Food made us Stronger Together, regardless of race, language or religion

Food is the thing that binds us all together in Singapore, regardless of race or nationality. Relations are strengthen over food, arguments are settled over food, celebration are done over food, and sorrow are drown over food. We even bicker with our neighbour Malaysia over whose food is better, and who really first created what dish.

I believe hawker culture is anchor of our social fabric. Everyone have access to cheap food easily. I believe Singapore had grown very strong together because of that, when we never have to worry about our belly, we can spend those time thinking of ways to fix other problems.

Although we complain about our food prices rising due to the high inflation era, I'm thankful we still have access to cheaper food compared to other countries. Some countries don't even have food now. Millions are reported that they are dying from starvation due to food shortage.

Even though food prices are rising, there are still many hawkers that refuse to increase their prices because their customers didn't get huge pay rises. At the coffeeshop near my place, I still can get $2 cai fan (2 veg 1 rice). That is helping to feed all the workers and residents nearby, while helping them to cushion the impact of inflation. They are helping to make us stronger together, literally and figuratively, to face this era of uncertainty.

It is not the tanks and airplanes that makes us stronger together, it is the people behind the tanks and airplane that makes us stronger together. It is not the fireworks and celebrations that makes us stronger together, it is the people behind the fireworks and celebrations that makes us stronger together.

We are a nation of people that never have to worry about our next meal, because we have people who are working hard to provide us cheap and affordable meals. That makes us stronger together