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> the more Singapore has grown, the more Singaporeans fear loss. The colloquial word kiasu, which stems from a vernacular Chinese word that means "fear of losin
by digitalengineer 12y ago
> the more Singapore has grown, the more Singaporeans fear loss. The colloquial word kiasu, which stems from a vernacular Chinese word that means "fear of losing," is a shorthand by which natives concisely convey the sense of vulnerability that seems coded into their social DNA
Fear as a means to bind a society. This is also used in the US correct? Fear of communism, socialism, terrorist...
- crdoconnor 12y agoKiasu is more like "fear of missing out on a 40% off sale at H&M" than it is fear of communism or terrorists.
- yen223 12y agoKiasu is more like "fear of getting an A- when your peers got an A+". It's a fear of losing to other people, not a fear of loss.
- frenchieinsg 12y agoOr fear of missing out on a table at Kopitiam, booking 6 seats for your 2 friends with a couple tissue packets at rush hour whilst you spend half an hour choosing what stall to get lunch from. One of these days I'll muster the courage to sweep one of these aside...