I love reading news from a variety of sources and news from my region is of particular interest to me. I particularly enjoy reading Singapore’s The Straights Times newspaper as it has both a regional South East Asian focus and obviously a high Singaporean content online newsprint.

I find the articles well written and researched, then I read the comments section. What I know about Singaporeans is that they are well educated, actually extremely well educated and reasonably reserved. I have worked with Singaporeans and socialised with them both in Perth, Singapore and overseas. We all know how well Singapore as a nation works – it just works. I have found the people to be both polite, respectful and knowledgeable. Without doubt, Singapore is a safe city where crime is so low it is almost virtually non-existent considered to many international standards.

As a reasonably close city, Perth in terms of distance and as a transport hub, over a period of many years I have traveled to Singapore where I always have an enjoyable time. As an educated society, many Singaporeans live and study in Perth attending university with Murdoch and Curtin being the most popular universities. So when I read the comments sections of The Straights Times I am a little astonished as the vitriol can be pretty strong at times.

Any articles on mainland China are met with derision; the Singaporeans, well, the ones writing in the comments section anyway tend to really look down on the Chinese and this is reflected in the comments. Then you get the articles related to the Philippines, especially related to outspoken President Rodrigo Duterte and their army of paid trolls or those caught up in the nationalistic fervor. As a nation, Singapore has a lot to offer and Singaporeans have plenty to be proud of – I get that.

As a foreigner I could understand the locals would have issues with me commenting on their newspaper – fair enough. I don’t mind being called an ang mo, names don’t upset me although I always believe attack the argument and not the person. What I am asking myself now is this mainstream Singaporeans putting up these arguments. Regardless, this ang mo is laughing his head off.

Or does this come from the city state’s diverse imported workforce that are not as possibly as educated as the mainstream Singaporean. So is the typical online punter more outspoken behind a keyboard or do they really feel inferior? I can’t see why, what’s not to like about Singapore or Singaporeans?