Several months ago, my mum asked me: "Why are you driving such a small car?  For a tall person like you, you need a BMW or Mercedes."

My reply: "hmpgsai akahassgkh akha."

(She didn't hear what I said which was "Mum, for a tall person like me, I need to drive a bus or truck.")

She then expressed her concern: "You got no money to buy car is it?  Stop giving money to charities and church lah !!"

My reply: "ttasdfg alihp twateqd !!." (she didn't hear what I said, again, which was  "ttasdfg alihp twateqd !!.")

She mumbled: "My friend's son got big BMW leh.", and she walked away.

 

People associate one's level of success in life to the car they drive.

The bigger and higher cc (engine capacity) the better you're doing in life.

The (sad) Singaporean reality: YOU ARE YOUR CAR.

If I were to own the following cars, this is what people are likely to be thinking.

 

Rolls Royce/Ferrari/Maserati

Wah !  All Hail King Meepok.  We are honoured to be in your presence.  I worship the ground you walk on.  Gimme a call anytime and I'll show up at your 20,000 sq ft home in Sixth Avenue.

 

Merc / BMW

Steady lah brudder.  You've got class man.  You must be doing very well.  Your parents must be very proud of you and your landed property in near the city. Hey, by the way, got a few thousand dollars to lend

Toyota/Nissan/Mazda

So, you are a salaried worker who can barely afford a cheap condo in the suburbs?  You are what I call a man in the street.  I won't lose sleep if I don't get the chance to get to know you better.

 

Hyundai / Kia/ Proton

No money, die die also want to buy car.  You use the car to do part time delivery work to make ends meet is it?  You got money to pay for your HDB mortgage or not?  If you don't talk to me, I definitely won't approach you.

 

Blue Datsun pickup

Aiyoh … Must be down and out contractor.  And, by the way, I don't have money to lend you.   If the government repossesses your HDB flat, don't look for me too. Basically, don't come near me!  If I were your parents, I'd disown you.

 

Exaggerated? Maybe.

But let's face it; such are the mindsets of people nowadays.

Hence people are prepared to take 10 year loans to buy a BMW 7 series (a depreciating asset) and choose to stay in a small 3 room HDB flat.

Really silly, cos if the beemer is an instrument to pick up chicks, where the hell are you doing to take them back to?  Your dingy 3 room flat?

  

I do not peg my self worth to the value of my car.

I am not my car (a mazda, black one, don't pray pray).

When I have excess cash, I'd rather channel the dosh to help needy kids maximize their potential through merit-based bursaries (called maximize your potential award).

My mum attended the bursary award ceremony the other day.

She finally understood my money is being put to good use.

Rather than to invest in wheels, I've chosen to invest in a child's future.

How I know my mum finally saw the light ?

She told me 2 days ago: "Make sure you take good care of your car and don't anyhow spend money on it.".

I said: "Yes ma, I will."

God works in mysterious ways.