Douglas Amrine - Singapore at Random. Facts, Figures, Quotes and Anecdotes on Singapore

T he Chinese believe that the seventh month of the lunar calendar (usually occurring between August and September) is when the gates of hell open, and spirits of the dead wander the earth. During this month, it is inadvisable to do any of the following:

W henever something goes wrong, expect these words of comfort from fellow Singaporeans:

Wont die, lah. = You will survive this.

Die? Die, lah! = Whatever will be will be.

Neer mine, lah. = Its fine.

Like that, lah. = Thats life.

What to do? = Theres nothing that can be done about it.

The first successful sex change surgery in Singapore was performed on a man in 1971.

T he International Labour Organizations Global Wage Report Update 2009 shows that Singaporeans work the longest hours in the world.

Weekly Hours of Work 20072008/Q1 2009

Note: Data refers to all employed or full-time workers.

Heres a breakdown of the average weekly paid hours worked per employee, by industry in 2008:

The number of working hours would be far higher if unpaid hours were included.

Source: The Straits Times, 10 Jan and 11 Jan 2010

Here in Singapore, we cant even speak one language properly, and you expect people who dont speak Malay to understand our national anthem?

Marc Khoo, 26, Self-employed

I dont know the meaning. Maybe because I have not sung it for so long. Majulah means lion?

Xu Yan Qing, 26, Business Analyst

We are all busy with our work, so how can we remember so many things? Its more of the feeling when we sing it, as opposed to getting every word correct.

Bob Tan, 33, Executive Engineer

Source: The Sunday Times, 4 Oct 2009

The National Anthem was written and composed by the late Encik Zubir Said in the context of rising nationalist sentiment in the 1950s. It was launched together with the National Flag and State Crest on 3 September 1959 at the installation of the new head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. These three items form the symbols of state. The lyrics of the National Anthem and its translation are reproduced below.

National Anthem

• Ah Beng unsophisticated Chinese ruffian, who usually speaks the Hokkien dialect. He tends to follow fashion trends but is often lacking taste. (Beng is a common Hokkien name).
• Ah Seng perjorative term for anybody (therefore connotes a nobody).
• Ah Lian/Ah Huay female version of Ah Beng.
• Ah Kong Hokkien for Grandpa. Used to address any old person who is too old to be called uncle.
• Ah Mm (pronounced mmm) female version of Ah Kong.
• Ah Pui a generic name for a fat person. Hokkien equivalent of Fatty.
• Ah Qua an offensive term for an effeminate or homosexual man.
• Ya-ya papaya an arrogant person. Ya ya is a slang term for arrogant, while papaya just happens to rhyme.
• Keng Chio Kia Hokkien for Banana Child, ie yellow on the outside, white on the inside. In short, a Chinese who takes on Western affectations.
• Mat Rocker a young Malay male who loves heavy metal music, motorcycles and leather jackets.
• Electro Minah or Minah Rock Mat Rockers girlfriend; female version of Mat Rocker.
• Sua Koo a yokel. Hokkien for country bumpkin.
• Buaya a lothario or a skirt-chaser. Based on the Malay word for crocodile.
• Helicopter a Chinese-educated person.
• Mat Salleh or Ang Moh Malay and Hokkien slang respectively for a Caucasian.
• Sarong Party Girl a local girl who only dates Caucasian men, often abbreviated to SPG.