[Oyk]

Expatriates by definition are people living in a foreign country, be they professionals, expatriate workers or blue-collar workers. Somehow many S’poreans tend to associate expats with professionals holding down plum jobs. Work permit holders and low-paid menials are not considered to be expats by virtue of their lowly status.

There was a time when we carried our babies in our arms everywhere we went outside because we were poor and buying a pram was considered extravagant.  In those days, only Caucasian women were seen using a pram which had, of course, an ang moh baby or toddler in it, who was usually well attired.

These people came to be known as "expats"  Singaporean women like to speak like them, spending hours and hours practising their fake accent.  Singaporean men kowtowed to them.

Singaporeans are not the only people who have the Pinkerton's Syndrome.  The Chinese and Indians also *worship* ang mohs.  I had seen this happening more times in China than I can remember...