Myanmar, October 2014

I was sent on a business trip to Myanmar. It was a trip of many firsts. First business trip. First time to Myanmar. First time flying SQ.

As a young adult exploring the world, it's great to be able to travel and see how business is conducted in other countries. There is still so much to see and experience and learn. Previously I was the pleasure traveler, the one who checked the 'for holiday' box in the 'purpose of travel' section in immigration cards. It is a strange feeling to be checking the 'for business' box this time.

I was anticipating the famed service on the Singapore Airlines flight. Coming from a humble background, I never had the chance to fly on the national carrier before. It was always budget airlines where-ever I went. It was the only way I knew how to fly. When I sat in the SQ cabin and the lovely air-stewardess offered me a warm towel, I knew that things have changed.

It was quite an eye-opening experience. It certainly did help me to clear many misconceptions about the country. Before I left, I consciously downgraded my wardrobe, opting for a simple $16 Casio watch. I didn't want to attract attention, especially since I knew I'll be in the villages, where the most of the people live below the poverty line and earn US$100-200 a month. I even joked to some friends that I was trying to learn Burmese for "Please don't kidnap me, I've got no money". As it turns out, I couldn't be more mistaken.

The people are warm, friendly and hospitable. After years of isolation, they are eager to see foreigners and learn from them. It is as if they think foreigners are sophisticated city people with many things to teach them. I hope they don't learn the wrong things, as some city people are clearly idiots. As a result of that perception, I was given the red carpet treatment. It also helped that K-pop is very popular here, so my fairer complexion helped elevate my 'social status', despite me not being remotely Korean.

It is really awkward to have an adult of 15-20 years of working experience treat you so well and go out of the way to answer your every question and fulfill your every request. In some cases, they even prepare a room for a private audience, despite me speaking little or no Burmese at all. I ask myself: what have I done to deserve this royal treatment?

The answer is that I've done nothing to deserve this. Truth be told, it is all thanks to the work done by our Singapore pioneers, who build a solid reputation for incorruptibility, efficiency and business savvy. I am just enjoying the fruits of their labours. I am sitting under the shade of the tree they've planted decades ago.

Burma gained independence in 1948, about 20 years earlier than Singapore. They've had a massive headstart. Yet, Singapore has powered ahead from third world to first. Myanmar suffers from cronyism and nepotism, and their people have suffered. Singaporeans have a lot to be grateful for, yet here your hear incessant complaints of the shortcomings of our nation. Recently, there was a huge uproar over the Central Providend Fund (CPF). People are complaining of the low, albeit guaranteed, returns it provides. They have donated $100k to an idiot to champion their case, who is perhaps now better known for heckling special needs children. Myanmar doesn't even have social security! Heck, they don't even have stable electricity, drinking water from the tap, paved roads, good quality public housing, amongst many other things that we take for granted! We really have a lot to be thankful for.

I've had the privilege of having a private dinner with one the guys at the upper echelon of the bank's management. Lets call him T. As usual, before I met somebody important, I like to read up all about that person. T had an illustrious career spanning over 20 years. You would think that somebody like that will act all mighty and pompous. But he was dressed in an unassuming manner and spoke softly and gently. He is like that to everyone, including his drivers. Beneath that unassuming exterior however, belies a very sharp mind. He started working at 14 years of age and did not enjoy a university education. Yet, he rose to become who he is today. Looks like the school of hard knocks has taught him much more than what a rosy, comfortable university education could.

This is just the No. 2 guy in the organization. Don't even start me started on the No. 1 guy. His amazing story calls for an entire blog post.

I've learned that wealth is a magnifier. If you're a nice guy to begin with, wealth can make you even nicer, protecting and sheltering even more people. If you're an asshole to begin with, wealth just amplifies that.

Another important realization from this trip is that I enjoy human interaction much more than fancy food. I was given the entitlement of an international buffet spread for all my breakfasts and dinners. It such an experience, what with the grand ballroom setting, expensive seafood and free-flowing chocolate fondue fountains. Except that it gets lonely after the second day. The reason is simple: humans are creatures who crave social interaction. Come to think about it, I enjoyed the simple sit down dinner I had with T much more than the fancy buffet spread, because of the interaction. I asked so many questions and he shared freely.

I would also rather a simple meal at Old Airport hawker after a hard climbing session with some buddies than an expensive, over-the-top affair. Food tastes much better like that. I do not want to fall into the consumerist trap of buying things I don't need, with money I don't have, to impress people I don't like.

As it turns out, throughout the trip I didn't have use for the "Please don't kidnap me" phrase at all. In fact, I used jay zu ding ba de very often, which means thank you very much.