Sarong party girl
Encyclopedia
Sarong Party Girl is a derogatory term used in Singapore
and (to a lesser extent) in Peninsular Malaysia.
It describes a local, solely Asian woman
(e.g., a Chinese
or Malay girl) who usually dresses and behaves in a provocative manner, and who exclusively dates and prefers white men
. This can be considered a variant of the Pinkerton Syndrome. The Sarong Party Girl stereotype was popularised by a series of humorous books by Jim Aitchison in the 1990s, offering a satirical portrayal of the SPG and related aspects of Singaporean culture.
The term has its fairly innocuous roots in the late 1940s-early 1950s when Singapore was still ruled by the British. As a general practice, the British forces personnel socialised very much among themselves, according to their military ranks and status (i.e. officers as opposed to enlisted men). However, there were some instances when specific local "guests" were invited to social functions hosted by the British. The term 'Sarong Party' came into use to describe social functions which included local invited 'ladies'. The sarong
is a wrap-around skirt that is part of Malay formal dress, popular among local men and women of the time. It is still worn today. Over time, the term has taken on a somewhat more derogatory meaning.
, but that has changed. Many of them now frequent nightclub
s or other nightspots that are popular with expatriate
white men, in order to meet and form relationships with them. Sarong Party Girls are known to prowl specific nightspots in Singapore
along Orchard Towers, Boat Quay
, Clarke Quay
, Emerald Hill
and City Hall; the classic location being the now-defunct Carnegies at Far East Square.
Sarong Party Girls in local entertainment are usually portrayed as gold-digging, husband-snatching Asian siren
s. This perception contributed much to Singapore's decadent image in the 1970s, as seen in films such as Saint Jack
.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and (to a lesser extent) in Peninsular Malaysia.
It describes a local, solely Asian woman
Asian people
Asian people or Asiatic people is a term with multiple meanings that refers to people who descend from a portion of Asia's population.- Central Asia :...
(e.g., a Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
or Malay girl) who usually dresses and behaves in a provocative manner, and who exclusively dates and prefers white men
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
. This can be considered a variant of the Pinkerton Syndrome. The Sarong Party Girl stereotype was popularised by a series of humorous books by Jim Aitchison in the 1990s, offering a satirical portrayal of the SPG and related aspects of Singaporean culture.
The term has its fairly innocuous roots in the late 1940s-early 1950s when Singapore was still ruled by the British. As a general practice, the British forces personnel socialised very much among themselves, according to their military ranks and status (i.e. officers as opposed to enlisted men). However, there were some instances when specific local "guests" were invited to social functions hosted by the British. The term 'Sarong Party' came into use to describe social functions which included local invited 'ladies'. The sarong
Sarong
A sarong or sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women throughout much of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric most often has woven plaid or...
is a wrap-around skirt that is part of Malay formal dress, popular among local men and women of the time. It is still worn today. Over time, the term has taken on a somewhat more derogatory meaning.
Common traits and stereotypes
The stereotypical Sarong Party Girl has extremely tanned skin, a false foreign accent and is provocatively dressed. Once the outfit of choice was a bikini/tank-top paired with a sarongSarong
A sarong or sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women throughout much of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric most often has woven plaid or...
, but that has changed. Many of them now frequent nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s or other nightspots that are popular with expatriate
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
white men, in order to meet and form relationships with them. Sarong Party Girls are known to prowl specific nightspots in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
along Orchard Towers, Boat Quay
Boat Quay
Boat Quay is a historical quay in Singapore which is situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River on its southern bank.It was the busiest part of the old Port of Singapore, handling three quarters of all shipping business during the 1860s...
, Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is a historical riverside quay in Singapore, located within the Singapore River Planning Area. The quay is situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River and Boat Quay.-Etymology:...
, Emerald Hill
Emerald Hill, Singapore
Emerald Hill is a neighbourhood and a conservation area located in the planning areas of Newton and Orchard in Singapore. Former home to many members of the city-state's wealthy Peranakan community, it is located near Orchard Road. Many of its homes feature Chinese Baroque architecture...
and City Hall; the classic location being the now-defunct Carnegies at Far East Square.
Sarong Party Girls in local entertainment are usually portrayed as gold-digging, husband-snatching Asian siren
Siren
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous mermaid like creatures, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Roman poets placed them on an island called Sirenum scopuli...
s. This perception contributed much to Singapore's decadent image in the 1970s, as seen in films such as Saint Jack
Saint Jack
Saint Jack is a 1973 novel by Paul Theroux and a 1979 film of the same name. It tells the life of Jack Flowers, a pimp in Singapore. Feeling hopeless and undervalued, Jack tries to make money by setting up his own bordello, and clashes with Chinese triad members in the process.Ben Gazzara stars as...
.
See also
- Ang moAng MoAng mo or Ang moh is a racial epithet describing Caucasian , mainly in Malaysia and Singapore. It literally means "red-haired" and originates from Hokkien...
- Pinkerton Syndrome
- AmejoAmejois a Japanese derogatory term meaning American- girls and is directed to young Okinawan women who date male members of the U.S. armed forces, specifically white...
- Asian fetishism
- Yellow cab (stereotype)Yellow cab (stereotype)is a term referring to an ethnic stereotype of Japanese women, and by extension other Asians, suggesting that they are sexually available to foreign men...