Notes

Dear All Singapore Stuff, Am proud of being a #FT entrepreneur in Singapore contributing to the local economy. But I must say you are doing a disservice to our country when you post in such language and tone. Firstly presuming where I am from, then calling FTs cheap and assuming that if the service was cheap, it must mean outsourced - a word I never mentioned in my letter to you.

I would not like it if Airbnb had outsourced the service to Singapore from the US and someone calls the service cheap because of that. Similarly, foreigners reading the needless commentary to my post with such bigoted, judgmental and presumptive language will squirm uncomfortably. The way you editorialise the summary and title to my post, and the language in many of your posts before is also incentivizing a small number of readers to make xenophobic, racist and disparaging comments thinking it is ok.

I wrote to you about my experience with Airbnb thinking you will inform others of such issues. And it worked for me as Airbnb immediately called me and refunded my service fees claiming there was a problem in their system which is why they charged me wrongly. But I do not expect such a popular site like you to presumptively editorialise the title to my post with a xenophobic tinge to it, using words like cheap outsourced and cheap FT. I find it offensive and hope you won't continue like this.

And to all reading this, I want to say Singapore is a great country settled and built by immigrants. A country I love and call it my own. Nobody here is cheap, whether foreign talent or not. And a vast majority of us are very friendly people who welcome foreigners, appreciate their work here, and treat everyone with respect. We are much more accommodating, inclusive, and tolerant than several other countries I have been to and lived. We should not let a small number of intolerants amongst us say anything they please and get away. We should speak up when we hear even slightly racist, sexist, classist or xenophobic comments. Whether from a friend or on a website like this we follow.