Uniquely Singapore?
Has anyone actually thought more about our slogan? In English terms, it is incorrect!
Think about it, will it be 'Uniquely Australia' or 'Uniquely Australian'? 'Uniquely Britain' or 'Uniquely British'? 'Uniquely America' or 'Uniquely American'?
Technically speaking, we should have been Uniquely Singaporean instead.
Which bring me to this question, what is uniquely us?
I believe the Singapore Tourism Board will quote icons, monuments and places of interest like:
- the Esplanade Theaters on the Bay : which in my opinion is too new an architectural structure to represent our young nation
- the Merlion : which most Singaporeans are unable to relate to because we are unsure about what it actually represents
- Orchard Road : which is similar to most commercialised shopping districts around the world
- Sentosa Island : which is constantly undergoing renovation
- MM Lee : who is a unique Singaporean, not Uniquely Singapore
In my personal humble opinion, it is the HDB heartlands that strikes a chord and represent the majority of us citizens. Unless you live in a private estate or along Nassim Road.
I believe most of us should be able to relate to the sight of the ah ma, waiting with her grand children for their school bus to arrive at the void decks. Stopping by the Indian mama shop for snacks or an ice cream. Being 'bell-ed' by a cyclist zooming behind you while strolling along the walkways. Being aroused from our sleep by the "Karang guni!" "Poh zua sa kor!" on Sunday mornings. Spotting the maids washing their employer's car early in the morning before the car is driven off to work. And the 'ah mud' or 'ah beng' cleaning their bikes beside the staircase landings around evening time.
It's pretty unfortunate that the tourists will not be able experience the uniqueness of Singapore, mearly by signing up for tour packages and hopping on the Duck Tours or the Singapore River Boat Cruise.
Then again, its all fair play. Since we might not be touring at locations which truly represent them and instead, end up as a "carrot" on the chopping block when we pay exorbitant fares to visit tourist hot spots when we go on a holiday:)
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