omnom / being Singaporean

I spent the last night queuing overnight for Carl's Junior's offer: first 50 people gets 1 year worth of Carl's Junior, and I got it! OMNOMNOMNOM.

Now the more interesting phenomena is what goes on in these queues. As a first-timer I had thought it'll be as easy as waltzing in early and waiting for food to be placed in your hands. But as it were, the whole event is an exercise in being Singaporean.

There were rational voices, who advocated a system of registering names (we were forced to wait outside because of management miscommunications) on a list, so we can have a "legitimate" first 50.

There were also people who didn't know of it and went directly to the store to wait, forming the "alternate" queue. When security guards told them to move, they adamantly refused. Now, I understand how you feel when you realized you queued for nothing, but this fear of losing is really amusing. Then there were further cases when the legitimate and alternate queue ultimately met, and a few angsty guys just shouted unintelligible scoldings on us, as though we were at fault for being there first.

Now, these are just a minority, but as the emptiest vessels made the most noise, you can expect a general air of disdain for the whole event after a while.

Also, the return of the stereotypical Angsty Angry Old Woman. Yes. I assure you, it's not as rare as it seems.

All in all, an exercise in Singaporean-ness for those who did act that way, and an utter let-down for the more respectable members of society who just want to get on with their free food and life.