Coffeeshop Lingo

The coffeeshop is such a common scene in Singapore. Describing their presence as "ubiquitous" is certainly not an exaggeration. In every neighbourhood centre, there are a few coffeeshops and these are places where fellow Singaporeans sample local and inexpensive food. Coffeeshop culture is so entrenched in the Singaporean psyche that a certain lingo has evolved to describe the various drinks served in coffeeshops. The names are primarily a mixture of Malay and Hokkien, and I try to compile a list here.

Essentially the rules of grammar starts with "Kopi" (for coffee with milk and sugar) and "Teh" (for tea with milk and sugar). Then you add different suffixes to describe if milk or sugar is added, whether you want it strong or diluted, whether you want it with more or less sugar, or served cold, and the type of milk to add to this concoction. So here goes ....

Kopi/Teh - Coffee/Tea

Kopi/Teh Oh - Black Coffee/Tea

Kopi/Teh Kosong - Coffee/Tea with no sugar

Kopi/Teh Gau - Strong Coffee/Tea

Kopi/Teh Po - Diluted Coffee/Tea

Kopi/Tea Siew Dai - Coffee/Tea with less sugar

Kopi/Teh Peng - Iced Coffee/Tea

Kopi/Teh Si - Coffee/Tea with evaporated milk

The grammar allows you to chain up any of these suffixes. So if you are a coffee addict and prefer strong black coffee, then you can order "Kopi Oh Gau".

You can even mix coffee and tea together call "Yuan Yang" which is the name of a bird that represents love and commitment in Chinese culture.

To take this to the extreme, I wonder how will the coffeeshop owners react if you order odd combinations like "Yuan Yang Oh Gau" or "Yuan Yang Gau Si Siew Dai Peng".

Incidently, the last order means... A mixture of strong coffee and tea with evaporated milk but less sweet and on ice.

A Kegel exercise for compassion

For women, Kegel exercise is done to tone and strengthen the lower pelvic muscles. It consists of contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor. This can be done during prenanacy to prepare the pelvic muscles for the stresses of vaginal childbirth. After childbirth, these muscle loose muscle tone and may lead to urinary incontinence. The same exercise may improve urinary control.

The easiest way to locate these muscles is during urination. When the flow begins, just contract the muscles down-under to stop the stream completely. Once you have found them, you can begin your Kegel exercise almost anywhere and anytime. Clench, hold and then release the muscles repeatedly for 10 sec. Repeat this cycle for a number of times, taking a 10 sec break between each cycle.
Kegel exercise can be done anytime, anywhere and with hands free. That's the wonderful bit. You can do a workout when you are at your desk, travelling in a bus or sipping tea in a cafe. If you put up a straight face and don't make "Ohh..." "Ahh..." noises, no one will know and it is the cheapest form of exercise to toughen that muscle.

Similarly, there is another "Kegel" exercise, not to toughen, but to soften your heart. I am talking about a mental exercise for compassion, empathy, 将心比心 etc. I have tried this on many occasions and it lightens my mood. Like training your pelvic muscles, you can also do this anytime, anyplace and no one will find out. How do you do this ? Simple......

If you are out walking, and you spot an elderly person.... send him a prayer silently. "Wishing you good health and happiness"

If you are on the road driving and you see a cyclist... from your heart, send him a prayer too. "Please ride safely"

If you are outside a school and see lots of energetic school children... give them your well wishes too. "Children .. Study well and grow up strong and healthy. The future is there for you !"

Most importantly, when you miss your family and friends, don't forget to send your well wishes and prayers to them. Wish them well, good health and happiness.

If you are feeling down, I believe you will feel better if you do this a few times. Try it !!