My career as a foreigner started at age 5 when my parents moved our family to the U.S. from Taiwan. I received my US citizenship in jr. high so from that time on I was no longer a foreigner until I left the U.S. again to live overseas with my husband in 1998. Now once again I am a foreigner and if some people had their way, I would be a second class citizen whose opinions didn’t count for squat.

Shouldn’t it be the opposite?

After all, foreigners have a perspective that combines their global experiences. In my case, I’ve lived in Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and now Singapore over the past 35+ years. Given what I’ve learned from all these places, my thoughts and opinions on what I encounter here in Singapore are unique.

I’m not saying that my opinions are so important that everyone should stop, listen, and take action. What I am saying is that my views on Singapore life aren’t any less relevant than a “fellow Singaporean.” What defines a Singaporean anyway? There are plenty of naturalized Singaporean citizens here who may or may not qualify as Singaporean in the eyes of those who were born and raised here. Popular Singapore blog, Mr. Wang Says So, proposes that “the hallmarks of a Singaporean are suffering and struggle.” My American six-year-old declared himself a Singaporean after living here just five short weeks. He rooted for the Singaporeans in the Olympics rather than the Americans!

No matter my nationality or ethnicity, I have the right to say what I think about life here on this small island. I’ve sung Singapore’s praises for many years and am grateful to have the chance to live here. But, just as there have been everywhere I’ve lived, there are irritating and weird people walking the streets (when they’d be better off staying at home) and I like telling you all about it here on my own personal blog.

Foreigner or not - I’m interested in your opinion.