40 years in Singapore "It is time to go"
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- čas přidán 8. 08. 2021
- "Gila" are what some friends call Gilles. Originally from France, he spent 40 years in Singapore, and have seen a different side to the island from what we are used to.
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Produced by:
DOP - Tham Why Keen - / whykeen
Videographer - Joseph Eng - / joseph_eng
With footage used with permission by:
Gilles Massot ( / @gillesmassot6844 )
CM Chen ( / chencm11 )
Business Enquiries:
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Kudos to this angmoh that came to really soak in what Singapore is, and shared what it means to him. This is an model expatriate that is open to what Singapore has to offer and not try to live their own world replicating their own cultures they brought from their home.
Totally agree. I had 3 amazing years in Singapore before sadly ageing parents meant I had to be closer to the UK - just in case. We hated the traditional expat idea of sitting drinking at Clark Quay etc and I was always more at home at the hawker center than in a Michelin restaurant. In a different time, I could see a much longer time in Singapore - besides Scotland, it was the only place I ever felt was home. Some people laugh about the "fine culture" etc - I loved a safe, clean country where people were law abiding. No need worry about fines if you behave like normal human ;) Best ever food time for me was my visits to Swee Choon Dim Sum place with formica tables and plastic stools, where I was just about the only Angmoh. I wish expats would take time to understand real Singapore, rather than (as you said) try to have their own culture in Singapore. Lots of the comments in this video hit home to me - I loved that all religions were treated equally, even public holidays for each religion. No one cared about your religion, whereas in many countries, so much is made of religious choice. Looking forward to the day when I can visit my favourite little red dot again ...
I couldn't agree more. If you choose a foreign land to make your home, embrace it fully. Live the culture, respect the laws and traditions, become one with the society you have entered into.
And yet, to expect that integration today in Western countries is decried as racist. Please don't dismiss me as racist when reading this. I married a woman from a far away country. We have beautiful children who are a mix of our two races and I think the world is better for that. However, the same rules must apply to all. Inequality breeds resentment. And I see that double standard playing out across Western countries in recent years.
Totally agree, like a Malay idioms “dimana bumi dipijak disitu langit dijunjung”. similar like “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. And he did it.
I am Russian and live in Singapore since 1999. I've become a typical Singaporean, cooking local Singaporean food (Asam Pedas, MAMA Curry Chicken, Bihun goreng, and so on 😅😅😅 oh yes I can speak Singlish too.
Wow....I'm impressed. Take care n stay safe yeah
privet!
You are amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Ava, this is amazing to hear! I’m curious to know, as a Russian, have you come across any places selling authentic Russian food in Singapore as of late?
@@syarifahnajwa5491 thank you 😊
"They existed side by side, and that is Singapore." And that is a simple and most profound illustration of Singapore as a home to anyone, who is willing to put in the effort to work hard and live harmoniously with each other.
Beautiful
Profound. It took a French guy to explain to me
God bless u
@@seanmak99, it's like the Chinese saying 旁观者清...
@Xbbxbx Brbdbf Wow...you really just created an account to be a troll. GET BACK TO THE TRASH!
It was an honor we had you for 40 yrs Giles . I hope we’ve lived up to your expectations .
Now that it’s time to move on , I’m sure you’ll be greatly missed .
I wish you nothing but happiness going back to your roots .
Au revoir !
A scottish man and his Singaporean wife have been our family friends for a few years. Ever since his wife passed away, he has been coming to my family's gatherings for Chinese New Year and Christmas. My nephew and niece are so happy to see him during Xmas becaue they always think of him as Santa Claus. haha its really cute. We used to have lunch with him every Sunday too, but it got abit difficult when Covid came around.... He has been in Singapore for a long time too and seen Singapore go through her major changes. Also, he doesn't have plans to move to another country as of now because his hometown in Scotland is very cold.
I love how Gilles put things into perspective in Singapore. I feel he is more integrated than some of us. Welcome home, Gilles! 🇸🇬
He has stayed in Singapore longer than millennials and Gen Z has!
@@seahyx120 you’re absolutely right! 😮
Sorry to hear about his lost, however he is a foreigner that understands better than we Singaporean. Thank you for choosing Singapore as your live long home.
This Angmoh is different...he understands SG unique identity. All the best to you Gilles !
Today is 10th August 2021,
Happy 67th Birthday Gordon. May you be remembered through Gilles memories.
Thank you for documenting his story, it thoroughly moved me. Home is about the intangible things-relationships, emotions and the liminal space that fill the gaps between all the adjectives we use to describe ourselves. Nothing is forever.
Time to move on. Best Wishes to Gilles. Take care. Singapore will always be a home to you.
I had a collection of Giles Massot's colourful postcards - his contribution to helping Singaporeans see the uniqueness in our culture will be missed. Bon Voyage, Giles!
Watched all the CZcamsr sharing their stay in Singapore, this guy been thru Singapore high and low, they are the one who help Singapore grow, thank you angmo and good luck
Well said, Giles. We are not mixed like rojak. We exist side by side. Love to hear more about your story in Singapore with Gordon.
Thank you for spending and contributing 40 of your prime years in our tiny country. In my opinion, you ought to be called a Singaporean at least 20 years ago. Stay safe and healthy, and remain happy in the next stage of your life!
TV
Singapore just feels like its for people from everywhere. Id love to come visit again.
@@eduardochavacano Thank you for your kind words.
Ya, there is nothing to be ashame off APA NAK MALU ,ITS SINGAPORE ,YA 🐅🐅🐅💟
Singapore Identity is the space between things, how poignant. Love it.
I loved growing up in Singapore! I moved abroad in December, last year after 36 years and during the middle of the pandemic. Couldn’t even meet everyone to say goodbye, so felt weird and cheated, in a way, but am hoping to visit in the future and re-create it, once this blasted bug has gone! All the best for the future, Giles!
Thank you Giles for sharing your perspective. Indeed Singapore has many identities because of its diversity. How time flies, 40 years of adapting to a different country and culture and you know what, you are already one of us. I am actuallly surprised that you can even participated in the 九皇爷庆典 not once but three years in a roll.Kudos to you. WIshing you the best in life for every passing day.
The space within things. Well said. Take care and rest well! Glad you took SG as your home! Fantastic video on National Day itself
Such a beautiful story! Would have been great to learn more about his relationship with Gordon. RIP Gordon
"...not mixed, but ,working side by side..." Majulah Singapura.
Which becoming increasingly difficult as the 2 main abrahamic religions subscribes to foreign crazies.
Dear Gilles, what a moving story you have shared, being here for four decades. All the best for your next adventures in life. And I think we have all been better because you were here.
Indeed, Singapore is rather unique, a small island, consisting of mixed peoples from various & diverse; ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, coming & working together forging a prosperous thriving Nation. It is an anomaly, cannot be replicated anywhere else. Yes, it is our home. Majulah Singapura !
Thank you Giles for bringing up front the very real facts of Singapore. Being a foreigner in Singapore for 40 years, he is very much a Singaporean in his heart, mind and soul. He understands the different culture of the races and is able to assimilate and talk like a Singaporean. What he said was very true.... the "kopitiam" represents Singapore and each and every different race mixed together and yet recognized each others' characteristics and culture. Giles is every part a Singaporean. My "Salute" to him.
Well said,Singapore is my second home and lived longer here than back home.I’m used to it and much more peaceful here.I will be very sad if one day I leave Singapore and retire back home.
As a local, I salute this generous uncles Gilles , in heart and spirit to interact and integrate into our local Chinese culture, knowing and involving more deeply than us for the 九皇爷庆典，viewed highly and respectfully. Sometimes in this world, foreigner appreciate and embrace chinese culture, belief and festival better than Chinese ourself. Thank you for sharing your story and experience with us. 新加坡人爱你哦！🌻🌻
Malay and Indian culture is just as local as Chinese culture....
@@Ccb88888 yes, you are right too. I missed out.
Wherever you choose to put down roots next, Giles, I wish you all the best. Stay safe, be well.
Why did he leave? My phone got problem cant watch video
Wish you all the best 👍 👌 thanks
Maybe it is his last wish to go back France while he still can. And yes he can proudly say he has lived a life he will never regret.
seriously one of the greatest love story
of all time for singapore
In my life I really can see no most anhmo can understand Singapore so well, well done keep it up love your video..
He is a familiar face in Lasalle College of the Arts.
i glad a singaporean made you felt like home for 40 yrs.
Gilles :"Do i belong to Singapore ?"
No monsieur, you are already at home.
Beautiful insights and comments.
Wa! I am impressed how he is blend into us! Thank you for your description of Singapore! Proud to be one. One people one nation …. Majulah!
Safe trip wherever u r moving to. U have left a mark here and u will always be part of Singapore's timeline. Like u say, we are all the in-between. Enjoy the next phase of ur journey. Ur story reminds me of the animated movie "Up".
Aw.......*It is time to go* U r kinda stuck in Tiny SG for 40years very Amazing n thru the years u have so many SG frens but this *Dear Gordan* is the One and Only very very very Special Friend. Stay Safe@France
"they are not mixing, they existed side-by-side, THAT is Singapore" ------ woah well-said!
mr gilles is so humourous! im sure his students will miss him!
A very true perspective of this country thru a foreigner whom has spend most of his life here. As compared to a lot of foreigners whom has not visited this tiny red dot, but full of critics on Singapore being undemocratic, authoritative, no chewing gum, etc . Thank Gilles for sharing your most authentic experiences of being in Singapore. I'm sure your friends in this island will missed you.
Sounds like he has Singapore in his blood.Truly Lived and breathed Singapore.Think it will never leave him no matter where he goes.
Yes Singapore allows the co existence of different cultures...that's what makes us unique
Hello Gilles 👋👋 It was nice meeting you and knowing you 👍 great work. (I was the agent that brought my client to view the unit 😂)
Mr. Giles, safe journey back! Wherever you may be, you've been a Singapore son already... good to do a follow-up vid when you get settled down in france...
I think he’s more Singaporean than Singaporean
Interesting!
Amazing Colourful journey!
Best of the best now and the same in years to come!
⚘⚘⚘
what a great short documentary. Right to the heart. Kudos to the production team and interviewer for all effort to get to know G&G and allow him to share and for you to bring the story and message to us. Thank you for making me proud to be a Singaporean again.
Love this angmoh. Well said
Dear Giles, Sorry for your loss, wish you shared more about your beautiful journey with Gordon. Even though it may seem that this chapter is ending, Singapore will always be your home if you ever need one.
How we all Singaporean wish ,all ang mo are like you..you understand Singapore style and the people
what a beautiful story and person! Thank you!
Beautiful Story
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story, its sad that you're leaving but i feel Singapore will always welcome you when u decide to come home.
Home is where the heart is. But hearts may change. Even at 67.
You belong to yourself and you do what you like. Good luck!
this man seems so full of love for life. the lack of mention of his sexuality really is touching to me, as a young gay boy. i really hope i could have something like what he and gordon have one day.
Hope u continue to live life happily like u always have. There is always a space here for u and those who had make SG a uni place.
Hope there r people to take care of him in France.
Respect to this Pak Tua! like a Malay idioms “dimana bumi dipijak disitu langit dijunjung”. similar like “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. And he did it.
Thank you very much, Giles! ❤️
Thank you TRS for this sharing! This is heartfelt genuinity. Appreciate Gilles for staying with us and growing with us embracing diversities in SG 🤗
🇸🇬❣❤🙆🏻♂️❤❣🇸🇬
🏳️🌈❣❤👬🏻❤❣🏳️🌈
Thank you for making Singapore your 🏠
This is a Singaporean Love Story.
❤️❤️❤️
Good video. Thanks for sharing !
French have three names and the forth is their surname, romantic story, maybe is time for him to go back to France and to his hometown
au revior Giles..safe journey..
The rainbow on his elbow is just perfect *chef kiss*
He even developed singaporean accent 😂
See very few Ang moh in Singapore theses days. Have all gone home it seems
Best wishes Gilles! 🇸🇬 💕
🙏 Like one Guru once said : It's the Good People that have Cultivated & Accumulated Good Merits that made the Place they lived Safer , Healthier , More Organised , Peaceful , Prosperous & Happier for All to Stay , Together! 🙏 Thank You So Much to All the Good People who have made Singapore & Malaysia a Safe & Good Place to work & to stay! 🌷🌿🌏💜🕊🇸🇬🇲🇾
Why is it "time to go"? Cldnt see/find it in the video?
Donc, il va quitter Singapour très prochainement ? Ça ce que j'ai compris... Une très belle histoire...
Awesome Sharing👍
May we realize/not..
Live in here(S'pore)very Unique to say abt n describes..but Do we realized..we all live in calm n smooth/even harder way together as a (ONE NATION OF SINGAPORE)..and for All The Most Important is..We Strives Every Our Journey In Our Own Way..In Our Own Patient And Passion.
That Are We All...🇸🇬💕💕💕💕💕
As we can see,homosexuals can be peace loving people and just like any straight person.i hope the govt will consider repealing the law that discriminate against them.🙂
nothing to do with the government. its the people that are opposing it.
@@ehlim2093 who says,government set the law.unless there is a referendum by all singaporean ,then i would agree with you.i can vote a mp to the govt but i might not agree with his policy.Give me your arguments that it is not set by the parliament or govt.🙂
hi @@tanjohnny6511 , you are technically right and I agree with you actually even though there is no data on where the majority is. Truth is that i would vote for the rights of the homosexuals as well.
but if the government were to issue a referendum over all issues, there is a good risk that it would end up dividing the country and also detract the citizen's focus from more urgent matters. the fact that this video is being shared freely and that most of us are openly accepting of homosexuals already says a lot about the the government's stance on the issue. the only step now is to legalize it in paper. but this risk protest and unrest from the more conservative groups in Singapore. So i would not be in favor of making a point to legalize homosexuality for now.
btw, i appreciate your civilized response :)
to be clear, civilized response to my uncivilized sweeping statement response. haha. have a good night
@@ehlim2093 so,why homosexual got no rights to get married and buy a bto flat,this is plain homophobic to me.Of course in a society there will be different mindset due to religious or cultural upbringing but in this modern era ,we should not bow down to a group religious beliefs.We should have referendum on important issues like this where a certain group of people are discriminated.We all are human beings and will end up in the mortuary someday.Equality to all is my take in life,have a nice day.🙂
Would love to hear Gilles & Gordon's story
Honoured to know him. He led a very localised life not content to mingle solely with the expat community if at all.
Majulah Singapura🇸🇬
go where you treated the best!
Beautiful content - love this
Best wishes Gilles! Take care whereve you go nexg
Where you belong? YOU belong here la. Its not bcs you stay here 40 years, because you feel this is home and you make it a home. Boomz. You singaporean kau hahaha. Sorry for your lost but wow..... envy those who lived here from 80s to 90s and now the omg era. Witnessing the transformation of the tiny dot. He probably have so much more story to tell.
Hi guys do you live in Singapore? If yes, please say Hi Because I am planning to come overthere and would be glad to have friends there before I land there
Wow! Hes really soaking in the culture!
It is very difficult to get what he was saying.
Take Care & Enjoyyyy
An excellent video. Interesting, but kinda tragic. Different perspective on Sg.
This is a amazing story. Gilles has had an amazing journey in Singapore, and I'm truly sorry for his loss of Gordon.
But just an observation: I would have thought that an expat is typically someone sent by a corporate HQ to another country to perform a regional role, not just anyone going to another country for a job. The latter will just be an "immigrant" looking for a job overseas, as I see it. For instance, a British working as a teacher in the US would surely not be regarded as an expat. I have travelled to Singapore before and it appeared that the locals regarded all European-looking foreigners working in Singapore as expats. I thought it was rather strange.
I want to meet this guy even though I have not even heard of him yet
We had a long history of ang mo Singaporeans.
Au revoir Professor Gilles. Je vous souhait bonne continuation chez vous en France. Un pays où les soignes medicaux sont moins cheers.
sad to hear him going.......i think he is more singaporean then more os the singaporean......
40 years? oh my God. You going back to France? Heard it's bad there!
Total BS. France is a wonderful country. Fantastic food, fashion, exciting cities, great nature, beaches, mountains for skiing. World-leading companies at the cutting edge of different technologies, beautiful women etc.... .Not to mention the architectural heritage. People you can actually have an intellectual conversation with. People with opinions. A 35-hour work-week. Singapore doesn't hold a candle to France....
To each preference. Food may not to everyone’s liking, French fashion may not work for some, weather may not be the best for some too whom like 25-35 degrees weather. Companies wouldn’t like France over Singapore due to the mentioned work culture and taxes. Women, 😂, to each their own rofl. Healthcare, Singapore can be mentioned in the same breath as the best in the world as seen during this pandemic. France indeed has her beauty, Singapore holds her ground as well. But of course, we don’t have the culture of putting down others unless necessary. That’s Asian culture for you.
Plus we don’t have incessant protests on the streets, and burn buildings and innocent shops to make a senseless statement and destroy the people’s lives. We don’t have folks storming into places of worships, slaughtering innocent folks, but we live and love everyone around us. We don’t have crimes so aplenty, murders so frequent, social unrest spilling on the streets, stretching the municipal enforcing agencies’ resources beyond what they can handle… honestly, beautiful place to live in, is really up to one’s preference and perception.. cheers
Going to miss you😁😁🌷
I ffw to watch. Who is Gordon ? His friend or lover ?
Wait kaypoh means "very curious, want to know something?", thats very similar to Indonesian's "kepo" which means the same thing.
Correct. Originated/borrowed from Hokkien chinese language.
From 鸡婆, meaning nosey old hen… poking the nose in everything… haha …
That’s the beauty of Southeast Asian culture and language, we are but a big melting pot 😘👍
Home is where "you" belong
Yeah you got that right. Different ethnic mix together they're together side by side but many of the chinese&indians can't speak malay.Singapore is slowly but surely turning into another Hongkong.Singapore is gradually loosing its identity.These days the Chinese Singaporean don't mingle much with malays&indian Singaporean.
LOVE ALL SERVE ALL.
My favorite destination right now is probably Saudi Arabia when travelling gets easier.