In the first of a light-hearted CNA Women series on the Singaporean Aunty, correspondent Hidayah Salamat finds out how an enduring stereotype has become an endearing archetype – and a national symbol.
A few weeks ago, I decided to do the week’s grocery shopping at a supermarket in Eastpoint Mall. I happened to be in the area and this particular outlet was expansive and, I figured, well-stocked.I was staring at the halal cold cuts section without any intention of buying something from it when a woman spoke over my shoulder.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shopped under the influence of a stranger, simply because they appeared to have the authority of an “aunty”.I went to another supermarket chain with a male friend once and he insisted on going in the evening, when they apparently had the most stock of “reduced to clear” items and when, sometimes, you could get the day’s bread at half price.An aunt or aunty is, by simple definition, an older female relative; more specifically, the sister of a parent.
“She’s the kind of person who would ask you to buy something from the shop down the road because it is cheaper there,” she told me. “She would spot promotions whenever she was out and about, and share them with us. I couldn’t keep up, so I suggested we create an Instagram account,” said Aldila, who is the eldest at 54.“They are not gender or age-specific, and you can possess them regardless of where you are from,” said Sophiela, an engineer who is also in her 50s.
Despite fashioning themselves as the Malay equivalent of “aunties”, the Makcik Alert sisters also had a lot to say about the less favourable aspects of the archetype. In its nearly 60 years of independence, many words have been associated with Singapore. It’s been described as modern, contemporary, futuristic and even avant garde. So it’s remarkable that something so abstract can turn out to be such a classic.
Dr Atiqah likens the Singaporean aunty to “kiasuism”. The word “kiasu”, derived from the Hokkien dialect, means “fear of losing”, a concept Dr Atiqah said “encompasses our competitive spirit and strong desire to succeed”.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ajoomma is the first Singaporean film to launch on Prime Video - Singapore NewsThe movie is about a Singaporean widow who has an obsession with Korean dramas. She then tries to find meaning in her life through a solo trip that leads to her being lost in South Korea
Read more »
Singaporean woman allegedly attacks man with hot water, arrested after trying to flee to Indonesia by ferryA 28-year-old woman who tried to leave Singapore after allegedly scalding a man with hot water was arrested while the ferry she boarded was still within the Republic's territorial waters, the police said on Saturday (March 25). The woman had been captured on police surveillance cameras pouring water on a 24-year-old man near Balam Road on Thursday morning. The police...
Read more »
'We stan TikTok Daddy': Netizens thirsts for Singaporean tech star Chew Shou Zi, calls him the new 'zaddy'Move aside, Pedro Pascal. The Internet has a new 'zaddy': TikTok chief executive Chew Shou Zi. The 40-year-old Singaporean may have come under intense scrutiny by lawmakers during the US Congress on Thursday (March 23), as he sought to assuage US worries over TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance, but Mr Chew has captured the hearts of many netizens with his...
Read more »
Disappointment for King Charles as first overseas visit as monarch is postponedLONDON - King Charles' first state visit to France as British monarch, postponed on Friday (March 24) because of widespread social unrest, was supposed to be an occasion celebrating a new chapter of harmony in relations between London and Paris. Instead, a visit that would have featured a banquet at the old royal palace at Versailles and a visit to...
Read more »
Upcoming theatre shows to catch in the first half of 2023The stage in Singapore is more alive than ever. From robust musical symphonies, to thought-proving dance performances and comical theatre productions — you're in for a treat. Not to even mention, that this is just the beginning. Mark your calendars, here are the upcoming theatre shows and productions in Singapore to catch this first half of 2023. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp11LDuvoyh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link[/embed] Catch the...
Read more »
Bagnaia wins first ever MotoGP sprint at Portuguese Grand PrixReigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia won the first ever MotoGP sprint with a last-lap overtake at the season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix on Saturday (Mar 25) to earn 12 points and move to the top of the rider's standings ahead of the race on Sunday. Introduced this season in a bid to make the sport
Read more »