A report on how Singaporeans as well as foreigners have been affected by this new attraction, was featured. There were initial problems on its first day but these are in the process of being resolved. For example, signs warning patrons about a long waiting time have been put up to counter the unexpected waiting period of 2 hours on the first day. Also, the food outlets are now open at all times as opposed to those who could not provide enough food then.
The negative effects are the way some Singaporeans exhibit such extreme xenophobia and the addiction some foreign visitors show towards gambling in the casino, to the extent that they leave their children outside the casino for a long period of time while they indulge.
The views of some locals towards the presence of foreign workers in the casino repulses me to no end. The possibility that they lose their hard-earned money is not the business of the locals. In the first place, do they truly care about that or is that just an excuse conjured to oppose the presence of the workers?
A few locals find it unfair that they are charged $100 as an entrance fee while the workers are exempted from it. This fee is really for our own good. It is our government's way of looking out for us. It deters us from getting addicted to the vice. Perhaps they are getting addicted and hence complain about it? A comment that bigger players a.k.a those who fork out a lot of money gambling, should be catered more to, confirms my previous statement.
They are also unhappy about the workers taking too many drinks. The drinks are free and so any patron has the right to take as many as he wants. The casino has clarified this point. I think the locals are just being prejudiced towards the foreign workers. I do not hear them complaining about the foreign tourists. Besides, there are locals who exhibit bad behaviour as well. Some local gamblers verbally express themselves in such a way as to cause more civilized patrons to cringe. The complainers really know how to choose their battles.
Thank goodness there are also mature locals who feel differently. The casino is for anyone who meets the requirements imposed on its guests, regardless of nationality. The foreign workers work very hard for their families and need to find ways to take breaks from their tiring jobs, so as to reenergise themselves. Why make it difficult for them by such complaints? The spokesman from the casino said something which summarises things best. He implied that foreign workers are the foundation stones beneath our buildings, specifically the IRs. In this case, there is no reason for us to be so biased towards them.
Some foreign patrons regard gambling as more important than their own flesh and blood. It can be that this vice has a very strong grip on its addicts but I prefer to believe that their self-discipline is sorely lacking. The worse thing is that some children have no adult to look after them. If anything should happen to them, it is the parents' fault. It is heartbreaking to read about them feeling bored and only coming alive whenever performances are held. In order to pass time, some played with the plants nearby. Can anyone blame them? They are forced to wait till night in some cases. Thankfully, RWS has included a kids' club to cater to such cases. :)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Shopping malls
Rohit Brijnath wrote an article on how he prefers the old way of shopping ie. wet markets and small shops. It strikes a poignant note with me, as I am a nostalgic person as well. He mentions shops which sell bales of fabric amongst others. Toa Payoh is the place I always think of with regards to these shops. They have been there from the time I was a toddler.
At the same time, he injects humour and original descriptions into his article. He is a riot to read :) I agree with his rant over the lack of seats in malls. Sometimes, visual and physical fatigue takes over after a long time of browsing. That is when we really long to rest our legs. Just as he knows men who like malls, my god-brother likes to shop in them too :)
I feel poignant whenever I walk past the wet market in my estate too. My mum used to take me to the wet market whenever she needed to prepare for the day's meals. I remember covering my nostrils whenever we walked past the fish stall. I could never stand the smell of uncooked fish and still cannot. I remember anticipating the end of her purchases as that would indicate her walk to the barbecued pork food stall to buy barbecued spare ribs for me. That was my favourite snack. I have not eaten it ever since I was a child. Perhaps it is a subconscious way of retaining the sweet memories associated with it, albeit in an different way. It is as if I don't want to touch their precious fragility and want to encase them in a glass dome forever, afraid that they will disappear if I approach them again. It is like wanting time to stand still.
He yearns for real interaction and friendship between customer and salesperson in the said industry. Yes, it is a rarity being able to gain such a genuineness, since most salespeople merely do their job of selling the product to the consumers. I am blessed to have had got this in a shop at Centrepoint. I entered the shop to look at the clothes but ended up falling into easy conversation with the salesperson. That was the start of a special friendship despite our different races. I would drop in each time I went to the mall, since she was the only one there. We are still friends to this day :)
At the same time, he injects humour and original descriptions into his article. He is a riot to read :) I agree with his rant over the lack of seats in malls. Sometimes, visual and physical fatigue takes over after a long time of browsing. That is when we really long to rest our legs. Just as he knows men who like malls, my god-brother likes to shop in them too :)
I feel poignant whenever I walk past the wet market in my estate too. My mum used to take me to the wet market whenever she needed to prepare for the day's meals. I remember covering my nostrils whenever we walked past the fish stall. I could never stand the smell of uncooked fish and still cannot. I remember anticipating the end of her purchases as that would indicate her walk to the barbecued pork food stall to buy barbecued spare ribs for me. That was my favourite snack. I have not eaten it ever since I was a child. Perhaps it is a subconscious way of retaining the sweet memories associated with it, albeit in an different way. It is as if I don't want to touch their precious fragility and want to encase them in a glass dome forever, afraid that they will disappear if I approach them again. It is like wanting time to stand still.
He yearns for real interaction and friendship between customer and salesperson in the said industry. Yes, it is a rarity being able to gain such a genuineness, since most salespeople merely do their job of selling the product to the consumers. I am blessed to have had got this in a shop at Centrepoint. I entered the shop to look at the clothes but ended up falling into easy conversation with the salesperson. That was the start of a special friendship despite our different races. I would drop in each time I went to the mall, since she was the only one there. We are still friends to this day :)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Branded bags
Jill Alphonso bought a Charles and Keith handbag because it was light to carry around and yet could hold an abundance of things. However, she was initially conscious of carrying it around. She was afraid that the sight of its logo brand would cause people to have a low impression of her. Upon reading it, I was annoyed. This materialistic product cannot be brought with us into the afterlife. Whether it is Louis Vuitton or Charles and Keith, it must stay in this world. What is the point then of possessing such expensive bags? Nonetheless, I am glad that she finally realised that a cheaper brand is just as good. :)
"Personal style refers to someone who has confidence even if they wear a paper bag." I am not saying that we should wear only paper bags when we go out. I mean that confidence is an essentiality that complements our clothes. She seems to be hinting too that branded goods are merely bought for the purpose of showing others that one can afford to possess them. Strangely, they instill confidence in their users. Confidence should not be obtained via a material good but should be nurtured through life's experiences.
At the same time, I find myself developing a liking for tote bags. I am becoming more of a woman :) I like them because of their roomy depth which allows me to put many things in. This is definitely one of the things on my list of Christmas presents :)
"Personal style refers to someone who has confidence even if they wear a paper bag." I am not saying that we should wear only paper bags when we go out. I mean that confidence is an essentiality that complements our clothes. She seems to be hinting too that branded goods are merely bought for the purpose of showing others that one can afford to possess them. Strangely, they instill confidence in their users. Confidence should not be obtained via a material good but should be nurtured through life's experiences.
At the same time, I find myself developing a liking for tote bags. I am becoming more of a woman :) I like them because of their roomy depth which allows me to put many things in. This is definitely one of the things on my list of Christmas presents :)
The effect of developing technology
Brad Stone wrote an article on this, which brought out the frightening results of such a phenomenon on the future generations. His toddler daughter had labelled his e-reader as a book. They are worlds apart. The former is merely a visual book and the latter is a real, physical book. His niece too, had received a robot hamster and perceived it as a real pet hamster. Technology is now so dominant that such inaccuracies come about.
Such children will not learn to value personal contact between two people, the smiles seen on people's faces and the times spent physically together. All they will know is the images and voices of their loved ones on the video or web camera. It is the same for the type of games they play. Computer games have replaced classic board or physical games like Monopoly, Cluedo, Five Stones, Zero Point, Skipping rhyme games or Eagle Catching Chickens. It is such a sad thing to behold.
The frightening thing is that even though I was born in the 70s, I have iGeneration tendencies. I pay less attention to television. I used to watch so many more programmes.
He cited a psychology professor as saying that there will be a demand for instant reception from their surroundings. They practically overlook the fact that we are humans and not robots. As such, we will lapse in such instantaneous output. If we are instant in our responses, we will not think before we do or speak anything, and this impulsive nature in us will cause hurt on ourselves and others. Is that what we want to see our future hurling towards? Who else can we blame if that really happens?
We must do something right now to prevent this. We must ensure the younger generations are exposed to the simpler and classic ways of living while growing up, which are usually the truly valuable. Parents and teachers, do your part!
Such children will not learn to value personal contact between two people, the smiles seen on people's faces and the times spent physically together. All they will know is the images and voices of their loved ones on the video or web camera. It is the same for the type of games they play. Computer games have replaced classic board or physical games like Monopoly, Cluedo, Five Stones, Zero Point, Skipping rhyme games or Eagle Catching Chickens. It is such a sad thing to behold.
The frightening thing is that even though I was born in the 70s, I have iGeneration tendencies. I pay less attention to television. I used to watch so many more programmes.
He cited a psychology professor as saying that there will be a demand for instant reception from their surroundings. They practically overlook the fact that we are humans and not robots. As such, we will lapse in such instantaneous output. If we are instant in our responses, we will not think before we do or speak anything, and this impulsive nature in us will cause hurt on ourselves and others. Is that what we want to see our future hurling towards? Who else can we blame if that really happens?
We must do something right now to prevent this. We must ensure the younger generations are exposed to the simpler and classic ways of living while growing up, which are usually the truly valuable. Parents and teachers, do your part!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Dress for your age
A 52-year-old boutique owner was featured on the back page of Urban last month. One would expect her to dress sensibly but she was dressed in a sparkly bodice and a short skirt. The outfit may have been chosen according to her preferences and worn with a blazer to give it a professional look, but it certainly does not suit someone of her age.
It does not make her look young, if that was her intention, but it makes her look foolish and slutty. I apologise for using such a harsh term but that is truly what the outfit seems to make her look. She may be divorced but that is no excuse for dressing like that. Seriously, the blazer barely helps the outfit to look professional and her face still betrays her actual age, which cannot complement the outfit.
It gives the impression that she cannot accept her true age and thus she has insecurity issues. Age is only a number, and it is really the youth you have within that truly brings it out. I should know. I am 34 but people think I am much younger. It is not because of the way I dress but because of the inner childlikeness(and sometimes childishness) that I possess.
It does not make her look young, if that was her intention, but it makes her look foolish and slutty. I apologise for using such a harsh term but that is truly what the outfit seems to make her look. She may be divorced but that is no excuse for dressing like that. Seriously, the blazer barely helps the outfit to look professional and her face still betrays her actual age, which cannot complement the outfit.
It gives the impression that she cannot accept her true age and thus she has insecurity issues. Age is only a number, and it is really the youth you have within that truly brings it out. I should know. I am 34 but people think I am much younger. It is not because of the way I dress but because of the inner childlikeness(and sometimes childishness) that I possess.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Hot Pants: trendy or indecent?
Most wearers of such a fashion item are young girls and reading what one of them said appalled me."I know they encourage us not to wear...but you don't have to listen." It smacks of wilfulness on her part. I hope that she is the exception.
Seeing young pre-teenagers wearing it is still acceptable in my eyes, as I am giving them the benefit of the doubt in assuming that they have no intent to use it to flaunt their sexuality. However, knowing that a 34-year-old woman wears it to work is simply flabbergasting. She is a retail assistant and that is somewhat of a professional job. How can she be so nonchalant when she is asked about it?! It is one thing to see it as practical but it is another thing to wear it to work. It certainly degrades her professionalism and casts an adverse effect on her retail outlet. She is not a part-time worker at this age, I reckon.
Another equally shocking knowledge is the fact that VCH and the Esplanade are rather lenient with dress codes. I have performed in VCH a few times and I would not want any member of the audience to wear such an outrageously unsuitable item to my performance! As a member of the audience at Esplanade, I make sure I wear something decently presentable like pants or a dress as a form of respect to the performers. The theatrical operators may not seem to mind but this is merely proper theatrical etiquette to me.
I know that it is a vastly different situation in London because watching musicals is a common activity among Londoners. A man was wearing a singlet to the performance of Sister Act and he was not stopped at the entrance. It is not a common activity but a form of luxury for we Singaporeans though.
I am heartened to note that Les Amis does not approve of such dressing. Kudos to their discreet yet effective measure of providing appropriate outfits to counter this.
It is strange how some wearers are aware of the unwanted attention they get on their bodies when they wear hot pants, but they still do not opt out of wearing it. Though not every guy gives them lecherous looks when they wear it, the looks do make them feel uneasy. What harm is there then in wearing a more decent fashion item? Should they continue to wear it, the lechers may mistakenly think that they really are sexually easy to prey on. When that happens, it would be too late to harbour any regrets.
Seeing young pre-teenagers wearing it is still acceptable in my eyes, as I am giving them the benefit of the doubt in assuming that they have no intent to use it to flaunt their sexuality. However, knowing that a 34-year-old woman wears it to work is simply flabbergasting. She is a retail assistant and that is somewhat of a professional job. How can she be so nonchalant when she is asked about it?! It is one thing to see it as practical but it is another thing to wear it to work. It certainly degrades her professionalism and casts an adverse effect on her retail outlet. She is not a part-time worker at this age, I reckon.
Another equally shocking knowledge is the fact that VCH and the Esplanade are rather lenient with dress codes. I have performed in VCH a few times and I would not want any member of the audience to wear such an outrageously unsuitable item to my performance! As a member of the audience at Esplanade, I make sure I wear something decently presentable like pants or a dress as a form of respect to the performers. The theatrical operators may not seem to mind but this is merely proper theatrical etiquette to me.
I know that it is a vastly different situation in London because watching musicals is a common activity among Londoners. A man was wearing a singlet to the performance of Sister Act and he was not stopped at the entrance. It is not a common activity but a form of luxury for we Singaporeans though.
I am heartened to note that Les Amis does not approve of such dressing. Kudos to their discreet yet effective measure of providing appropriate outfits to counter this.
It is strange how some wearers are aware of the unwanted attention they get on their bodies when they wear hot pants, but they still do not opt out of wearing it. Though not every guy gives them lecherous looks when they wear it, the looks do make them feel uneasy. What harm is there then in wearing a more decent fashion item? Should they continue to wear it, the lechers may mistakenly think that they really are sexually easy to prey on. When that happens, it would be too late to harbour any regrets.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Double standards towards fashion etiquette
A viewer showed his verbal disapproval towards a newscaster's choice of dressing on Deepavali. Her silver-gray dress was unfortunately intensified in tonal colour on television such that it appeared as black. It is ironic how no one else filed a similar complaint. Even the president of a Hindu temple acknowledged that different settings give allowance to different codes of dressing, and the practical setting of a news bulletin complemented the colour of the dress. The viewer seems to have overlooked this.
Now that it has been proven that it was due to the camera that the dress appeared darker, it would be good if he extends an apology to the newscaster. Contradictions are noted in his comment to the media when he said that he "had moved with the times" and didn't care about the dressing on Vesak Day. If he truly has, then why is he complaining about the newscaster's dressing? He seems to be implying that he is thinking of the interests of other viewers by writing in but they did not express any negative opinions towards her dressing. Strange, is it not?
Now that it has been proven that it was due to the camera that the dress appeared darker, it would be good if he extends an apology to the newscaster. Contradictions are noted in his comment to the media when he said that he "had moved with the times" and didn't care about the dressing on Vesak Day. If he truly has, then why is he complaining about the newscaster's dressing? He seems to be implying that he is thinking of the interests of other viewers by writing in but they did not express any negative opinions towards her dressing. Strange, is it not?
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