Is Singapore a humorless society? Do Singaporeans take themselves too seriously? Since Singaporeans rank low in international surveys on happiness, and since fun and laughter are an invariable expression of happiness, are Singaporeans truly lacking in this universally valued attribute of a sense of humor?

Yes and No. Read more

You sent for me? This is unbelievable, God! Normally—

Alright. I admit I was getting a little bored. Always the same prayers. Always the same words. I must have heard them zillions of times. You may be exasperating, but at least you provoke reactions other than a yawning expectation.

Wow, I still can’t believe it. Tell you what, God, now that I’m here, could I— Read more

Virtually every article on world issues that one reads about today—globalization, rivalry among the big countries, the growing importance of small countries, the amazing advancement of scientific technology, the incredible global clout of Google etc—makes mention of the bewildering changes sweeping the world, and the need to adjust to these changes, to stay afloat. Read more

When it first dawned on me that I was getting out of my marriage, after sixteen years, I experienced a very surreal feeling of trepidation mixed with elation. I remember it was well past midnight, after one of those last-minute attempts to reach an understanding with an estranged spouse, that I suspect all divorced men and women have experienced and remember for the futile, wearying arguing back and forth, leaving both parties completely exhausted. I remember myself, dressed only in a loose robe, picking up the housekeys, leaving the house, and taking a long walk outside, along any road leading anywhere, as long as I was out in the open, breathing the fresh night air, allowing the thrilling sensation of being free to seep into every pore of my body, like parched earth drinking in long-awaited rainwater. Read more

My favourite person is someone who lived more than two thousand years ago, whom I know little about; who, moreover if he had met someone like me, would have dismissed me with the impatience he generally showed for women; who, if I met today, I would be a little embarrassed to go on a date with, because he was ugly to the point where his ugliness invited a detailed, fascinated description! Read more