this morning while we were having law tutorial and yean yean was talking about all those previous cases, two people sitting beside me mentioned that how come all the cases we study are english cases, (well i tot it's a common knowledge that singapore follows english law system?), and joked about there isn't any chinese cases mentioned, probably they don't even have trial in china.

at this point of time i happened to be looking into that direction and overheard that conversation, so i gave them a stare. they soon realised it was not very appropriate and the person sitting right next to me tried to apologize. well, i knew they were joking and although not very pleansant i could still take it as a joke. what made it worse was the way he apologized. 'but it's true right? that law system in china never really evolved from the past?'

now here, is that a question or statement? i m not sure. to me it sounds more like a statement with a question mark for decoration. even if he did want to ask such a question, he already had that assumption in mind that china is still a barbaric country with an emperor who chops off people's heads as he wishes. this person, from what i know about him, means no harm. but i think he has really watched way too much tv and knew very little about the real world out there.

if you are going to make a judgement about something you are not familiar with, could you at least do some background research to find out more before making some rash statement? i know it's natural that people in singapore view chinese nationals with some prejudice and they think china is not such a developed country as singapore. but hello, i can deal with strangers who think we chinese students trying to rent a house will bring guys back to stay over (different guys each night some more) and do drugs in her house, but i dun want to get into such situation with my own friends who have known me for a few years.

let's just say, when china still had emperors, there was already law. the famous justice bao? heard of that couch potatos? in fact countries like china, india have very long history of established law system. (hey the lecturer said that k? were u listenning? btw i dun think there is a perfect law system anywhere lor. if singapore law is so perfect why do u think he has to be so sarcastic?) put the past aside. well, the law system in china probably is a bit different from singapore. and the country is undergoing big transition in social and economical aspect, so the transition and development in law system might not be totally in pace with that. there might be loopholes here and there. but it is evolving, fast! it's 21st century and china is hosting olympics in 3yrs time!

my point is, if you really don't know, it's ok. but dun make assumptions, dun prejudice, at least be open about it and enquire. there is a whole world outside singapore. ok?