Hello
(Who is this?)
This is Kyle.
(What do you want?)
I was texting you about an apartment?
(Who is this?)
This is Kyle
(Were you texting me about an apartment?)
Yes
(Not done yet, being renovated. Never mind that I listed it as available in the paper.)
When’s it going to be done being renovated?
(Never mind that, where are you from?)
United States
(How long have you been here?)
About six days.
(6 minutes?)
Six days.
(Let me show you the super lovely one at Clementi)
Yeah, I’ve seen that one actually. No furnishings. That’s not really going to work for us.
(Gosh you're picky, with wanting furniture and all.)
Very nice unit though.
(When do you want to move in?)
We’re pretty flexible. Ideally by July 1.
(How big?)
Three bedroom.
(How many people?)
Just my wife and me, but we need an office.
(I'll ignore this and probably show you 2 bedrooms anyway.)
Ok.
(Who is this?)
This is Kyle. K-Y-L-E.
(Are you Chinese?)*
No, I’m American.
(Both of you?)
Yeah, we both are.
(What's your pass?)
I’m on an employment pass.
(I'll look for you and I may or may not ever call you back.)
Ok, bye.
* That was the actual question: "Are you Chinese?"
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
One Sided (with Imagined Responses)
Posted by
Alli
10:05 PM
- Eric June 11, 2009 at 11:05 AM
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Yep, estate agents in Singapore don't like mainland Chinese or Indians typically.
Sometimes it goes the other way though... I have been told that you must be "Chinese looking" to rent a place. No caucasians allowed.
It's a weird process. :) - Unknown June 11, 2009 at 9:39 PM
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I hope you have better luck finding an apartment. Locals are not familiar with your name unlike names like John, David etc. It may come as a shock to you that people ask about your race but it is a common question in the singaporean context.
Race is a category that one has to fill in in our job, school application etc. Locals do not feel offended about it so they are not aware that it may be offensive to others. - JLAF June 12, 2009 at 3:29 PM
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Interestingly, Josh and I are having very similar conversations in our attempts to find our new apartment... No "Are you Chinese?", but some remarkably similar questions nonetheless. And we are still abode-less, too.
- Emily June 14, 2009 at 11:26 AM
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Love reading about your adventures! Missing you guys. The food looks SO fun. :o) Emily
K+A
Psalms 139:9-10 If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
"O God, when Thou didst go forth before Thy people,...Thy flock found a dwelling in it; in Thy goodness, O God, Thou didst provide for the needy."
Psalm 68: 7-10