Sun finally sets on British Empire... at Tanglin Club
November 22, 2008 Saturday, 02:37 AM
WHEN theĀ*British EmpireĀ*was at its height in the early 1900s, it included over 20 per cent of the world's land area and more than 400 million people - the single largest empire in the history of the world since time began.
The sun has finally set on the British Empire? I thought it already does since the demise of the Empire?
Now Philip old chap, get a grip. Or have you conveniently forgotten/gotten selective memory that not too long ago, when the British were rulers of this land, not only dogs were forbidden to enter the clubs. But Chinamen/Chinese too.
Remember? I am sure Tanglin Club was one such club. Imagine one being rightly discriminated based on race, to be disallowed entry into establishments on one's *own* land.
UK Passport Holders residing in Singapore today ought to be grateful with the fact that they are not forbidden membership. Not just entry. After all Singapore has been a sovereign nation for 45 years.
And Tanglin Club now sits on a piece of land that belongs to the *REPUBLIC* of Singapore. Not too difficult to remember that or does it, matey?
And may I remind you of the fact that UK Passport Holders are after all GUESTS here in my country.
So it is highly galling to hear all the gripings and whingeings. I am sure I would be told to go back whence I come if the opposite happens in Old Blighty. Eh?
Am sure you know that the sun wouldn't set in the British empire because God wouldn't trust the British in the dark. So the sun finally setting in...is good sign.
There were state organized looting, raping, selling narcotics and murdering of monarch and civilians, ethic cleansing of entire civilisation that make the Nazis looked like angels. Also involved in charting away of antiques and wealth from the colonies. The dark side has not been adequately addressed it was kind of an Asian/African/Oceania holocust.
Damn bloody lucky we were colonised by the British. Imagine what it would be like if the coloniser had been the Spainish or the Dutch. Much, much worse, I think.
Say what you like, the education system still pegged to the GCE 'O' and 'A' level after half a century. Don't be cocky too fast. The MOE talk so big, can't set its own exam.
Sadly, The Tanglin Club still does not allow maids into their premises.
Owing to this snobbish club ruling, we cannot bring our maid along for family outings there. About a year ago, my wife & I invited our guests for dinner, & they brought their maid along to help look after their baby. It slipped our mind to inform our guests about this discriminatory rule. Both maid & baby had to sit on a chair, next to the security counter (a non-air-conditioned area), at the main entrance, while we had dinner. That spoilt the evening for all of us.
Raffles Town Club allows maids into the premises. My maid accompanies us to the swimming pool, restaurants, coffee house, theatre, bowling alley etc. without ever feeling out of place. She went along as part of the family, & not to take care of my children; they are in primary school, & old enough to look after themselves.
November 22, 2008 Saturday, 02:37 AM
