Kiasu - ness

As Malaysians, we have typically branded our southern neighbours as having a kiasu (“kee-a-soo”) mentality. But really, what about us? Are Malaysians equally kiasu? There are quite a few incidences I have heard, read and even experienced myself, where Malaysians reared their ugly head exhibiting the so called “I must win” attitude. These are just a sample:

1. Open House Functions
The classic case which we read about in the newspapers, where people go for free food and even bring plastic bags to ta-pau the food home. Typically, will see long queues of people piling their plates full and eat to their hearts content – all because the food is free.

2. Shareholders’ Meetings
This I have not experienced, but have heard that some shareholders go for the meeting for the free food, and again, ta pau home. I guess certain shareholders would want to maximise returns from their investments in whatever way they can.

3. Buffet lunches/dinners
Have you ever been to buffet lunches or dinners, in restaurants or hotels or anywhere for all that it matters, and eat till you can hardly move? Have you ever contemplated bringing plastic bags or containers whilst dining in a room, so that you could secretly bring some food home for “supper” by stuffing into your carrier bag?

4. Collecting shopping points
Have you ever purposely shop at a particular outlet or chain of outlets so that you could collect points for redemption? Have you ever been accused of being very “aunty” by doing this (personally, I wonder why that is – why label this as being “aunty”? “Aunties” have nothing better to do is it?) What? You only go to Shell to pump petrol because you can collect bonuslink points? And if you forget your bonuslink card, go pump petrol another day? Petrol stations, departmental stores, and even coffee outlets have all come up with some kind of customer loyalty programmes to entice customers to revisit. Do you think this somehow inculcate a kiasu mentality in us?

5. Free gifts
You heard that there’s a promotion going on, and you purposely go buy and get the free gift? This I have experienced first hand to some degree. The other day, a friend mentioned that in MidValley, Mastercard was doing a promotion. Spend RM100 or more, and you are entitled to a lucky dip. By chance, I was shopping on the ground floor in MPH (yes, there were conducting a 15% discount for members), and bought some books totaling more than RM100, and purposely paid for the goods with my mastercard. Then, didn’t know where the booth for redemption was, and called my friend back to enquire. Friend said he thinks the booth is on the top floor, as he wasn’t sure, but also heard from someone else. So, there I go, trot all the way up to the top floor to find the booth to redeem my free gift. There I saw the booth, advertising a travel package as the main gift. I was entitled to one draw, and what did I get for my lucky dip? I think the card said “a special deluxe prize” or something like that which got my expectations up. But guess what I got! A small pillow with a red carry bag! Well, can’t complain, it is FREE after all.

6. Taking advantage
Have you ever encountered people who would so blatantly take advantage of you just so that they can get ahead? All they think about is themselves and how they would be one step ahead of everyone else. Call it selfish, call it ambitious, call it whatever you may. To me at least, it boils down to the kiasu-ness mentality.

7. Overnight queues
Have you heard of people queuing overnight for tickets? Or for that particular limited edition “Hello Kitty” soft toy being promoted by McDonald’s or other similar outlets? People rushing in, broken glasses, pushing, shoving, just to ensure that they can get what they want?


And would you believe it? Even Wikipedia has a definition of Kiasu:
Kiasu is a Hokkien (a Chinese spoken variant) word for 'extreme fear of losing'. This word is so widely used by Singaporeans and Malaysians that it is incorporated into their English vocabulary (in the form of Singlish or Manglish). It is often used in describing the social attitudes of people, especially about East Asian society and its values. Its widespread use is often due to the fact that these attitudes are common - to not lose out in a highly competitive society (e.g. by accumulating too much food on a plate during buffet in case there will be no more later), or to the extent of parents imposing heavy study labour on their children in their wish to make them at the very top of all other students. Growing up with this attitude, these students often become ambitious businesspeople, with the desire to be on top in wealth and prestige.

Such an attitude is often highly competitive, and its emphasis is to be above all other people, even if it means putting other people down. But to be kiasu is not only to be competitive. Kiasu people are driven out of fear of losing probably more than the desire to succeed. It is often perceived as part of Ah Beng culture. Another famous kiasu name is Mr Kiasu.

So, how Kiasu are you? :)