complain king

i was at a coffee shop having my breakfast when i overheard a conversation between two uncles. one was obviously very self-centered, a complain king, and has that kinda "everything also wanna win" character. the other uncle was simply a listener and come across as a "no opinion" person. the self-centred uncle was criticizing the singapore education system... and here's the gist of what he said:

i tell you ah, the singapore education system very jiak lat (local slang for screwed up). must pay lots of money to get to university and very stressful at all levels. look, there're only 5000 places for elite people to get into good programs like the ib (international baccalaureate) and where does that leave the majority of the kids. and just look at my daughter, she almost failed her psle (local elementary school leaving examinations), her gce "o" levels best 3 subjects almost 20 points (aggregated score of best 3 subjects, the lower the better, lowest 3 point and to pass, 18 points), and it was so very hard for her to get to jc (junior college). so i send her to new zealand, she easily got into the university, and now she studying for her masters... i tell you, the local education system is totally screwed up....

that was the gist of the almost monologue-like conversation. and i was half-laughing to myself as i listen to him. in his statements, he came across as:

• boasting about how "screwed up" his daughter was
• how she could not compare to most singaporeans
• implied how good the local education was (and still is)
• implied how screwed up the nz education system was (and perhaps still is), but of cos, almost implied that the nz system was flexible to allow people to be developed to their highest potential
• etc

it was funny how he didn't realize this - it is always easy to complain, and always easier to blame everyone and everything, but most difficult to accept that the issue many a times is - how to be contented and fit in. nothing is perfect in this world. and most importantly, when you wanna criticise the system, don't do it at the expense of your daughter. but most interestingly, i see this uncle talking to the no-opinion uncle everyday and everyday, he would complain about things that ranged from grocery, to cost of living, to the government, to all sorts of local policies, etc. it made me wonder why the hell he is still in singapore. and back to the topic of his daughter and the education system.  shouldn't he be glad that despite all his complains, no one has restricted him in sending his daughter overseas? he has a choice.

haha...