The Ambassador

Our beloved creature goes abroad. =)

From: http://news.omy.sg/News/Local%2BNews/Story/OMYStory201201170500-305173.html

本地观众不满日本节目　把鱼尾狮变吐芥末怪物

日本电视游戏节目恶搞本地的鱼尾狮，把代表新加坡的鱼尾狮丑化成口吐芥末（wasabi）的怪物，本地观众看了觉得气愤。

看过该集节目的网民“JellyLegs”在STOMP网站上指出，这是一种侮辱。

这位网民指出，新加坡的鱼尾狮闻名世界，尤其是在日本，在当地的广告和游戏节目中经常可以看见鱼尾狮出现。

最近，他听说鱼尾狮在受欢迎的日本搞笑综艺节目《Lincoln》中出现，但是，他看了节目后赫然发现，鱼尾狮在节目里成了可笑的怪物，令他觉得有被冒犯的感觉。

对此，其他网民也表示愤怒，指责该节目的制作单位太不敏感；但也有人指出，美国自由女神像也经常被拿来开玩笑，不必为此耿耿于怀。
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I felt amused when I saw the merlion in the game show. And I don't see a reason to get offended by this, since even Sgeans use 'merlion' to mean 'vomit' sometimes. In fact I think the idea is pretty creative. It beats just putting a flowing pipe at the top of the stairs, as it would be so boring.

You can see the video and more screenshots from this original Stomp link.

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/what_bugs_me/899588/merlion_becomes_wasabispewing_joke_on_gameshow.html

Anyway if you look at the pictures (or video), the merlion is spitting some colourless liquid. How did the Stomper come to the conclusion that it is wasabi?! It is most probably just hot water, deduced from the video which shows someone get scalded.

What people around the world know about this little red dot is probably just our merlion. Look at tourism advertisements on SG and there is always a merlion somewhere, although MBS is gradually gaining recognition. At least our national icon is unique enough to create an impression among foreigners. Just treat this as free publicity for SG haha.