Daily Lesson from Life 23 April 2009

"Thu, Apr 23, 2009 AsiaOne - Jackie Chan: Singaporeans have no self-respect

Action star Jackie Chan did not only offend the Chinese living in Hong Kong and Taiwan, his "speech of freedom" that drew widespread ire recently also spoke badly about Singaporeans.


He had apparently said that Singaporeans have no sense of self-respect.

Chan, who spoke last Saturday at the Boao Forum for Asia, said that the Chinese have to be controlled or society would be "chaotic" like that of Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Local Chinese evening daily Shin Min Daily News reported that in the action star's speech, Singaporeans too, were not spared.

During the forum's question and answer session, Chan said in his reply to a question from the media, "When I go to Singapore, I realize that chewing gum is not allowed there. Why is this so?
"I found out later that if (Singaporeans) chew gum, they will dispose of the used gum on tabletops, on chairs, and (they) have no sense of self-respect."


According to the Shin Min report, he also pointed out that unlike the Americans and the Japanese, "they" do not have that sense of self-respect. And when this is lacking, the government will have to step in.

Should one be sensitive, the action star's words might be interpreted as him saying that Singaporeans are not as orderly as the Americans or the Japanese. Compared to the people in these two countries, Singaporeans thus have less self-respect and in turn, are not allowed to chew gum."

Well, for a change I will quote, though I normally do not like to quote any public figure as they tend to be politically correct, a martial art actor here: Singaporeans have no self-respect.

Jackie is a bit out of his depth with his recent comments at Boaan Seminar when politicians and entertainers, academics and business people mixed around like a World Economic Forum in Davo kind of event. He has angered the Chinese people, or at least the sensitive and educated and able to access to information, ones. The Taiwanese previously. And now some Singaporeans.

Lessons for me are:

1. when you are likely to be quoted, speak very specifically. e.g. in Singapore, it is possible that some Singaporeans do not disposed of the chewing gum after chewing as they may not have self-respect! In this way, it is very hard for you to be so-called: misquoted or misunderstood!;

2. the listeners to quotes from public figures need to make a reasonableness self-check: who is the person being quoted and if it is likely that he or she could be wrong; or that it will not be taken seriously? I won't be too worry about Jackie's comments if he had been the President of USA or Premier of PRC!;

3. if you are the leader in question, do not try to venture too much out of your area of expertise in public event. It is obviously that in any country and in any culture and in any race or in any religion, there will always be some who just do not measured up. Be aware of this and be open to it. In this way, it is highly unlikely that you will make sweeping statement that get others to be angry with you!

So, start from the mindset - that it is ok to never use the word like: the Singaporeans or the Americans or the PRC Chinese!