the line because you have been tasked with spearheading a project. When that day comes, how to you reconcile your fear with the issue of how it motivates or disables you?
Or alternatively, you may decide to venture into business one day. In which case you would probably have to stake all your chips on a roll and again you have to reconcile the matter of your fear.
Either way we ALL have to confront our demons or they will come searching for us all.
about 5 years ago
Superman
1. Oh yah, the biological clock does work against women, doesn’t it? But yes, something’s gotta give, whether it be men or women, family planning has to take a back seat in order to secure a ‘better future’. Unless, of course, Singapore men or women decided to marry and settle down overseas. Now that would be a separate consideration all together for the Singpore government, ummm… Btw, I like to ask, would you personally consider marrying an older woman or is this purely a no no for you and your cohort?
2. Give the government some time! Right now, there’s talk of support network for returning Singaporeans. Methinks the government will expend more efforts to build ties with overseas Singaporeans. Would you care to share how the European embassies have attempted to ‘engage’ their diasporic citizens? That may be a good starting point for interested parties and the relevant authorities.
about 5 years ago
Gen x-I , you talked about a ‘hollowing out effect’ with outflow of human and financial capital. For many of us Singaporeans, our forefathers came from China, India, Malaysia, Europe, etc. Did those country hollowed out 100 years ago? Given the size of Singapore compared to these countries, maybe it may be a concern. But I would say the total numbers or proportion of Singaporeans leaving (today) is still pretty small.
I like to see myself as living in the legacy of my great-grand parents, who went from Theng-Suah (southern China) to Siam-Lor (Thailand), and my grand parents who settled in Singapore eventually. My forefathers “quitted†China and Thailand, and maybe I may “quit†from Singapore some day (me still holding a pink ic). Did my forefathers identify with and remain loyal to their birthplace? Maybe. But I knew that they wanted to be buried in Theng-Suah! Maybe I will want to be cremated in Singapore?!
Will I identify with and remain loyal to Singapore? Only time will tell. I have a ‘godfather’ in Vancouver. He left Singapore when he was in his 20s. Lived in Canada for more than 30 years to date. 3 canadian children, 2 american grandchildren. He is more a Canadian than a Singaporean now. But he travels to Singapore, in recent years, 2-3 times yearly, organizing activities for his alma mata ACS and NUS. Maybe he is an exception, and maybe I am and will be one too.
Having citizens who are mobile is not an issue with Singapore only. You already see Chinese and Indians settling in Singapore. Singaporeans are settling in au/cdn/us etc. The grass is greener on the other side you might say. Have you wondered where Canadians and Americans go? Some like to settle in central America, where it is sunny all year round, while others like to go to ‘exotic’ places like Thailand, Bali, Malaysia and even in Singapore. Generally there are populations in the world who are very mobile. Singaporeans, in my opinion, are not as much so.
It is not un-common for example for Canadians from Ontario (east) to go to Vancouver (west) for undergraduate studies, and later go to Calgary (mid west) for graduate studies and then another province for work. Each time he/she switch job, it involves a relocation to another province (or state as they call it in the US). For them moving around is the norm, and getting an overseas job in California or Texas or even Singapore is not a ‘life crisis’. But they eventually will want to settle down in the city that they love to live in. A city that has good job opportunity and also offer a life to the individual and the family. Does Singapore today live up to the kind of expectations of the mobile world citizens? Not so much to me apparently.
Where I am now, I see hollowing out of the city. In Cleveland, the population dropped by 20,000 a year for the last 5 years (100,000 over 5 years). With a drop in population, the economy is sluggish. Businesses are relocating and moving out. In turn, people are leaving to other places where there are jobs. Chain effect in progress right now over here. You see neighbourhoods with houses vacant and boarded up. Housing prices are dropping. And the population is aging. I can see that this is what Singapore wants to avoid. As it has a low birth rate and aging population too. And I can see that that is why the gates are open for the foreigners to work in SG, and for them to buy houses (or hdb) too.
Will Singapore hollow out? Well is there a net population growth or loss? It is 4.3 mil now and the target is 5mil? It was 2.5mil when I was in school and first learned about Singapore’s population. By attracting foreigners, someone in charge is doing a good job of preventing this hollowing out effect all this while. In fact, I see that with the gates so wide open currently, it is too crowded for my liking. Rather, I see that there is not enough Singaporeans who venture beyond the Singapore shores at the moment.
Maybe that is why Singaporeans are unhappy today. Because they know “things†will not change. Those born before 65 (40+ age group) are too tied down and not mobile enough. Perhaps after retirement, that’s their plan. Maybe that is why the population of Singaporeans in Vancouver is mostly in their 50s/60s. Those in the 30s are (generally) not rich enough, because the economic crisis hit when they started work, and they just bought a hdb and a car. Soon they will hit 40 and that is why Mr Wee is right to worry about the future. But those in the 20s might be able to chart a future by starting work overseas, since the competition from FT is high today and will be higher in the future, and the “40+ Wee†effect is real in singapore.
Only by looking from the outside in, will you see that Singaporeans leaving is not something that is affecting Singapore only today. It was worse before at one stage in singapore’s history. I was at an overseas NUS alumni gathering few years ago and at my table was 8 other “Singaporean-Canadian†who graduated with MBBSs from NUS. And so gen x-i , to answer your question on whether Singapore is able to stem the tide, I would say that Singapore has been stemming the tide quite well all these years.
about 5 years ago
Fear is a very effective way to modulate the behavior of people – that is why it is the preferred tool of cults, repressive governments and corrosive firms – it produces the desired results with the highest degree of economy.
The same nonsense is perpetrated today only in varying degrees only it is dressed up to appear more serious than what it actually is, your teachers, parents, employers, religious leaders and even someone on TV will tell you need to do this and that, or else? – now consider this, if you decide to listen and go ahead without thinking first, then you have nobody to blame but yourself.
Alternatively, you may choose to deconstruct “fear†into it’s aggregate components – fear as a motivator or disabler operates insidiously because it’s primary engine functions relative to your degree of ignorance – the less information you have on the source of your fear, the higher your valence to conform, agree and be controlled – sociologist refer to this as the hamster flywheel effect – those who practice psychological warfare simply call it what it is, the mind game.
It’s the same reason why American politicians typically play the war of terror card, it doesn’t matter if unhealthy hamburgers, swimming pools, homogenous tiles and cruise controls typically end up killing 336.62 times more Americans than Osama Bin Laden did or ever will – stating the obvious doesn’t have the requisite element of uncertainty, it doesn’t induce paranoia or the siege mentality as effectively as highlighting the vague and unfathomable – it lacks verve, what the French would typically refer too as “le terror.â€
However, once you understand how the great lie works, all you will really do is sit back, pull on your cigarette, smile wryly and look at it as if it were a wound out duck doing it’s song and dance, saying to yourself, “There it goes again.â€
Some conversations are like drinking tap water, it passes right through you hardly leaving the slightest residue. This I am afraid isn’t one of them. Do you now understand Juicybaby?
about 5 years ago
In order to have good future and really live one’s life to fullest, Singaporean has to take risk. Risk of venturing in other countries. I have know all friends who work and live in other countries who never did regret the experience, and most actually ended up migrating to their country of choice.
It really depend on what u want in life. Some prefer to take less risk and stay in Singapore, and be flexible and adaptable to whatever come in the future despite the growing stress, depression and age discrimation here.
I notice that most ppl here lives a life of quiet desperation. They have dreams, but as they grow up, they live a life of survival rather than dream and ambition.
Where some of them take risk and work in other countries to expose themselves with more opportunities, knowledge and culture. The most interesting thing is that most find satisfaction and has positive mindset because after venturing out of country, they find that they have the courage to change thing and their situation.
about 5 years ago
JS:
1. Yes, as I have indicated in my earlier comment, I’m fully aware that the ‘hollowing out effect’ is not unique to Singapore. However, it is as you have said, Singapore as an island state strapped with very little natural resources, has more to lose than larger nations from a unilateral outflow of human and financial capital.
2. As for whether Singapore is stemming the tide well enough, I think statistical data are but only one way of accessing the situation. Yes you are right to say there is a net increase in population over the years owing to a shrewd move on part of the ruling elites to ‘attract foreign talent’. However, the next question we’ll need to ask is whether these foreign talents have sufficient staying power to make a difference in Singapore or is the island nation but a stepping stone to brighter skies elsewhere.
The way I see it, the drive towards consumerism ironically works out both ways for Singapore. On the one hand, it’s proven beneficial on the economic front. On the other, it has also inculcated amongst the nation’s citizenry/residents a mindset so steeped in material comforts that has, in my opinion, stymied a now belated attempt to cultivate amongst the P65 generation a sense patriotism towards Singapore.
3. Your analysis of the situation confronting the different generations of Singaporeans certainly lends a fresh perspective to the entire ‘stayer/quitter/disgruntled stayer’ syndrome.
In my opinion, the situation confronting Mr Wee and other Generation X Singaporeans has to also be considered in relation to the consumerist drive towards 5Cs and the (well-intentioned) attempt (on part of the ruling elites) to encourage earlier marriages and child births. Straddled with financial and family commitments that limit their social and geographical mobility, this cohort possibly constitutes majority of the ‘sandwiched folks’ in Aaron’s narrative.
But of course, mine could be a simplistic way of observing the issue.
Perhaps as a fellow Singaporean who have ventured out to foreign lands, you would be in a better position to offer the Gen X Singaporeans more astute advice on how to resolve their catch 22 situation. Care to share your personal experience/opinions on this issue?
about 5 years ago
Dear Gen X-i
1) on your first question. The answer is yes. That has never been an issue for me. I cannot speak for the rest.
2) on your second point, I might want to address this separately as I don’t want to deviate too far from the main topic. We are talking about middle class ‘squeeze’ here. I am happy to share my views on how to further stengthen the ties with overseas Singaporeans on a different platform, if you are interested. I only have one point to add. If Singaporeans in Singapore are already feeling like second class citizen, what more can you ask from overseas Singaporeans.
about 5 years ago
Superman
1. Thanks for speaking your mind here, I certainly appreciate this particularly in cyberspace.
2. The reason why I posed this question here on this particular post is to attempt to seek a deeper understanding of this (overly?) generalised political apathy amongst middle class Singaporeans – both based in Singapore and overseas. As you can see, I have hazarded a guess in an earlier. However, if you do intend to expand this (as in how to engage Singaporeans who are based overseas) further on a different platform, it will be great!
about 5 years ago
Sorry for another long comment.
gen x-i said “In my opinion, the situation confronting Mr Wee and other Generation X Singaporeans has to also be considered in relation to the consumerist drive towards 5Cs and the (well-intentioned) attempt (on part of the ruling elites) to encourage earlier marriages and child births…….Perhaps as a fellow Singaporean who have ventured out to foreign lands, you would be in a better position to offer the Gen X Singaporeans more astute advice on how to resolve their catch 22 situation. Care to share your personal experience/opinions on this issue?â€
1. Look at your expenses and your expectations. In Singapore, I used to spend what I earn. Even when my paycheck increased from $2k+ to $3k+/mth, I will always be able to find something that I want to buy. I had an alphanumeric pager (very advanced in 1995) for example. Basically, I was into the latest gadgets. I am part of the consumerism you mentioned. And I was unhappy at most time. Books by Eckhart Tolle “the power of now†and “a new earth†described this condition. From these books, I was recently (2005) enlightened towards some of the concepts taught in Buddhism. Arriving in Canada 6 years ago (2000), I started to rein in my expenses. I realized that all these while, buying newspaper, mentos, taking cab, eating out, sugar cane juice, etc. these are luxury items that I can do without in Singapore. Maybe it is the culture of the place but I managed to be happy without these material goods in Canada. Rather, I was awed by the beauty of the nature around me that I do not have to depend on the newest gadget to feel happy. ……….Another thing. Many Canadians “ta-pao†their lunch to work. Put your lunch box in the fridge (provided by employer) in the morning, warm it in the microwave (also provided by employer) during lunch and eat. By doing these, my expenses could be zero for a whole day! My main expenditure is at the supermarket buying food. I managed to keep my expenses to $300-$500/mth. So in my opinion, if you want your material goods now, Singapore is a good place for you, cos you could find them relatively cheaply. But if you plan to bite the bullet today, saving for a better tomorrow, the culture in Singapore might not be conducive enough for you to do much. Read the above 2 books to help realize your situation (I recommend “a new earth†by Eckhart Tolle).
about 5 years ago
2. You mentioned about family and having kids a couple of times. Allow me to share again. My wife and I talked about it earlier this year. We both agreed that if we have not taken this path (going overseas), we probably will not be having kids now, and most likely our marriage will be rocky, and my job will have been long gone. By going to Canada, while I was pursuing my phd, we managed to have our first baby in 2002! You are probably wondering how we managed to have the money for that, considering that delivering a baby at KK + checkups and diagnostics etc will come up to $5k-$10k easily. In fact it is very cheap to have a baby in Canada. That is where the system is different in Canada. As a family of 2 then, we must pay $64/mth for a medical insurance. This covers for all doctor visits, scans, tests etc. Only prescription drug is not included. So for having the baby, the total hospital bill for us was $0. Yes, zero dollars. We had to pay $12 for a one week parking pass at the hospital though! We had a friend in Singapore whose new born was hospitalized for extended period and they went broke! This will never happen in Canada, as the system takes care of the people equally, rich or poor. The down side is a higher tax, which you hear about in the papers about western countries, but not the good side of it. With a Canadian baby, we were given tax rebates, gst rebates and child tax benefits. It comes down to receiving a cheque of about $200+ every month! This pays for the diapers easily, while breast milk is free. The advantages of having a baby in Canada is well known among the Korean that they have an industry arranging for expectant mothers to deliver in Canada, get the passport, return to Korean and the baby not have to serve NS later. To take advantage of the system, we had our second kid in Canada too! In my opinion, the system is very pro family and compassionate and caring in Canada. In my experience, it does not mean that going overseas will imply delaying marriage and having a baby (you seem to allude to this in your comments). Rather, if you have to remain in Singapore, then inevitably the baby will have to wait until you are financially more stable.
3. How you want your marriage is something personal and I will not provide any advice. But I will share mine. The missus and I both agreed that having a big Chinese wedding dinner is a waste of time. 1997: We went to the registry of marriage, signed our papers, had a buffet lunch with all present and that was it (or so we thought, which is another story). By then we were already living together for a few years. We had to get that ROM cert because of hdb rule as we have booked a new flat. We eventually bought a resale instead and moved in in 1998. My point here is that marriage can be low cost too. One does not have to spend $20-40k on a wedding to be happy. We strongly believe that what is more important is the marriage, not the wedding. If having a wedding makes you broke, affects your marriage, then what is the point? On the other hand, I have friends who told me they made money from the wedding dinner though! But it could be a gamble.
4. Lastly, from the bottom of my heart: If you have certain expectations (for material goods for example), and they are not met, then you will be unhappy. The thing to do is to be AWARE that you are having those expectations. By being aware, you could question the necessity of those expectations and thereby be able to remove the source of your unhappiness. If you could be mindful, always in the now, have consciousness, being present, you could be happy anywhere (including in Singapore). Could our generation X in Singapore be awakened of the source of their unhappiness? (which I believe is due to an accumulated increase in expectation and desire for material goods over the years) Only time could tell. But the answer is in the individual. This is my opinion and is not a religious thing. And do read “A New Earthâ€.
about 5 years ago
I agree with Sceptic about Singapore companies not doing real R&D. Actually I might even know who Sceptic really is… Anyway, I once worked for a company in Singapore which supposedly does software R&D. It even applied for R&D funding from EDB. But truth of the matter is, the director of the company used the funding to offset the amount that he charges his customers. That way, he can charge a much lower fee compared to our competitors. The R&D money has effectively been used to subsidize our customers. And I should mention that the work we did were pure coding; no real research element in it at all. Whether you are successful in getting funding from EDB depends a lot on how you word your proposals. I am sure we were not the only “R&D” company in Singapore doing that.
Aaron, I think your impressions of patents are too idealistic. I am fortunate enough to have worked for a REAL R&D tech company in the US. I am a co-inventor in some patents that are currently pending approval from USPTO. It is actually not that hard to come up with ideas that are patentable. Look at ridiculous patents like Amazon’s One-Click. All you need is a good patent attorney and lots of cash.
Also, a lot of tech companies file patents to block inventions rather than to make them. If they have good reasons to believe that their competitor(s) might come up with a really innovative product, they file patents to create barriers to that product. In this sense, patents actually stifle innovation. I have mixed feelings about patents which I shall not go into detail here.
I agree with you that Singaporeans should become producers of knowledge commodities rather than mere users. However, as has been pointed out, we do not have a conducive environment for it. Look at a very successful and innovative local company, Creative Technologies. I believe most, if not all, of their R&D is still being done at their Silicon Valley R&D office. Why is that so?
about 5 years ago
JS
Words of wisdom and experience indeed!
I’ve just returned from Melbourne recently after completing a two year postgraduate programme.
And I have to say – as with your experience in Canada – that it’s a refreshing experience.
Life can be happy without the latest gadgets, big cars, condos or branded goods.
But strangely enough, now that I’m back in Singapore, I’m finding it difficult to blend in after acquiring a different perspective.
So I’m left to wonder sometimes, is the drive to 5Cs necessary for individuals to progress in Singapore or for that matter for society at large to progress?
Now I’m going off tangent with my rambling here, had to apologise to Aaron
.
I’ll look up the titles you’ve recommended.
If you haven’t watched it already, Singapore Dreaming, the acclaimed local movie production is as good as it gets. Lotsa thought provoking moments there.
about 5 years ago
Staying in Singapore, I can’t help feeling that the environment on the whole stifled creativity and innovation. Creativity and innovation is all informal process and freedom to create. But somehow, pressure and reality of the society and governing seem to hinder rather than promote creativity and innovation. In here, it is all about cost justification, productivity, economic success, and profitable business. Unfortunately, stressing on these factors is just too short-sighted and miss opportunity to create new product and market that perhaps seem unprofitable at first but has potential for bigger thing.
Unfortunately, the money-realism of Singapore environment is reflected even in the practice of government which seem to running the whole country as profit-making business, and thus place everything at cost-justification and return-on-investment. Little did gov know that the impact of such decision affect the social bringup of the youth who begin to follow the gov’s mentality of making money rather than follow passion.
The future of Singapore is created by gung-ho entrepreneurs just like our forefather did in the past. It is never created by enterprise, MNC as many believe and have seen. Sadly to say, I feel we have failed to nurture the culture of entrepreneurial spirit here but instead focusing on big enterprise corporate and money-making business. The world is not create by entreprise which on the whole is risk-adverse and precaution. The world is created by entrepreneur who dare try and explore new ideas, products and service even though they know that chance of failure is higher than success.
about 5 years ago
Hi!
This is my first time here btw. This is very interesting and I do agree with the assertion, the issue has very much to do with fear.
Or rather how fear dominates and regulates our behavior and responses.
My believe is simply this. We all have to choose how we want to live and it is never a good thing to live your life for others or to do because you are fearful.
It could be said even if you are very successful one day – you would have lost everything because you onced feared and to fear is to simply mean you did it all for the wrong reasons.
May I politely ask who is this character called Mr darkness?
about 5 years ago
As someone who’s aspiring to venture overseas, I’m glad to read about all the experiences of those who have ventured overseas, and I’m grateful to all of you for sharing. I think it affirms my belief that it is important to get out of the Singapore well into another place that is vastly different from what I am used to. There is some trepidation of course, but as the saying goes, no venture, no gain.
Karen, I think you might want to let Mr Darkness introduce himself. I do not know who he really is, but I do know he writes brilliantly, and there’re alot of implications behind his words. I usually read and re-read his comments a couple of times to make sure I don’t miss out anything.
about 5 years ago
I enjoy reading JS Tan’s comments and highlights on the need to make lifestyle and mindset adjustment if we want a better future. Even when I was living in Tokyo, I found it possible to keep my expenses to a minimal by sticking to cheap supermarkets and proper planning of my daily travels on the subway. (every cents count, especially when you are living in tokyo) I guess the key is to know the difference between necessities and wants/desires. Most of us make our wants/desires into basic needs and that can be a real problem.
Someone touched on the topic of entrepreneurship. I agree that this is what Singapore needs for the future but there are many existing structural issues that need to be addressed first. However, I leave those to our 1st world government to address.
Let’s look at some of the mindset issues. In my professional circles, it is not uncommon to find people who have previous startup experiences, careers in big organisations and then back to startup again. Most of us have stakes in several startups. I myself have small stakes in 5 companies of which 2 went public previously and 3 went bust. On a net basis, I have done well. This is not something you hear very often in Singapore. I admit that this is not something for everyone, but you don’t get a lot of this sort of venture seeking activities in Singapore. Just as we need more entrepreneurs, we also need more people who are willing to take risks on the investment side as well. However, there are no easy solutions on this. Our issues ranges from government mindset (some of them just don’t get it or maybe most of them), over-powering GLCs, small market, too few seasoned entrepreneurs, too many people who are clueless about the world outside of singapore, value system amongst singaporeans, our scholarship system etc. These problems are not something we can address quickly and there are no quick fixes.
However, my key comments are as follows:
1) you cannot find fresh perspectives and solutions within Singapore. anyway, no prophet is ever acceptable in his home country.
2) you can find new ideas, solutions and see solutions that worked in different countries. and surprise, surprise, Singapore is not really that great in many areas. We have much to learn from others.
3) you get to do things which are not possible back in Singapore (no I am not referring to illegal stuff) and more importantly, with some hard work, you come out a better person, richer on the inside and definitely more street smart.
4) you get to be more humble and tolerant. everyone in my company has an Ivy league degree and strangely nobody talks like WSM. there is always someone better than you. the concept of elite is very relative once you expand the scope of your comparison.
5) finally, you get out of our middle class squeeze. the definition of success outside of singapore can be very different in different countries. To give an example, I know of someone who never owns a property in his entire life and put all his money in stocks and bonds, retired at the age of 35 and basically spends his time working with startups and charity and plans to marry only at the age of 45. Why tie ourselves down with singapore’s definition of success and feel the ‘squeeze’, we should define our own.
about 5 years ago
“Why tie ourselves down with singapore’s definition of success and feel the ’squeeze’, we should define our own.”
Superman, excellent! I certainly second this.
Why chase after 5 Cs when there are so many other equally if not more worthwhile things to pursue in life?
Why select your schools or degrees based on what have been recommended by the government rather than your own interests/passions?
Why are we so constantly anxious about tomorrow when we haven’t live the present to the fullest?
Ok last one’s a little overboard – I’m just kinda pissed at times by the overly celebrated conservatism that seems to permeate all aspects of Singaporean lifestyles.
about 5 years ago
I have enjoyed reading this blog tremendously. I would like to share my overseas experience.
I am a Singaporean graduate who has lived overseas for the last 6 years. I was earning a decent income in Singapore but left with my husband when he decided to go overseas for his graduate studies without any scholarship. When we arrived in the new country, we lived on a shoestring budget. Our standard of living dropped (no eating out at fine restaurants, no movies, etc). We didn’t even have a TV at home. I “upgraded” from becoming a manager of a department to “queen of the household” (ie home-maker).
Earlier this year, upon my husband’s graduation from his studies, we sat down and calculated our opportunity costs. We weren’t scientific about it, just a rough estimate of how much we would have earned without any pay increase or promotions if we had remained in SG assuming we still had our jobs all these while and it came up to more than half a million! Our total income from his graduate studies stipend from the last 6 years was less than 20% of that.
But both of us agreed that our quality of life was way much better than when we were in SG. When we were in SG, we were working long hours, even on weekends. Our free time together was spent either the movies or shopping. But when we were overseas, the amount of time we spent with each other and our kids increased tremendously. The kinds of activities we could do as a family without travelling was uncountable. The abundance of nature around us was inspiring and humbling. We grew and matured, not financially, but emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. I found myself becoming more compassionate, more generous, more caring of others and more environmentally friendly. These gains are not measurable in financial terms. I believe that what we have experienced is something money cannot buy. Even if we had earned that income in SG, I doubt we would be a fraction as happy as we have been the last 6 years. Our families in SG thought we were making a huge sacrifice by lowering our standard of living, but my husband and I feel we are wealthier than most.
Was our opportunity cost worth it? You bet!
Afternote: We went back to SG after my husband’s graduation and stayed there for a few months. I was horrified to find that our overseas exposure has changed me so much I couldn’t really fit into the SG culture anymore. I felt guilty that I was actually thankful we were only visiting SG and not returning for good……