Even if you don’t keep up with local media anymore, you know Singapore’s seen some big changes since the dawn of the 21st century. From Singlish to the indomitable traffic summon aunties and uncles, we Singaporeans share a rich cultural memory.
But with the influx of foreigners to our land, it’s hard to say who is truly Singaporean nowadays. So here’s the litmus test. We’ve decided to come up with a bunch of experiences you could identify with – if you’ve grown up here as a Singaporean.
Let’s see how many you pass!
Maids are indispensable to us, to the economy, and now the army.
You’ve decided to stock up on “N95” masks so opportunists don’t rip you off during the next haze attack.
Infographic by Vanessa Poh.
You know what to order when you go to a Singapore coffee stall.
You went through the Jack Neo evolution. From actor to host to prima donna drag queen to newpaper scandal to the superstar director he is today.
You see foreigners chewing gum and for some inexplicable reason it makes you highly uncomfortable.
The kopitiam is totally a legit institution. Look at all the food options!
Meanwhile, in Norway…
[95NOK = approx. 20SGD]
Every year, there’s a time when the gates of hell open and your mum tells you to be home by midnight. She constantly chides you for stepping on burnt incense paper by the roadside.
And they were named Xiao Ming, Xiao Hua, Muthu, Samy, Ahmad…how busy and suay they must be. Don’t forget poor Mr Rajoo.
Most of your paktor adventures look like this: movie, dinner, jalan jalan in Orchard Road, supper, go home.
Ok ok, just so we don’t get an angry dude commenting again, here are 11 signs to find out of your Singaporean girlfriend is a keeper.
The masses have even organised a revolution, with an online movement dedicated to helping each other avoid her.
EPL, FA Cup, and other UNMISSABLE soccer-related news only take place at 3am, so Singaporean men without cable subscriptions must congregate at ungodly hours.
You find it absurd that the lady over at the SMRT pronounces Sembawang, Mountbatten and Buangkok in that pretentious uppity voice. This is how you, as a Singaporean, should remember your MRT stations.
No love for Joo Koon, sorry.
You’re immensely proud of this rojak of languages we call Singlish. How else to go undercover in war time leh? For a more comprehensive list of Singaporean slang, go here.
He scares you to no end with his annoyingly loud but very effective whistle.
Supermarket cashiers are more concerned if you’re a ‘member’ than how your day went. Welcome to Singapore.
You can’t have McDonald’s fries and nuggets without curry sauce. You also felt like God was punishing you when McDonald’s started to charge customers for curry sauce.
Singlish, Hello Kitty, and our trademark crazy tropical weather – who says Singapore doesn’t have a cohesive national identity?
Have we missed anything about growing up on our tiny island? Let us know in the comments!
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No more stressing over what to get your loved ones for Christmas.
Gone are the days when family photoshoots used to be boring and extra formal.
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Meet new-to-Singapore species as well.