Chinese Carabao and a Glimpse of Singapore through the eyes of Mr Nice-Taxi-Driver


My five hour transit to Singapore let me explore Gardens by the Bay and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. On the way, Mr Nice-taxi-driver was very warm and gracious enough to converse with me about anything from my purpose of visiting; suggestions on what to do or where to go; differences of work and lifestyle between his country and Dubai, he was quite surprised to learn that I get to have 30 days leave every year (according to him, the longest they can get is 2 weeks and it's very unlikely for them to obtain unpaid leave or be absent) and cringed when I told him the temperature reaches 45 °C or more during summer; their diverse culture; up to each of our family roots.

Back home, we call it english carabao, when somebody speaks butchered english. Thanks to his relaxed demeanor and good communication skills, I  didn't have to try to use my chinese carabao. He was kind, though, to say that my fayin was just fine. He explained that they learned english and mandarin in school, but he speaks hokkien with his peers and english with his daughter. On my way out of the taxi, I bade him gamsiyah!, hokkien for thank you, for taking me to my destination safe, for being nice and for adding one more word to my teaspoonful of chinese vocabulary.


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