Singapore Culture

Singapore Culture

When mentioned Singapore Culture, Singaporeans (hopefully not the foreigners too) would probably wave it off with an "arg, as though Singapore has any culture." Does Singapore really have no culture to call its own? Or are we too blinded and mesmerized by other countries' cultures that Singapore just seem so bland.

Singapore is bursting with culture, and it does not need anyone to be superbly observant to notice this. Our multi-racial society is a huge contribution to shaping Singapore's own culture. And who says culture has to have only 1 or few identity? We might have been too caught up with digging and searching for 1 identity to represent the whole that we overlooked Singapore's rich diverse cultures. 

Singapore stands out because of our diverse ethnic groups. We are like a kaleidoscope; the many mirrors represent our different ethic groups. Like how the reflection of the mirrors creates unique and magnificent patterns, our differences are what gives Singapore her rich and authentic cultures. Instead of lamenting that Singapore's culture is copied from elsewhere and has no originality, we can take the perspective that ours is a bundle of cultures from all over the world. Moreover, with such differences, our ability to stay together harmoniously, even better, give way and complement each other, is what makes Singapore special.

Of course, our kiasu-ism, our repressed freedom of expression, and our inability to accept extreme sterotyped people/actions are much detested. People stand for hours for free goodies, parents queue up for their kids' school enrollment, 'chopping' seats with tissue packets, waiting till the last half hour to get half priced sushi at Carrefour, our ever-so-silent speakers' corner, dutifully paying taxes and fines, making small noises during bus fare hike only to eventually die down, looking at people with piercings/tattoos/gays with a different eye.. such are things that makes us feel ugly as Singaporeans. But who is to say that other countries do not have their ugly sides as well? The difference is that while Singaporeans would probably think that cos of these, there is nothing else to be proud of, other countries focus on their positive side and bring that out to shine as their own culture.

Singapore has its warm nature to be proud of. We are able to live together harmoniously with this greatly diversed ethnicity around us. While other countries are unable to accomodate just 1 race that is different from the majority, we are able to adapt and understand the ethnic differences. I think this is a remarkable culture on its own, diversity.