The Harry Potter (“HP”) craze recently left me really dumbfounded. We see boys, girls, man, women, uncles and aunties burying their heads in the new HP book while taking the public transport, having their meals at our local food courts, or *gasp* while walking on the street!
It seems like a complete farce that you realize some of these HP fans probably only read 5 books in the last 10 years or so (Yea – the 5 books of the series written by Ms Rowling!). Well, I am not surprised if the other things they read religously are The New Paper tabloid, Her World magazine, the weekly Watson’s promotional flyers (I am grateful to a friend who often inform me the terms and conditions that were in fine print, so I won't be tricked into a bargain). I suspect some of these peepz may be trying to testify that they are not just academically qualified and technically sound money-makers, but also arty-farty enough appreciate the fine literal arts (*yea, we all know it's a children's fantasy book*).
And a friend recently raved about finishing the latest HP book. I mean - does it make any difference if you managed to obtain and complete the book on the day it was launched. It could only mean - 1) you're a fast reader, or 2) you'd skipped all the boring chapters. *hiaks*
All in all, I guess the wiring of a typical Singaporean could be a primary reason for the Harry Potter madness. I so swear that kiasu-ism (read: the uncontrollable tendency to maximize an opportunity, and minimize a risk) runs in our blood. Else you will not have witnessed the amazing Hello-Kitty queues for corporate freebies at train stations, launch of new condominiums, movie sneak previews, yada yada, and the list goes on. So if there’s an item that everyone is trying to get, it makes (no) sense to get it before other people get it.
Disclaimer: Yours truly has nothing against the mediocre book, cg-loaded movie and all the pretty fans of the franchise. So go on, read the book and be happy!
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