The Singapore Alternative Olympics
We are not exactly a sports nation. We know that. The closest we have come to the Olympics was probably the 2008 Beijing Olympics (hey just 5.5 hours away!) or maybe the 2010 Youth Olympics that was held on our own soil, if that counts.
Singapore has sent athletes to the Summer Olympics since 1948, and since, Singapore has since won two Olympic medals - The first in 1960 and the second at the 2008 Summer Games... Go figure.
How about an Alternative Olympics that Singaporeans can excel in?
They may not be the sportiest events around but these alternative events require the same kind of grit and determination of a sportsman. At the same time, these alternative 'sports' are uniquely Singapore and truly reflects some of our quirkier heritage and culture.
Let's take a look at some of the activities that Singapore would have a huge potential to excel in IF they were part of an Olympic event.
Queuing
Queues like this can be seen daily outside high-end luxury boutique Louis Vuitton at ION Orchard. Photo from Luxuo.com
Remember the crazy queues at every McDonalds outlets for those Hello Kitty plush toys? I'm sure you do. Singaporeans' ability to queue for a long period of time seems to apply everywhere. From the daily long queues at hawker centre stalls to the queues for the free gifts at the customer service desks at shopping malls, one thing for sure - Singaporeans can queue.
Queuing as an alternative Olympic event will allow Singaporeans to shine in what that is usually coined as our 'favourite pastime'.
Whether is it for buses, food, freebies, newly launched gadgets or even to place a vote, Singaporeans can queue for anything and for an indefinite amount of time.
Besides patience and determination, Queuing will need a good amount of physical endurance to withstand our crazy heat and fending off multiple strangers coming to forth to ask you, "What are you queuing for, ah?"
4 Tips On How To Queue For A Long Time:
1. Play phone games. Modern day cell phones offer a variety of interesting stuff to pass time. For example, the games in your cell phone can be a good way to keep yourself engaged during the waiting time, which you would have spent getting bored otherwise.
2. Catch up on your phone calls. Call up your friends and relatives while waiting to go ahead. In our busy lifestyle, we hardly find the time to catch up with friends. This is the perfect time to talk to them and keep in touch.
3. Make friends. If mixing with new people is something that you like doing, then this is an excellent opportunity to indulge in it. You can strike up a conversation with the person behind you or in front of you.
4. Be patient. Finally, the best thing you can do about waiting in a long queue is to accept the situation for what it is and to simply ride it out. It won't last forever even though it may feel like it at the time, and it will soon be a memory. Rely on good preparation beforehand (food, drink, appropriate clothes) and your determination to meet your mission to get you through the boredom of the wait.
SMS-ing
25-year-old Singaporean Jeffrey Teo broke the world record for fastest texter, typing 160 characters in 23.04 seconds. That's about twice as fast as a regular person. Photo from STOMP.
In Singapore, the mobile phone penetration is over 100% meaning everybody is likely to have more than a single phone. Besides making phone calls, the most common used feature is the SMS or texting.
Take a look at our very own wall of fame being the nation with the fastest SMS fingers around.
Singapore's Fastest SMS Typing Records Wall Of Fame
How fast can you type this SMS message? Try it today and who knows? Maybe you can break the World Record and win bragging rights to be the next Singaporean to be on the Guinness Book of Records.
Breaking Records
When it comes to breaking records, Singaporeans find it hard to curb this national pastime. From making the world's longest popiah to folding the most origami cranes in just five minutes or even having the world's biggest game of pass the parcel, we simply cannot stop breaking records.
Back in 2009 alone, Singaporeans have set 120 national records and broken 10 world records in the first nine months of the year.
Pressing The Button
A button on the pedestrian crossing has been covered by a sticker which admonishes: 'Press Once Can Already' - a Singlish phrase reminding people that repeated pushing of the button in the hope that the Green Man will come on faster is futile.
Are you guilty of pressing the lift or traffic light button more than once in hope that the lift or the Green Man will come on faster? If you are, you can consider participating in this game of speed. It requires a good combination of forearm and mental strength as you need to last through to the end, which is when the Green Man starts blinking.
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