The Nocturnal World of Ivan...

ARE U KIASU?

Home
jpj-polis online check
How to deal with rejection in relationship
Detecting a lie ...and jokes about modern day bitches
why do Mr. Nice Guy always finish last?
My drawings...CIRCA 2005
DEALING WITH STRESS
36 Strategems
Strategies of Zhuge Liang
Sun Tzu
Did the Americans landed on the moon?
How to solve life problems
MURPHY'S LAW
CHANGING YOUR SELF
ARE U KIASU?
THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI
Motivation
BRUCE LEE
Vitality
THIS IS IVAN LIM
Shin Chan
LAU CHING WAN
Funny Terms
PERSONAL GREETINGS ...
Woman
Laughter
THE REAL WONG FEI HUNG
The Sun
Pisces
The Moon
National Anthem "Negaraku"...
mamula moon..negaraku
Cute Babies
Smiley Face
Dar Chang Geum...The Korean TV series
Great wall of china
Its a Noctural Life...
Crisis in life
Frustration
ivan's mad mad world of...
Good Food Page
Enchanting Thailand
BLANK PAGE
ARSENAL !!!! ARSENAL !!!!
MUAY THAI
Enya
KITARO
THE RAIN...
HAADYAI TRIP ...NOVEMBER 2004
Heart Break Blues..
Friends
Enchanting Thai Part 2
Enchanting Thai part 3
DURIANS....oh no
INCITING ANGER
ONLINE CHATTING ..HAHA
BLANK PAGE
THE NO.1 TERRORIST...
Malaysia...my homeland
The many faces of Buddha
Words of Wisdom
GHOSTS AND SPIRITS
FACES AND IDOLS
My Photos Vol 1
My Photos Vol 2
Creativity
Thank you for visiting this site...
Favorite Links
Contact Me

Enter subhead content here

 
DEFINATION:
 
urbandictionary.com
Look up:
 
. kiasu “怕输”

Afraid of "losing out" to other people.

These parents are so kiasu! School hasn't started yet for their Primary One children and they're already buying tons of assessment books.

being greedy.. very very greedy...

E.g in a buffet restaurant
wa.. u so kiasu for what? one shot take 5 plates.. can finish or not?

kiah su - somebody who fears losing out (Hokkien)

"Dog in a manger  or Keeping up with the Jones"

 

 

 

Synonyms
Caring supremely or unduly for one's self; regarding one's
own comfort, advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, 
of those of others.They judge of things according to their 
own private appetites and selfish passions.       --Cudworth.
                                    

Keeping up with the Joneses

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Keeping up with the Joneses is a popular phrase in the United States referring to the common desire to maintain a favorable image in comparison with one's neighbors or contemporaries. To fail to "keep up with the Joneses" is to demonstrate one's socioeconomic or cultural inferiority.

According to "The Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson, the origin of the phrase is rooted in the 1913 comic strip of the same name created by cartoonist Arthur R. "Pop" Momand. The strip ran in American newspapers for 28 years, and eventually appeared in books, films, and musical comedies.

Kiasu is a Hokkien term that literally means 'scared to lose', but almost defies translation in the way it encapsulates a risk-averse, strategising, self-preserving mindset.

Age Group (yrs) Comments
5 - 10 "I know! I know! Like Mama tell me, can have 80 marks for homeworks, but must have 100 marks for all tests and exams, right?"
11 - 16 "Unfair lah! We are the most cham one lah! We don't pay income tax but now CDs, Nike shoes, 37° T-shirts all become more expensive liao!"
17 - 22 "Income tax lower... hmm... must ask for higher pay when I start to look for job..."
23 - 30 "Can pay less income tax, that's good. But GST going up, that means things more expensive. Must tell my boss to give me more overseas trips, then can buy things cheaper..."
31 - 40 "Wah lao! Zen Hu trying to kill me is it? Just ganna retrenched, income tax lower so what? But now all the things become more expensive, must tiao lao already lah!"
41 - 50 "Lower corporate income tax means now I can employ more worker. Wait a minute... with the same price, I can get more cheap China workers. Maybe I should fire some of those expensive local workers. So what if they has been with me for more than 10 years? Hey, I'm a businessman."
51 - 60 "Har? Si mi? Can pay less income tax now ah? Things more expensive ah? Yao shuew loh! If my ginnas still give me the same pocket money, but everything more expensive, don't know got enough money to eat or not?"

I personally think that KIASUs  generally have one or more of the following traits:-

  • iritating and lacked decency ...though at times they may look cute with their sort of funny  behaviour;
  • lacked the sense of security and had little choice but to embrace the religion of kiasu ism;
  • Kiasus are all driven by ego and self preserving attitude; cares lttle about others; greedy; selfish; political; money minded.  
  • disrespect the the poor and worship the powerful and rich;
  • revengeful.

From: http://www.saifone.com/singapore.htm

"There’s a local term Kiasu that describes Singaporeans so perfectly. I can’t think of an equivalent term in English… But it’s something like you’re Kiasu when you refuse to be second best or to lose out on anything":

From: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/singapore/0077020416.html

"...Which leads me to the local term kiasu, used to describe a person who is afraid to miss out on anything--so afraid, in fact, that he痴 willing to make a fool of himself trying to grab everything he can. "Mr. Kiasu" is a popular cartoon character who epitomizes the kiasu stereotype. The proverbial village idiot, he piles his plate high at buffets to get every last penny痴 worth of food, wrestles through crowds at sales to get the bargains, and will go to every extent to outdo his neighbors and peers. Unfortunately, he represents a real phenomenon among the young people, who are aggressively competitive and struggle to keep up with anything new. Stop by a bookstore and pick up one of the Mr. Kiasu cartoon books for a hilarious look at his misadventures and a bit of tongue-in-cheek insight into local culture."

Answer to Letter "Please improve the quality of pirated softwares"

"It is in our best interest to screw our customer blind protect our customer's interest and to sell them lousy excellent software at a rip-off fantastic price. We will whack solve this asshole problem as soon as possible. We apologized for this temporary lapse in our quality of service (we got quality 1 meh?) and we would look forward to you giving us your money your continued support."

-- Pirated Software Vendors Association.

THE BIBLE FOR THE KIASUs...

COMMON TRAITS AND BEHAVIOUR :

My hero!!

"Must win. Everything also must be Number 1." - These are just some of the typical trademarks of a Kiasu being. And if you find yourself displaying symptoms like such, welcome to the Kiasu club.

KIASUism provides KIASUs with the sense of security and confidence...  Be selfish, seek the best . Love your self.

MONEY, HAPPINESS, POPULARITY AND RESPECT ALL YOURS IN A FEW SIMPLE STEPS

RULE 1. GOOD THINGS MUST BE CHEAP AND NICE...AND YOU DESERVE  IT ALL 

CULTIVATE THIS INDISPENSIBLE  BELIEVE..THAT YOUR KIASU SELF DESERVE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING...AND THAT GOOD THINGS MUST COME CHEAP AND NICE...THE WORLD AND  ALL LIVING BEINGS OWED IT TO KIASUs; IT MATTERS NOT HOW LITTLE YOU KNOW,  HOW UNSCRUPOLOUS & UNETHICAL YOU ARE... MONEY, POPULARITY HAPPINESS AND RESPECT WILL ALL BE YOURS.

RULE 2. DOUBLE STANDARD AND  EXCUSES 

BE A FIRM BELIEVER OF DOUBLE STANDARDS ...AND THAT THE APPLICABLE STANDARD MUST  ALWAYS BE HIGHER FOR OTHERS...ALWAYS PUT THE HEAVY BURDEN ON THE SHOULDERS OF OTHERS...WHEN SOME ONE MAKES A MISTAKES DEMAND 1001 REASONS FROM THEM AND TELL THEM THAT THIS AND THAT MUST BE DONE..OFFER ADVISE AND BE THE GOOD GUY. 

DO DEVICE 1001 REASONS AND EXCUSES WHEN THINGS DO NOT FAVOUR YOU...ALWAYS BE NUETRAL WHEN THE SITUATION DOES NOT FAVOUR YOUR KIASU SELF AND TAKE SIDES WHEN YOU WANT TO  ELIMINATE OPPONENTS OR CAUSE TROUBLE FOR OTHERS.  A SURE WIN STRATEGY.

RULE 3. NON ACCEPTANCE OF DEFEAT AND FAILURES

DELETE THIS TERMINOLOGY FROM YOUR DICTIONARY... KIASU ISM WILL BE EXTINCT IF KIASUs ACCEPT DEFEAT AND FAILURES...BY HOOK OR BY CROOK, WIN AT ALL COST..CARE LITTLE. DECLARE VICTORY EVEN IF YOU LOSE.

RULE 4. BEST BRAINS AND STRATEGIES 

KIASUs ARE NOT LAZY PEOPLE...AT ALL TIMES THEY ANALYSE PETTY THINGS AROUND THEM  AND PLAN THEIR STRATEGY. KIASUs HAVE THE BEST BRAINS AND POLITIC STRATEGIES ...THE INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES, SKILLS AND ANALYTICAL POWERS OF OTHERS ARE OF AN INFERIOR QULAITY... SEE IT AS  SELF CONFIDENCE RATHER THAN  UNDER ESTIMATION;

RULE 5. DOMINATION & CONTROL

KIASUs ARE NATURAL BORN LEADERs AND GOOD POLITICIANS BECAUSE THEY CREATE ISSUES ...THEY ARE ALL BORN WITH THE TENDENCY TO DOMINATE AND CONTROL AFFAIRS ...MATTERS THAT ARE BEYOND KIASUs' CONTROL ARE SOME HOW BAD AND UNWORTHY. SELL THIS THEORY. KIASUs ALWAYS HAVE FUN AND ENJOY LIFE AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS ...ALWAYS  A STEP  AHEAD  OF  OTHERS.    WHAT AN ADVANTAGE.. CARE LITTLE ABOUT THE FEELINGS AND NEEDS OF OTHERS BECAUSE YOU CANT MAKE EVERY ONE HAPPY..SO MAKE YOUR SELF HAPPY FIRST. AN ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL SKILL. 

RULE 5. FRIENDS ARE TO BE MANUPULATED

MANUPULATE YOUR FRIENDS ALL THE WAY TO ATTAIN YOUR GOALS...AFTER ALL IT IS ACCEPTABLE IN SOCIETY. IF YOU DONT  APPLY THIS SKILL...PEOPLE WILL TRY TO MANUPULATE YOU...SO THE FIRST TO DO IT WILL GET THE ADVANTAGE.

GET MAXIMUN ADVANTAGE FROM YOUR FRIENDS...KNOW THEIR PERSONAL AFFAIRS AND USE IT AGAINST THEM WHEN THE NEED ARISES...BEFRIEND THEIR ENEMIES TOO...CONFESS YOUR SINS BEFORE LEAVING THIS WORLD ..IN THIS MANNER, KIASUs WILL NOT GO TO HELL... SURE WIN STATEGY. 

RULE 6. BROADCAST OTHER PEOPLE'S WEAKNESSES TO WEAKEN THEIR INFLUENCE, GLORIFY YOUR OWN SUCCESSES 

SELL THE IDEA THAT PARTIES WHO DISAGREE WITH KIASUs ARE PROBLEM MAKERSHYPER KIASUs AND OVERLY SENSITIVE ...AND HAS LITTLE SENSE ....KIASU s SHOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO PROVE THEIR SELF CENTERED POINT AND MUST DO SO IN COMPLETE DISREGARD OF THE GENERAL  VIEW ...BROADCAST THE WEAKNESES OF THE OPPONENT....INCITE  YOUR OPPONENTs'' ANGER AND SAY THAT HE OR SHE IS  SENSITIVE  IF HE OR SHE  EVER COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SITUATION...AND ANY HOW WHATEVER THE OPPONENT DOES MUST BE CONDEMMED  ...REMEMEBER THAT YOU DESERVED ALL THE  ATTENTION ,KIASU. YOU HAVE ALL THE SKILLS AND POPULARITY...  USE CHEAP TACTICS, BE TWO FACED  AND DO WHAT EVER YOU CAN KIASU TO UNDERMINE THE OPPONENT ...VICTORY  WILL BE YOURS.

7. SHORT CUT TO SUCCESS BOAST YOUR WAY TO THE TOP

INFLUENCE AND POPULARITY WILL BRING INCOME... USE THE EFFECTIVE SHORT CUT... BOAST ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW AND WHO YOU KNOW...IT DOESNT MATTER HOW GOOD YOU ARE...PEOPLE WILL ANYWAYS BE IMPRESSED. YOU ARE ALWAYS THE PERPETUAL NO.1 IN OUR HEARTS ...GOSH YOU ARE AN IDOL FOR THE REST.

 

8 .SPEAK WITH A FORKED TOUNGE

SPEAKING WITH A "FORKED" TOUNGE IS THE CULTURE OF THE DAY...NO ONE HAS THE THE ANALYTICAL ABILITY TO DISCOVER  WHAT YOUR HIDDEN AGENDAS ARE. ..APPLE POLISHING, POLITICS AND GOSSIPING ARE THE BEST WAY TO GATHER SUPPORT AND IS A WELL KNOWN SOCIAL SKILL . KIASUs HAVE THE IN BORN TENDENCY TO BETRAY ALL LIVING BEINGS TO SERVE YOUR OWN INTERESTS. IF YOU DONT LOVE YOUR SELF NO BODY WILL..;

9. PETTINESS  IS  THE BEST  FORM OF SURVIVAL SKILL ;

BE PETTY ABOUT SMALL THINGS..THROW A FUSS ... AND MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING. THATS the KIASUs WAY. HAVE AN UNCOMPROMISING ATTITUDE..BE MEAN AND RUTHLESS. YOU WILL GET AWAY ALL THE TIME..PEOPLE NORMALLY DO NOT ARGUE  WITH KIASUs OVER SMALL THINGS.  SURE WIN STRATEGY . 

THATS THE SURVIVAL SKILLS OF KIASU ism.  PAY ATTENTION TO SMALL INSIGNIFICANT THINGS .. AND  ARGUE THAT IT IS  PRUDENCE .  SELL THE THEORY THAT PEOPLE WHO DISREGARD SMALL INSIGNIFICANT THINGS  ARE CARELESS. 

WHEN THINGS DO NOT WORK IN YOUR FAVOUR AND THAT YOU ARE GETTING YOUR KIASU SELF INTO TROUBLE...ARGUE THAT THE SO CALLED  "BIG THINGS" ARE  INSIGNIFICANT AND THAT PARTIES WHO COMPLAIN  ARE PETTY PEOPLE. SAY THAT GENTLEMAN WILL ALWAYS DISREGARD SMALL THINGS...  IAND OFFER HELP TO RESOLVE THE MATTER AND YOU DO GET  AWAY BEING THE POPULAR GUY. SURE WIN STRATEGY

 

 

 

Kiasuism

25 December, 2003.

Dear Members,

I have a first-hand look at kiasuism at work in Singapore the past weekend. By the way, kiasuism isn't a totally Singapore syndrome. The English has it a long time ago: they call it "keeping up with the Joneses."

My guide into the world of kiasuism is Stan, who is really the least kiasu of all the Singaporeans I've ever come across. And with bland honestly, Stan acknowledge the kiasu trait that envelops the nation. He also observes that Malaysians who work in Singapore also develop this kiasu habit, and some become ever worse kiasus than the Singaporeans.

I can see a few things that we do here in Penang that may appear like a totally alien behavior in Singapore. For one, we have many hill paths were climbers are treated to FREE tea and snacks provided for by volunteers. This provide-for-others habit doesn't seem to sit well with a society where one's survival depends on grabbing as much for oneself as possible.

In my short visit, I saw how commuters refusing to budge an inch to get deeper into the MRT coaches, and as a result, the entranceways are jam-packed.

At a coffee shop, a lady diner was genuinely surprised when I helped move a chair for her. I think the norm is for the patrons of each table to act as though people in the next table don't exist.

I was also told that when Stan refers AsiaExplorers to some of his Singapore friends, their first reaction is, "what's the catch?" They cannot believe that an organisation could offer free membership.

I don't entirely blame them for becoming kiasu, as I see that even the government act in a way that is almost kiasu. I see it in the sale of the MRT pass, which includes a non-refundable and unusable deposit, not $1, not $2, but $5! So it is just to be that the people, accustomed to having to elbow their way to the front, rub people from more laid back communities wrongly.

My hope and desire is to find more and more Singapore friends like Stan, people who will be walking example that they are not kiasu when the majority is.

It is a sad fact that as Penang becomes more urbanised, the kiasu syndrome will likely increase here. One issue which Singapore wins hands down over Penang is the courtesy that drivers extend to pedestrians. In Singapore, the cars will almost always slowdown if you were crossing the road, nevermind if you were jaywalking. In Penang, doing the same is to hope for a deathwish.

Asia is beautiful - explore it!

 

FROM:  http://www.flatface.net/~legalizeit/article2003-08-09.html

Many Singaporeans are just looking for a chance to rip off someone. It's like how when the telecoms companies make mistakes on their websites, and people get irate because they're told that NO, YOU ASSHOLE, IT WAS A TYPO, YOU CAN'T GET A $800 NOKIA CELLPHONE FOR $5 WITH FREE SUBSCRIPTION. M1, SingTel, Starhub or whoever it is usually caves and gives the mistake price to the people who spotted it, but this shouldn't be the case. How the fuck can you DEMAND that you should profit from someone's mistake? It's gotten to the point that this has ceased to be news and it's general knowledge that you can take advantage of a telecom provider's mistakes.

Recently when that study found that Singaporeans were, to put it bluntly, the biggest assholes in the world, I just couldn't believe it when people started to vehemently protest, because I know from personal experience that the study was right. And I was born here. Let's hope that when aliens contact Earth it's not Singapore they contact first, because they will see what assholes we are and then they'll see the Phua Chu Kang SARS song (a.k.a. SAR-vivor Rap) and they'll shake their heads while they vaporise this planet.

Enter supporting content here