The Great Singaporean Ego Debate: Are Our Seniors Truly Suffering from 'Ego Inflation'?

A recent discussion on r/SingaporeRaw has peeled back the layers of generational dynamics in Singapore, sparked by a candid observation about the perceived 'egos' of older Singaporeans. The conversation, initiated by Reddit user Agile-Tea1751, quickly spiraled into a relatable and often frank exchange about interactions with those above 50, highlighting frustrations and offering various perspectives on the phenomenon.

Agile-Tea1751 kicked off the thread with a direct claim about what they saw as a prevalent characteristic:

Our seniors here have some of the biggest egos i seen Its like any conversation with them is to boost their fragile egos..... When i means seniors its those above 50

This sentiment immediately resonated with others, with Electronic-Ad-6889 expressing a profound personal fear:

Yes one of my greatest fear is becoming like one of them. Some elderly behave as if society owes big deal and never realise that whatever they are experiencing in their old age is the results of their doing in younger days. Many of them also like to preach a lot as if they are so wise having lived longer.

However, the conversation wasn't entirely one-sided. User According_Book5108 offered a more nuanced view, acknowledging the age factor while also providing a cautionary note about the inevitable march of time:

But it's true that they have lived longer. And likely wiser. Just... not always correct. Also, your greatest fear will come true. One day, you will become the uncle or aunty that the new generation people detest.

According_Book5108 further delved into a potential root cause for the perceived ego, linking it to past experiences:

It's a result of the trauma suffered over the years. When you've been ignored and subtly told you are useless your whole life, you just want an ego boost sometimes. Asian societies tend to be toxic like that.

This perspective suggested that the behavior might be a coping mechanism developed over decades in a challenging societal environment. The discussion also veered into humorous and slightly alarming comparisons, as PagePractical6805 shared an anecdote from South Korea:

If you think thye are bad, wait till you go South Korea, where the seniors will hit you if you sit on the MRT seats and they are standing.

To which the original poster, Agile-Tea1751, responded with a defiant:

Then hit back!

The topic also touched upon the difficulty of navigating familial obligations, especially during festive periods. Deyobi shared their struggle with obligatory visits:

its hard to not hv a toxic reaction when they're so messed up and yet dare to lecture u. i dont have so much energy for that so i just stay away & keep visitation to a min. like during CNY is bo bian then visit.

Agile-Tea1751 agreed, specifically naming a common term for gossipy or meddling relatives:

三姑六婆 are really some of the most toxic people lol

This Reddit thread, while anecdotal, highlights a prevalent generational tension in Singaporean society. It suggests that while younger generations grapple with frustrations over perceived 'senior egos,' there might be underlying societal pressures and past experiences that have shaped these older individuals. Ultimately, the conversation serves as a reminder that the cycle of aging continues, and today's youth will one day become tomorrow's 'seniors,' potentially facing similar criticisms from the generations that follow.