In a post that went supremely viral (over 7,900 upvotes as of writing) on the Singapore subreddit, a 16-year-old student shared her experience in realizing just how elitist Singaporean parents can be — a fact that only dawned on her after years of studying in prestigious schools.
“I have always been in “名校” (what some consider good schools) since I was in primary school, and most parents of the children I knew in those schools were amiable, pleasant people, so I used to refute the stereotype that parents from more elite schools were arrogant,” wrote u/kloimo.
That all changed when she spent her post-O-level examination days as a salesperson for extra pocket money, in a job that entailed selling items for different schools. “I hate to admit it, but most of the difficult parents are those whose children are from the ‘good schools’.”
During her time in the job, she claims that she faced condescending remarks and snobbish attitudes from parents who treat her like hot garbage, inferior to them and their children. Even worse, their arrogant attitudes would immediately change after they learn that she was going to a prestigious junior college.
“Over the last 5 days, I realized that many of the parents who were nice to me in school were probably nice only because they know I’m at the same level and their child and would like their children to be treated with respect as well,” she wrote.
“It is a common assumption that sales girls are people who have low levels of education and it isn’t the highest of job titles, but it doesn’t mean that they are subhuman trash,” she continued, adding that she now empathizes with those who have to deal with elitists.
A message to parents with schoolchildren, from a student. from r/singapore
Singapore’s elitist mindsets
Other Redditors chimed in with their own brushes with elitist attitudes in Singapore and their opinions on it.
As much as the powers that be continue to assure that Singapore is meritocratic and not elitist, there are strong arguments that put forward that its very government policies are often elitist. Former academic Donald Low illustrated how the state’s paternalist instincts and inclination towards social engineering have resulted in an entrenched sense of superiority among the upper class.
