What higher standards?

"It is not the role of journalists or newspapers in Singapore to champion issues, or campaign against the Government."

If you remember the mrbrown incident, this is what a certain press secretary said. Assuming we accept that, is it not logical then the journalists and newspapers should then just stick to reporting the news?

Well, The Straits Times doesn't really seem to be adhering to the "higher standards" a serious newspaper should meet. Read here. Now you know why I only flip through the sports section in such a "serious newspaper".

I am Singaporean

I don't consider myself a patriotic Singaporean. But when I am overseas, it is important to me that I am recognised as one. I let everyone know that I'm from Singapore.

People in Canada say I look like I'm from China, or Japan, or Korea, or Vietnam, or the Phillippines, but I'm not.

I’m from Singapore.

When I speak in my Singlish accent, none of my Canadian friends can understand what I say. I pepper my speech with expressions like lahs, lehs, and lors. I know they don't mean the same thing, but I struggle to explain when you use which.

I don't steal or pilfer. I stun or kope. I don't pretend. I bedek and wayang. I don't watch over things, I jagar them. Things aren't expensive, they're just damn ex. There are numerous other expressions, some of which do not have English equivalents.

Even when I speak in my modulated tone so I can be understood, I have to consciously try to cut down on my use of abbreviations.

I can swear in abbreviations. LJ does not only stand for LiveJournal. CB, NB and KNN are not pleasant things to say. But I sometimes mutter them under my breath anyway.

National service showcases how you can be creative in with such expressions. I've heard a two minute stream of hokkien vulgarities before. It is also customary to ask someone if he understands when you are spewing vulgarities at him. For example, "Fuck you lah, understand or not?".

I know how wrong a service called "GBuy" can sound.

I'm used to having lunch for $5 or less. Roti prata is not just for breakfast, it can be for supper too. 1 kosong costs 60 cents.

There is a different type of chilli for every dish. Even french fries are meant to be eaten with chilli sauce. Thai hot sauce does NOT work for everything.

I don't drink tea. I drink teh. Teh-O, teh-O-ping, teh si, teh ping or just plain teh. I also like milo dinosaurs.

I know that when there is a packet of tissue on the table, it's been "choped".

I also know that despite their "A" ratings for hygine, hawker food is not very hygenic. But I eat it anyway, because it's so darned good.

I complain about low pay, rising costs and the gahmen, and about how shitty it can be to live here. I contemplate emigrating, but this is home.

I was born here, in Singapore.

I am Singaporean.