mrbrown: L'infantile terrible of Singapore

TODAY Reader Mail: The autism columns

Subject: Hello

Dear Mr Brown

I have read your articles dated 26-11-04, 3 & 10 Dec 2004 regarding autistic children.

I have a 8 yr old son, having a mild autistic problem. I know the pain that you and your wife had gone through because I also have (always) very painful time with my son.

I have a lot of unhappiness, 'complaints' about my son but my friends don't understand my problems. I write to you just want to let you and your wife know: Don't give up, be HAPPY!  (i am sad that no one say that to me)(...2nd thought, only my younger son 5yr old childcare centre's principle say that to me).

well, hope to read your articles regarding your girl growth development.

regards
bw

TODAY Reader Mail: Excuse me, your cup doth runneth over

my bf loves reading ur articles n as usual, he showed me this link. as u said u do not research on bras n u suggested the pump-me-up bra. as it is, this ""miracle"" bra has been sold in ck tangs years back. ;)

i was ""insulted"" many years back when the promoter suddenly ""pounced"" on me n enthustiastically showed me how i cud benefit from this amazing and revolutionary bra....

n juz fyi, it originates from korea.... ;)

akerue
January 28 2005

TODAY Reader Mail: Life is getting scary, Mummy...

Subject: Thank you Mr Brown

Dear Mr Brown

You are the highlight of my Friday every week!  I enjoy reading your weekly article very much and yes, again, I thoroughly enjoyed today's piece.  As usual, it's hilarious and it never fails to crack me up.

I've always wanted to write to you to thank you for sharing with us readers your refreshing take in life and your sense of humor (which is very much lacking in our society).  But I somehow did not manage to find time to do so.  I am very happy and glad that I am writing this note to you now.  Thank you and keep writing.  My Friday is not complete without an accidental word from Mr Brown.

I am so glad to have met your acquaintance, Mr Accidental Author and I look forward to our meeting every Friday.


Jan Lim
February 18, 2005

TODAY Reader Mail: Feeling marginalised in own country

I enjoyed reading mr brown's "Life is getting scary, Mummy" (Feb 18).

It was very funny. But the underlying issue — the "threat" posed by foreign talents — is not.

As a parent of two teenaged children, I am not particularly bothered if my children do not top their class, losing out to a foreign talent. Neither would I be upset if they lost, say, their badminton match to another foreign talent.

However, I am concerned if they are denied access to a good school or university. I fear that this is already the case in Singapore.

When the Government announced it would set up a Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore (now known as the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music), I was very pleased.

My thought then was that Singapore would finally have its own conservatory offering formal music education at tertiary level.

This would enable local students less academically inclined, but with a passion for music, to pursue their interest.

Later, I read a report about the make-up of the first student intake. I noticed a significant percentage were foreigners.

I can appreciate the need to attract the best talent into Singapore. I can also appreciate the argument that entry into the Conservatory is by merit. However, it is disturbing if Singaporeans are denied entry in the process.

It is fine if our children have many conservatories in Singapore to choose from. But we have only one and its intake is small.

I consider myself a patriotic Singaporean. However, I can't help feeling that sometimes, as a Singaporean, I am marginalised, all in the name of attracting the best talent.

I now wait to see how the proposed Arts School will shape up — and if foreign talents make up the bulk of its students.

Haslinda Shamsudin

Reader response to "Massive earthquake: our holiday can get refund or not"

Here's a reader's view on my previous post on the holiday refund response from some Singaporeans.


From Kate:

Subject: in response to :" Massive earthquake: our holiday can get refund or not"

Dear Mr Lee,

Kindly also refer also to
Sri Lanka struggles to distribute aid (ST)

and also
Indonesia struggles to bury dead (CNN)

The intelligent and responsible way to help is not to throw money at the problem at hand, but to work with authorities to coordinate efforts. It has been reported that S'pore is also sending military personnel, who will lend their planning expertise to the operation. I'm sure that is important as well. There are reports of helpers who have fled from scenes of destruction, and someone needs to make sure the right people are sent to the appropriate places. Right now there are many areas which need the money and food, etc. Surely sometime is needed for this kind of logistics planning?

I think it is the quality of the help that is important, not just the dollar amount. S'poreans have also been very generous as citizens, and we are all trying to help as much as we can. Afterall, these are our neighbours, and our country has close links that go way back with all these countries. Rest assured that more money will be contributed to the sites that need them, after the needs have been ascertained. It's not just S'pore that is ascertaining the situation, the US is as well.

I hope that you can provide balanced reporting of S'poreans' reactions, and not just the handful of people who complained about refunds. You might as well base your perception of ALL westerners on the couple which is planning to conduct their wedding on Phuket, alongside the funerals which will take place. Sounds unfair? Then please do not judge Singapore based on a few examples of callousness.

Sincerely,

Kate

Relaxing Down Under reader email

A letter to TODAY on the column, Roughing it Down Under

Subject: Mr Brown - Relaxing Down Under

Dear Mr Brown,

Yes, PCs are more expensive Down Under. You can  get state-of-the-art ones from Sim Lim Square at a fraction of the cost. But what surprises people is that my home computers are newer & faster than the one my husband uses in office & he's in the IT line. Perhaps, if you are prepared to pay more at privately run internet cafes in the city fringe, you could get speedier internet access.

You don't get much Singapore news - mainly Australia, US and sometimes China, Indonesia. Our tiny tropical island occasionally catches Aussie attention only when Singapore leaders made remarks which Australians take offence or when Mr HL Lee took over the premiership. The only means of getting connected with Singapore is via excerpts of news update in asiaone.com or todayonline.com and belated hard copy Straits Times.

Cars are cheap. Even Japanese imports are affordable at about half the price sold in Singapore. Of course, being a pragmatic Singaporean, I chose to buy a Toyota assembled in Melbourne. You get the latest Japanese design & technology at a much lower price.

Nevertheless, driving is not a breeze, made worse by heavy traffic fines.

My strong suspicion shared by many Aussies & Singaporean friends, is that traffic police have this sadistic streak - they go all out to chalk up traffic fines to score points. Some things are universal like raising revenue for the state supposedly to pay the better welfare & public services. The authorities also argue it's a means of deterring "dangerous" drivers who exceed the 60 km/hr limit on major roads by a mere 5 km/hr.

It's a challenge trying to alter your speed from 70 km/hr on an expressway & brake suddenly when entering into a school zone of strictly 40 km/hr during certain times of the day. Yes, look out for speed signs & check your watch while driving to be safe driver!

Singapore fried noodles (bee hoon fried with curry powder!), Hokkien fried rice (rice hor fun style), laksa in thin curry flavoured gravy without polygonum leaves, are all concoctions of Chinese/Asian chefs (not Singaporean I hope) in western countries. Incidentally, my Thai friend who owns a restaurant in Canada offers Singapore fried noodles on the menu too.

The wildly changing weather is a topic of serious discussion or small talk.

We talk about the weather all the time. For every change in season entails changing the wardrobe, linen, garden landscape, electrical appliances, etc. It makes life more interesting.

For most Singaporeans, being close to nature & wildlife may be a nuisance rather than an enjoyment. The chirping & sights of colourful birds, smell of roses and lavendar in your own garden could be marred by the destructive work of cockatoos & possums. We have learnt to live with nature & deal with it in our stride.

Shopping centres don't just cater for the elderly and disabled people. For the able-bodied keen shoppers, there are lots of sofas & benches to rest your feet. Don't expect to see these in Orchard Road or even town centre shopping centres as evey inch of space counts & would be rented out as kiosks to aspiring entrepreneurs.

However, do not despair. There are many things we take for granted in Singapore such as speedy efficiency & convenient public transport that are often a rarity Down Under. Singapore is trying to close some of the gaps by introducing policies conducive for family & a better lifestyle. Hopefully these are sustainable & get better each year. Meanwhile, sit back & relax.


Regards,
C

Pencil Marks email

Subject: RE: PENCIL MARKS ON THE WALL

Hi Mr Brown,

Just want to let you know that I am very touched by this article.

Do keep me update on the development of Faith through your regular contribution. I look forward to the day that she can reach the next milestone charted for her.

Thank you.

Rgds,
"S"
A mother of two boys aged 5 and 4

Reader Mail: Department stores should not play profane, raunchy songs

Department stores should not play profane, raunchy songs

Thank you, mr brown, for your article, "Poetry with swear words" (Oct 22). It gives me the opportunity to raise an issue that has been troubling me.

I do think there should be a body that can assert control over the profane and raunchy music being played publicly in department stores and other public areas, where shoppers are assaulted by a barrage of expletives while trying to pick out a gift for a child's birthday or toiletries for the family.

Stores should have some respect for shoppers who may not share their liberal views on music. I have had to leave a store because of the foul lyrics coming over the PA system and have written in to complain.

Yet, I find such vulgar music becoming the norm in many shops, especially smaller outlets.

I hope the larger, more reputable stores will look into the music they play, so that we need not worry about the music's impact on teenagers and young children who patronise these outlets.

I have become so paranoid about all this rap and hip-hop music, that I was overwrought when I heard a similar noise coming from my son's room recently — only to discover, with much relief, that it was only a funny ditty about a toothbrush!

Jerusha Devan

Reader Mail: Is it time to adopt Singapore Fried Noodles?

Is it time to adopt S'pore fried noodles?

I must agree with mr brown's profound discovery of "Singapore fried noodles" while in Australia.

I, too, have spotted "Singapore fried noodles" in the United States and the United Kingdom.

I was confused when I stopped to ask for directions in Northolt, UK, and a young lad who helped me said: "My most-loved food is Singapore fried noodles, do you like it too?"

I didn't know what to say — it felt foolish to admit I'd never heard of it.

How, and where, did "Singapore fried noodles" originate? Maybe if we adopt the recipe, it'll save us the humiliation when abroad of not knowing our "own" dish.

Giving the excuse that it is not a Singaporean dish would be odd, for it is a favourite in many countries…

Tracy Breneman

A reader leaves Singapore

A very nice letter to TODAY from Cecile, a foreigner leaving Singapore. Getting letters like this one always make my day, and reminds me of the reason I write.

Excerpt:

I would like to mention that I have been very satisfied with your newspaper: interesting articles on both Singapore and the outside world. Starting my day before going to the office with TODAY and a good cup of coffee was rewarding.

I loved reading the letters' section: I don't always agree with TODAY's readers, but it certainly is an eye opener on Singapore  Please pass on my congratulations to your contributors: I enjoy reading Neil Humphreys' column. As for Rohit Brij nath, I always skip the sports pages in any newspaper; but believe it or not, he succeeded in interesting me into reading detailed account of cricket or golf tournaments (actual sports I never watched in my life, less even played), thanks to his excellent writing skills.

But I must admit that Mr Brown is my favourite: his great sense of humour combined with his human sensitivity makes me crave for your Friday edition. I hope little Faith will one day grow into  a beautiful young lady, finding her place in a society which is not always kind to different people. I am lucky to have two 'normal' young kids and I hope to educate them to accept others' differences.

Finally, I would like to thank the delivery boy who comes every morning at 5.30am. Must not be easy to get up so early, just to make sure I have TODAY in time for my cup of coffee.