The Bruised Ego? 11:25 pm

Orders mee pok tah, less chilli, tam pok ketchup...

You punch me, I stab you
It just may be pure coincidence. Rather, more possibly a heightened awareness; that of late I have noticed, regardless of the circumstance (at work, in voluntary church work, amongst relations...) that there is the occurance of the bruised ego.

Such laceration is manageable, but the defensive stances and mechanisms that kick in, in consequence, is something that glares right at me. Startling. Daunting. Rather disturbing. Person A's words and/or actions injure Person B's ego. In retaliation, Person B acts and/or says something in defense.

Seems perfectly natural in the natural world, but couple it with human malice, sarcasm, vindication, it only but serves to present the ugliest side (sight) of people.

Look me no up? Why look me up and down?
Ever walked into a local cafe, and seemed as though the whole restaurant turns to look at you, and for a few minute moments size you up?

Or how you meet an old friend along Orchard and you're with your girlfriend? And noticed the first moments you exchange greetings, YOUR friend is looking at your girlfriend (and not you)?

Yong and I have noticed this disturbing occurance in Singapore. I initially brushed her growing concerns about others who keep sizing her up along the streets, saying she was being paranoid and laughed it off. But I soon reassessed this.

Given the opportunity, on MRT, bus stop, makan place, anywhere in Singapore, people look each other from head to toe. If there is an "other half" around, a few muttered words will be exchanged, with their eyes trained on the "person" in question. I admit to this too.

But what is the motivation? The reason? I can only make wild guesses at what goes through people's head when the size me up on the streets:

"Wah! The guy damn fat la"

"Biang! His shirt super ah pek!"

"Hmmmm...think is gerfren taller then him leh!"

Can anyone shed light on this? Why do we Singaporeans size each other up like that? An insecure society, perhaps? I hear that in Western societies, such occurances are significantly less. Is that true?

Help me. Ask friends. Then drop me a mail. Will put up your hypotheses here.

Uncle T

There is Hope! 12:05 am

And the Heavens are not blind!
There is yet hope
In the mud and drudge of things!

Never say die
Up, man! Try!

Uncle T