Working part-time at Esterline Sensors Services Asia, before entering SIM as a full-time student, made me realize the different working styles of different countries. For instance, though the particular company I was working for has its headquarters established in France, the system of delegation of work differs culturally from us here in Singapore. We, as employees are supposed to be adept in multi-tasking. Whereas in France, employees are often specialized in only a specific area, nothing more than that particular area of work.Occasionally, news of strikes or protests in France would spread in the office. It sets me thinking, does the difference in our own societal culture affect our way of highlighting discontent to higher councils?
Firstly, the idea of handling grievances with work issues or even government policies is culturally different in nature. Take this article for example – French Protests continue. If the people are unhappy about Singapore’s move or certain implementation of policies, our approach seems fairly civilized in nature. Through the use of our MPs, we voice our complaints and grievances. However, in France, it seems that riots and strikes are abundant in nature. Something that perhaps is culturally different in the way we handle our unhappiness. It seems as though such protest activities have been set as a norm in voicing out their opinions to the government for the French people.
Perhaps the only similarity stems from how we are both a mixture of collectivist and individualist society. Singaporeans driven by their own individual mindsets tend to bond together and try to get a petition, in a plan to persuade the government to see our side of the story. Likewise, the French, in this case rallying against pension reform, starts a widespread of protests and ‘acts of rebellion’ by “cutting the fuel pipeline to Paris airports and shutting down most of the country’s oil refineries.” Though it is a rather forceful form of communicating the idea to the government, but it somehow achieves its objective.
It is interesting to see how a common unhappiness allows individualist societies to become like a collectivist society. When the common ground is set, individualists may come together just for the purpose of attaining its objective. Traits like ‘great readiness to cooperate with ingroup members’ and ‘mutual sympathy’ can be seen, to ensure that their opinions are heard and help achieve the common goal. Though the different individualists may differ in mindsets, however they may be linked to a problem on certain levels, thus the results would only be achievable if everyone bands together as a huge entity to attain a more significant standing.
In local context,groups of uncles and aunties may be holding their own ‘mini-protests’ by complaining out loud. However, unlike in France, Singapore might never experience protests of such frequency and scale due to its implementation and enforcement of strict laws. In my opinion, our voices might get lost in the ocean of complaints or issues raised by others too. Does that mean protesting is the only way to show our unhappiness since it would attract much attention from the media and people? That by attracting unwanted attention, the government would then be forced to consider our issue as a priority?
Jeremy's Blog 
the french are very passionate people and they are passionate about everything. i dont think they have the same efficient system as singapore where we have MPs to voice our concern to those above and truthfully, it is hard to implement such a system in France as lets be honest, they are definitely geographically bigger than us.
kudos
cheers
I agree, but think about it,is it just the way we are brought up that perhaps makes us very passive in dealing with stuff? we always tend to take the lighter approach, like complain and not do much concrete action about it. Are we as Singaporeans ‘spine-less’ in a way?
Yes,France is geographically bigger but in context of work place and all, i am sure some of the practices are standardized throughout right?
Protesting sounds good to attract attention and gaining limelights from the press. However, i do not think the government will really care about the issue raised as the way to bring your message across to others is already negative through the actions/behaviors.
But if the issue is of great importance or actually create a big hooha in the public, then the government must then make right decisions on how to handle the matter at hand.
I would say our passiveness stems from a combination of complacency and culture. After all, in the Asian culture, dirty linen is rarely, if ever, aired in public. Shame is a very effective deterrent to Asians. Hence, we resort to drawing up petitions, organizing online campaigns, scurry to our MP because it offers a semblance of anonymity. Confrontation is kept to a minimum.
Of course, the above point can easily be countered by pointing at some our neighbours in the region *cough* where riots and protests are commonplace. However, we need to look at the context. They are having protests because their lives are difficult to begin with and they perceive increased hardship if nothing is done. Hence they protest.
In Singapore, we don’t see a need to protest when our present lives are comfortable and adequate. Decades of economic stability has made us complacent. Minor tweaks to the system which inconveniences us wouldn’t spark a demonstration. At most, there’ll be some complaints here and there. A month later, everything dies down as we return to our placid lives.
What says you?
Well, to a certain extent our political system has help ensure that our needs are met. Furthermore, our government does not have corruption, so our complaints are mostly addressed or at the very least assessed.
The influence we have largely affects our behavior and actions towards certain things. Being Asian too, i guess makes us more conservative and shy towards showing our emotions. Thus we would only complain behind doors, or write anonymous letters of complaints as compared to the western people who aren’t afraid to express how they feel.
Just think: Upon meeting a new female friend, Asians normally initiate the meeting with a handshake, Westerners initiate with kisses to the cheeks (e.g France). This only shows how much difference there is in both our cultures. So i guess people often stick to the method which works the best in their situation, and for the French, its in the outward way they show their disagreement.
I guess we as singaporeans are that passive in our expressions of dissatisfaction. We have been slapped with rules and regulations, and a huge amount of fines. This puts us into place and people often fear in voicing out our opinions.
Attracting unwanted attention is possible in making our issues known as there might be some form of media coverage. However, in such circumstances, we must be ready for the consequences as strikes here are not accepted. Just think, would you want to spend time in jail over some governmental issue?
I agree that Singaporeans, or rather Asians tend to be Passive Aggressive (complain complain complain- no action = so lame)
Anyways, I believe that instead of protesting- carrying banners/ posters all, there’s definitely a less barbaric way of conveying one’s message and opinion, no?
well, i think the attention is what people is banking on especially if people do not take notice. Sometimes exaggeration is the best action.
I personally feel that Singaporeans do not voice their protests in such a manner, for many are too cavalier to do something about it. It is in the nature of Singaporeans to complain, yet not act on it! (sorry I make it sound so terrible)
I think it is due to the conservative Asian society, whereby we do not really voice out our opinions, even if we are unhappy about it, especially to an authority like the government. There is this mentality to just ‘let the government handle everything…’ (yet still complain about it)
talking about the government, then are we too reliant on them to handle our issues?
Hello.
The environment that we are brought up in definitely shapes and moulds our perspectives on various issues. I believe that Singaporeans’ more passive attitude towards issues is very much linked to the education system in the country. Schools in Singapore did not used to place so much emphasis on encouraging students to speak up. In fact, many of us have ben drilled with the mentality that we should simply accept what our teachers have to tell us because those are the so-called politically correct answers. However, over time, Singapore’s education system has undergone a change. The younger generation of students today are more daring in voicing out their opinions. Yet, if we were to compare ourselves with the French, I guess there’s still a gap there. After all, Singapore is still very much an Asian country at the present moment 🙂
Generally, Singaporeans just want to be safe and remain in the in-crowd. Due to the strict rules and regulations, people maybe afraid to voice out their dissatisfaction publicly, what more talk about having riots? One wrong word and suffer the consequences. People will think twice. However, Singaporeans definitely have their way of expressing their dissatisfaction. It may not come in forms such as riots & protests. Instead, it may just be a simple complain or posting comments on their personal social networking sites. Riots are deemed as aggressive and not acceptable in Singapore.
I guess our culture as being inherently asian would be generally more conservative. Hence we are more likely to to voice our discontent through small scale protests within ourselves and comfort zone. However in the change in the demographics of how we can potentially voice our opinions has changed in the light of networking tools in the new media such as facebook and twitter.
This reminds me of the hotel workers protest in the US that I witnessed. People taking it to the streets to express their unhappiness. A very active approach. Singapore does not have the culture of active protest. In fact, going on strike is sorta against the law. So our mindset is, “what for create more problems from the small problem.” So we complain as a way to vent our dis-pleasures. In a way, many Singaporeans simply accept their predicament.
Another group of Singaporeans would just feel that the active approach takes up too much time. I mean like, by parading on the streets, businesses are affected, roads have to be closed, many people would be inconvenienced, there will even be noise pollution!
The empty noise we make is deafening enough who needs more protest?
I think that the culture of a society will delimit the way people choose to express themselves.
This is being exemplified in the case of the strikes which took place in France. Personal rights and freedom from oppression had triggered off the French Revolution two centuries ago. The notion is not lost as people continue to fought and voice out their concerns once their livelihood is being threatened.
protesting is the only way to get media and government’s attention! but of course, in singapore, it doesnt help much as our voices are not really heard by the government. guess this is something we have to accept.
Hi there!
I personally feel that protesting is probably one of the most efficient ways of drilling a message into the other party’s brains and it can be done in several ways. Says who that having a protest requires a sort of mob carrying sign boards or flaming people on the internet? That has certainly changed.
People have started to use innuendo in different contexts to carry out silent protests against the government for them to rethink their actions. In our daily lives, we tell a friend about our personal opinion, just as I do you, protesting to the idea that a violent or loud sort of protest is needed to attract the attention of the big boys.
As you have mentioned, there is more to just chattering like what aunties and uncles do. And as compared to lower-context countries like some of our western counterparts, Asian countries like us tend to be high-context and injecting second meanings to whatever one expresses can be subjected as a form of protest also.
But that doesn’t mean that the government’s going to bother. Ultimately, it only matters when the majority starts to kick up a fuss about it. You can’t please everyone, there’s bound to be some sort of an imbalance tilting towards what seems to be the best type of setting for the country.
Singaporeans’ may be discontented with towards the system, but to what extent is it?
eg. tax issues or cab fares – although it is constantly increasing, it is still considered affordable to the major population. the complains die down eventually and everyone just lives with it.
Call me a typical brainwashed-by-government Singaporean but I feel that protests are such a waste of human resource and time. There are so many available channels to have your views heard so why go through the bother of protesting?! Singapore’s simple way of lodging complaints is already more than enough trouble for a lazy person like me to handle.
I kind of appreciate the government for making rioting and protesting a serious crime in Singapore. Imagine we have riots and protests like that in Philippines or even Thailand. Seriously, it is crazy! We will lose out on economy and everything and Singapore wouldn’t become who we are today. I feel complains have to be made systematically. Letting your MPs know is one way or writing an email. This shows that Singaporeans have a calm and nice side. We setting unhappiness in a very civil manner. Imagine everyone protest on the roads, the government would change policies haphazardly, and not after a serious thought about it armed with stats and advice. Although some of us may feel that it is a very slow way, but think about it, I rather the government spend some time to think about it and make useful changes, than change policies just because we voice unhappiness, that is not a way of solving problems.