by

Raymond Kwok
 

1) Speaks "King's English" with a mixture of Hokkien / Malay words.

2) Able to write and express himself well in English, some speak with cultivated English accent.

3) Probably had an English education overseas - England .

4) Favours Western clothes: hats , bows , neckties, waistcoats, jackets while at work 

5) Prefers to wear the roomy sarong and white cotton sleeves T - shirt at home .

6) Wears elegant imported leather shoes k'ok-k'ok-eh at work, though he finds it more practical to wear wooden clogs at home .

7) The rich Baba loves horse racing, gambling, ballroom dancing, motor racing, visiting the cabaret, hunting , radio listening, drinking , womanizing , singing and swimming 

8) Avoids menial jobs ; some need not work at all.

9) The fabulously rich would have their own stables, vintage cars, bi-planes and mansions.
 

11) Carries a pocket watch attached to a silver or gold chain. Swaggers about using a walking stick.

12) He is usually a professional, a doctor, a lawyers, an architect, or a civil servant. 

13) Owns European artefacts such as:
a) Silverware : trophies , tea sets , cutlery .
b) English silver dinner sets, teacups and teapots .
c) English glassware and furniture .

German figurines from Raymond Kwok's collection:
These were used as wedding cake decorations

14) Collects English royal memorabilia : From Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.

15) He has a library of English books , dictionary , encyclopedia .

16) He owns record players or gramophones spinning English records.

17)  Loves Western Classical Opera- the operas of Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, Rossini, Donizetti etc. even though he may not understand any of the lyrics.

18) Chooses to play the piano, guitar, violin, accordion etc. Forms musical bands.

19) Sings Western favourite folk songs and songs from Western and Hollywood movies and Broadway musicals. Later enjoys Dondang Sayang, Keronchong, Lagu Asli (traditional songs). 

20)  Enjoys Western style dancing like ballet, modern dance, ballroom, tap-dancing, folk dancing etc. Also enjoys dancing Malay ronggeng, joget and Thai Ramvong.

21) Plays Western chess and Western outdoor games. Loves British sports: cricket, football rugby, hockey, tennis, badminton, cycling, motoring, horse racing,, swimming, diving, waterloo, flying and even photography.

22) Respects the British National Anthem, "God Save The Queen".

23) Undivided loyalty and respect to England .

24) Prefers to converse mainly in English among friends and peers.

25) Children sent to schools in England .

26)  He prefers to join the Civil service as administrator or teacher. Others (from rich families) go overseas to study and come back as lawyers or doctors. 

27)  In urban areas prefers to live in eclectic style terrace house. 
 

29)  Addressing every one of his elders in turn and inviting them to eat at meal times.

30)  Elders themselves have to set very good examples in speech, manners, eating and dressing. Inculcate good values to the young.

31)  Addresses a relative, friend or an elder correctly and politely for example: tua ko, tua so, jee pek, jee chim, kor, ee, tneoh, peow chi and so on.

32)   Never rude to elders - always uses polite language when speaking to them.

33)  Dresses neatly and appropriately for the occasion. Avoids wearing red to a funeral wake,  black or blue clothes to a wedding or any auspicious occasion.

34)  Supervises and pays great attention or detail in the preparation of food and carrying out ancestral rites before the altar table.

35)  Visits among relatives and close friends are encouraged: oo-lai, oo-k'i.

36)  Quite tolerant of the religious beliefs of other races. Consults Chinese mediums, Malay Datoks/Nenek when need arises.
 

38)  Upholds his dignity, maintains his pride and fulfils his promises.

39) Celebrates birthdays and anniversaries as does a Westerner.

40)   Babas who have turned Christian would have married in the Western style, in Western wedding costumes and in full Christian wedding ceremonies. But they still retain and observe the traditional Chinese wedding tea-serving ceremony (especially for non Christian parents and relatives).

41)  Follows closely the traditional Hokkien-style funeral service.

42)  Funeral rites, superstitions, forms of burial, funerary time-table, mourning clothes and the addition of 3 years for Heaven, Earth and Man to the deceased actual age. Burial or cremation rites observed.

43)  Christian Babas would adopt Christian style of funeral and funeral rites. Burials after Church service.

44)  Has knowledge of the Animal of the Chinese Lunar Year in which he was born. Ability to calculate another person's age if he knows the Animal year in which the person was born.

45) Favours sons over daughters.

46)  Reluctant to make a will (being highly superstitious).

47)  Not interested in learning, speaking Mandarin or writing Chinese. Prefers to speak Hokkien (his mother tongue) with a mixture of Malay and English.

48)  Snubs or avoids the Chinese educated and despises other Chinese groups privately calling the Chinaberry sinker (newcomers), terng-snua ta (stupid Chin amen), the latter term applied to menial workers or low class, coarse folk having no status or class.