Breaking ASEAN Stereotypes
Southeast Asians often rank, compare, and stereotype one another, with common phrases including:
- Singaporeans are too strict
- Malaysians are too soft
- Filipinos are too noisy
- Thais are too easygoing
Despite the goal of "one community," these divides run deeper than slogans suggest.
As ASEAN leaders gather for the 47th ASEAN Summit, the question of how well Southeast Asians truly understand one another lingers.
For example, Luo Chen Jun, a former Singaporean civil servant, notices people often see his country first during regional exchanges.
Author's summary: ASEAN unity faces challenges from regional stereotypes.