Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Retirement plans - 6:36 PM
It must be 2 years ago, July 2004, when I went on a pre-college-last-vacation with my parents to Melbourne and Sydney, when I noticed that. What, you ask? That, I answer. The difference between ang moh old people, and the old people we see in Singapore. In Australia, and now in the US, I see old people wearing their best suit or dress, sitting in a nice restaurant, basking in fine wining and dining with their friends.... basically enjoying life. Niceee...And then I think back to Singapore and my ah mah, ah kong, and ah jia. How come none of them went out with their friends to fancy restaurants? How come most of them ONLY hang out with their family? And even when they go to restaurants (with their children), SURPRISE!...they are like readymade babysitters for their grandchildren? Looking after the little nuggets while their parents eat, not involved in any conversation most of the time. OK, I'm referring to the sit-at-the-background-dun-mind-me kinda grandfolks, not the fierce or havoc kind. My ah mah has friends whom she goes to JB and attend other elderly club activities with, but I don't see them going to Orchard Road without them wearing the same senior citizens club tshirt... I guess the difference lies in the culture.... sit around kopitiams mebbe la, sit around cafes ah? simi latte cappucinoooooo... I want koppi oh la!! So does that mean that by the time it rolls to the time when WE join the elderly ranks, we will be like ang moh old folks, since thats in our typical lifestyle now??
And if history repeats itself and we become just like our grandparents, what happens if you don't have children/grandchildren, or what if, god forbid, you are deserted by them? What will happen to you? At times like these, I can't help but envy ang moh oldies. Cos its been cultivated in them that they will raise their kids until they're old enough to fend for themselves den KICK them outta the attic room, and then see them only on the annual Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays. When its time for you to retire and retreat into the background, they hardly expect anything from their children... They'll survive on social security, or welfare, or simply their own retirement savings. So in their case, even if they don't have children, they will be spend their time easier than us. In this case, I guess its true that you will have less disappointments if you harbor less expectations.
Don't worry, I'm not deserting my parents, nor am I planning to. I grew up with a tight family, and I enjoy their company alot.... I just hope my parents will still have their own circle of friends to hang out with when they are older.
The hotel had a retirement party for one of their supervisors today. She's worked there for, get this: 36 YEARS!! Holy... and she's retired ONLY because her foot is no longer the one it used to be, and she had to go on permenant disability leave. The other ladies she used to work with turned up in full force, in their nice party clothes. Wah, I can't stop but feel impressed when I look at them. Yes, they're chambermaids, but you can NEVER tell if you see them in their normal clothes. They make sure they always look nice, clean, and aesthetically pleasant. A cleaner, so what? And what's even more eyebrow-raising is that they KNOW THE LATEST MUSIC, and are gyrating/body grinding to it!!! Wah biang, these are 40/50 aunties acting JUST like college kids. And they also have to hide the alcohol bottles that they've added, just for fun, to the party. WAHHAHAHAHA. Now, they know how to have a good time.
k, tired. excuse me while I vegetate in front of the telly.