Over many years of fame and popularity has attracted much negative attention from the locals of Singapore. It might be due to the fact that we have been living in our own world apart from the locals of Singapore which could have lead to misunderstandings of how we Rafflesians lead our everyday lives. I am not saying that we have completely divided ourselves from other citizens from Singapore. I just fear that many people might have negative views on how Rafflesians act. No one knows for a fact, but it is evident that someone out there has showed a negative point of view about Rafflesians.
It has been claimed that Rafflesians have brains but no grace, that Rafflesians have high IQ but low EQ. The reason to this is unknown but I could quite firmly disagree with this statement. Having studied in Raffles Institution for some time, I would admit that there would be an element of biasness in disagreement to this statement. However, I believe that we should handle our views on Rafflesians on a case by case basis and not be so hasty as to cast our opinions.
Firstly, students from Raffles Institution must have graduated from some primary school before. In what way are we able to determine a child’s personality when he has experienced multiple ways of upbringing? When people say that we have brains but no grace, are they referring to the existence of arrogance in the Rafflesian society? It is known that arrogance is a result of performing better than another party. However, arrogance is further amplified when you display it in a renowned school to the extent that it attracts bad attention. We should not deny the fact that arrogance is displayed in every individual as it is all a result of human nature. Besides, not all Rafflesians show off their peacock feathers out in the public. I believe there are those who hide themselves with humility.
Secondly, the point about having high IQ and low EQ. EQ is usually defined as common sense. This is probably due to how we relate our emotions to different groups of people in the community. Let us first regard every person in Singapore as an equal individual. This is evident from the fact that we live in the same way every other secondary student has. Waking up, going to school, coming home and many others. I can also safely say most Rafflesians relate to the citizens of Singapore in the same way as how other students do. So exactly in what way do we lack in terms of EQ?
I am sure this topic has triggered a hot debate among us Rafflesians and probably those people who are concerned. Maybe it is the ugly truth that we have to face. However, I hope that the public would consider our actions carefully before posting such extreme comments.
