Crazy Singaporeans

What are Singaporeans in the eyes of Germans? Crazy people, perhaps.

From: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_680162.html

Jun 15, 2011
German TV show mocks Singaporean practices
By Ashutosh Ravikrishnan


SINGAPOREANS: Strange human beings that enjoy smiling, getting their temperature checked and eating disgusting food.


That's what a popular German television show, Galileo, says in the introduction to a recent episode aired in early May.


In that episode, the show's correspondent travels to Singapore to experience the country's 'oddities' for himself.


First, he tries to enter a shopping complex but is stopped by a woman who wants to take his temperature before allowing him to enter the building. This health precaution against the threat of fever is mocked and ridiculed by the host who quips: 'Imagine if you had to be checked for a fever every time before you entered a shop. Sounds strange, but it is an everyday occurence in Singapore.'


The host then visits Nirvana Memorial, a columbarium in Choa Chu Kang. He is fascinated by the lights on display and first reckons he's stepped into a futuristic night club.


In the columbarium, he is surprised to meet a monk who is paid for his services. He jokes that in normal temples, monks receive alms from devotees, but here (in Singapore), they have money sent to their bank accounts.


Other aspects of Singapore that the show displays:


- Songbirds: They are depicted as Singaporeans' favourite pets, because they are believed to bring luck to the owners


- Singapore Paranormal Investigators (SPI): The host joins the SPI on an investigation in Choa Chu Kang, but the investigation proves futile. He quips 'Ghosts: 0, Crazy Singaporeans: A few'






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A few comments: (you might want to watch the video first)

Strange human beings that enjoy smiling

Oh really? I thought Sgeans are one of the glummest looking people in the world. I often hear people say Sgeans don't like to smile, especially service staff. They always look grumpy and think that everyone owes them something.


Imagine if you had to be checked for a fever every time before you entered a shop. Sounds strange, but it is an everyday occurence in Singapore.

Err...so far I haven't been checked for temperature after having been to so many shopping centres. He must be really suay to encounter it. Where is that place he went anyway? Couldn't identify it from the video.


He is fascinated by the lights on display and first reckons he's stepped into a futuristic night club.

Actually I'm quite surprised by the columbarium too. Didn't know such luxurious memorial existed. I think the lights are indeed too flashy. Personally I'm a non-believer. So if I die, just cremate my body and throw the ashes into the sea can liao. I don't want to take up space even after I die.


He jokes that in normal temples, monks receive alms from devotees, but here (in Singapore), they have money sent to their bank accounts.

Yea it's now the modern age of technology. If fund transfer through bank accounts is convenient and secure, why not? Devotees won't have to carry so much cash around too.

In the future they should invent online rituals too. You click a button to increase the number of hell notes you want to burn. You can increase to any amount you want. Then click another button to push everything into the incinerator. Done! Environmentally friendly, and saves money too! Even better, the netherworld should set up an online bank system too, so we can just transfer money to them directly.



Songbirds: They are depicted as Singaporeans' favourite pets, because they are believed to bring luck to the owners

I think more Sgeans own dogs, cats or fish instead.


Ghosts: 0, Crazy Singaporeans: A few

I actually kind of agree for this one. Personally I don't believe in ghosts. You see what you believe. If the SPI is doing their investigation out of entertainment, then I've nothing to say.


The show should go to Japan. They have more crazier stuff than us.