Breaking Stereotypes in ASEAN
Southeast Asians often rank, compare and stereotype one another, with common phrases including:
- Singaporeans are too strict
- Malaysians are too soft
- Filipinos are too noisy
- Thais are too easygoing
Singaporeans are too strict, Malaysians are too soft, Filipinos are too noisy and Thais are too easygoing.
Despite the goal of ASEAN unity, these stereotypes persist in everyday life, on the streets, in classrooms and online. As ASEAN leaders meet for the 47th ASEAN Summit, the question of how well Southeast Asians understand each other remains. A former civil servant from Singapore, Luo Chen Jun, often notices that people's initial impression of him is based on his country of origin.
Author's summary: ASEAN faces stereotype challenges.