LIFESTYLE Alter Ego

The M Virus

Besides the numerous infectious diseases such as SARS and the latest H1N1 virus, Singapore has long ago been afflicted with another virus which we had willingly succumbed to and even enjoyed its course of infection.

Cause of illness: Symptoms:	Progress of Singapore into a developed nation and its climb to a “first world nation” summit. Upgrading car to the newest model when there is nothing wrong with the current car. Upgrading or buying second and more private properties to boost the weekly launch of condominium projects in Singapore, which is more newsworthy than other news in our press. Accumulating unnecessary clothes, jewellery, shoes, makeup and other araphernalia which we struggle to find storage space for in our already overcrowded wardrobes.
Cause of illness:	Progress of Singapore into a developed nation and its climb to a “first world nation” summit.
Symptoms:	Upgrading car to the newest model when there is nothing wrong with the current car. Upgrading or buying second and more private properties to boost the weekly launch of condominium projects in Singapore, which is more newsworthy than other news in our press. Accumulating unnecessary clothes, jewellery, shoes, makeup and other araphernalia which we struggle to find storage space for in our already overcrowded wardrobes. Purchasing expensive toys which we will get bored with shortly or have no time to even look at. Opening of new shopping malls such as Ion, Orchard Central – all housing top international brands and the grand and relentless refurbishment of other existing malls, all vying to outdo one another.
Cure:	Will not be discovered as it is a necessary virus for the sustenance of Singapore’s economic growth.

Yes, you must have guessed it by now – it is none other than the Materialism or M virus.

I will say it one last time and no more – I just hate the M Virus. It is one of my many pet peeves about living in Singapore. I see festivals as opportunities for the retail industry to make profits only. People like me are in the minority and let me tell you, it is not easy to fight off this virus. It comes in many forms, shapes and guises. Sometimes, I don’t even know when I am infected.

“What’s wrong with the M virus? I work hard and buying stuff is the way I reward myself,” some of you may say. Others may say that it gives you purpose in life and makes you happy.

Late last year, I was warded in hospital for about one week for yet another health condition. Having decided not to answer most mobile calls and SMSes, I had a lot of time to think and have the following to rebut you:

• If you do not have such endless wants, you can work saner hours instead of the current number of hours you clock in at the expense of your health, marriage (or the lack thereof), family and loved ones.

• The wants are just endless. They do not stop at the LV bag or the latest new Mercedes series. They continue till the day we depart this earth. At wakes, I see material possessions being placed in coffins! Has the virus infected the other world as well?

• Unlike what American TV (this is where the virus originated, I believe) portrays, many Americans are either simple (see below) or going back to basic living.

• Although this may be the only way of life we know, should we continue living it, or worse, perpetuating it by passing it to the next generation?

Talking about infecting the next generation, a close family friend’s son, all of 14 years, was hankering for a branded Crumpler bag (I did not even know what Crumpler was and my wife had to signal to me during the gathering to pretend to know of its existence). My seven-year-old niece asked my parents for the latest IT gadget for her birthday (I am not naming it as yet another newer model may arrive at the store by the time this column is published). The toys children nowadays play with stifle their communication and social skills which their parents then spend more money on to correct by way of expensive enrichment classes. I saved her in time by chiding my parents.

However, my four-year-old nephew who is part American and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area is her opposite. My brother, his mother-in-law and my beloved nephew came over for a visit sometime last year. Though American, I have always been surprised by the frugality and the simplicity of the way of life of my sister-in-law and her family. These values have been instilled in my nephew. He has simple toys. In fact, he has more story books than toys. He loved to have us read the books to him. He likes to draw and do simple handicraft (the kind that will lead Singaporean parents to say, “Aiyah, isn’t this a waste of time? Can my child become cleverer by doing this kind of thing?”

On the other hand, they will willingly pay for the same type of toy which is packaged beautifully and sold in a posh educational centre. At home, he has a trampoline in his backyard and a dog they picked up from the pound (equivalent to our SPCA) to play with. He goes to a child care centre about four times a week. His “enrichment classes” are in the form of his parents and grandparents who spend one full day with him each week teaching him about the world. Although I sometimes wished he had more material comforts such as toys and junk food, he appears well balanced and intelligent. He communicates very well and has no fear sharing his thoughts and feelings openly. He makes statements which tickle me and make me smile when I recall them, such as, “I need some private time”.

As I lay in my hospital bed, I questioned myself: Why am I working so hard? Do I need so much money to sustain my simple life? Why is it, after six years, I have yet to realise that I am my own boss and that I can dictate the way I work, the amount of time I put in and how much I make? Why do I feel that I have a boss looking over my shoulder? Perhaps it is
because I have not totally let go of my previous firm’s culture or as a lawyer friend said, “You care too much -about your clients”.

How much money do we really need to enjoy an average standard of living till the end of our days? If we know that with some precision, we can probably make adjustments to our working hours and career options. This will in turn enhance the quality of our life.

It is also about making personal choices – leaving work early or for the employed lawyers, at a decent hour of 7 or 8 pm.

I can hear murmurs such as, “easy for you to say”. I believe that if we stand up individually and collectively to claim back our personal life, employers will slowly relent, just as they have in terms of revised pay packages and other perks to attract lawyers. It is all about choices, really.

Rajan Chettiar
Rajan Chettiar & Co
E-mail: rajan@rajanchettiar.com