Australian native Raelene Tan and her Singaporean Chinese husband Soo Ren are celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary this year, but it really wasn't that easy being cross-cultural couple back in 1960s.
In a video produced by the Singapore Memory Project, the couple recall facing outright rejection about their interracial relationship, such as the time when Raelene was called a prostitute by a stranger when the couple was spotted holding hands in public.
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It was in a house off Orchard Road, 1970s: “Eating at the table was a bit of a drama for me… because everybody would ask everyone else to eat. Father, mother, grandfather, sister… have your meal. By the time I asked everyone to eat, they’d finished and left the table. I’m still sitting there.” These 30 or so family members who ate meals with Raelene, who is originally from Australia, welcomed her and her Singaporean spouse Soo Ren when they arrived from London five years after Singapore became independent in 1965 – a time when interracial relationships were rare. Is there a pioneer you are most thankful to? Honour their contributions by sharing your fondest memories in the comment section or tag #GreatestGift #sgmemory
Posted by irememberSG on Sunday, 12 April 2015
There were also the quirky moments when Raelene was still getting used to Chinese traditions during mealtimes, and the time when both of their parents met together and weren't able to communicate.
On top of all that, their marriage was still similar to all other marriages, where compromise became the crux of their long lasting relationship. Heartwarming stuff, really.
Australian native Raelene Tan and her Singaporean Chinese husband Soo Ren are celebrating their 47th wedding anniversary this year, but it really wasn't that easy being cross-cultural couple back in 1960s.
In a video produced by the Singapore Memory Project, the couple recall facing outright rejection about their interracial relationship, such as the time when Raelene was called a prostitute by a stranger when the couple was spotted holding hands in public.
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It was in a house off Orchard Road, 1970s: “Eating at the table was a bit of a drama for me… because everybody would ask everyone else to eat. Father, mother, grandfather, sister… have your meal. By the time I asked everyone to eat, they’d finished and left the table. I’m still sitting there.” These 30 or so family members who ate meals with Raelene, who is originally from Australia, welcomed her and her Singaporean spouse Soo Ren when they arrived from London five years after Singapore became independent in 1965 – a time when interracial relationships were rare. Is there a pioneer you are most thankful to? Honour their contributions by sharing your fondest memories in the comment section or tag #GreatestGift #sgmemory
Posted by irememberSG on Sunday, 12 April 2015
There were also the quirky moments when Raelene was still getting used to Chinese traditions during mealtimes, and the time when both of their parents met together and weren't able to communicate.
On top of all that, their marriage was still similar to all other marriages, where compromise became the crux of their long lasting relationship. Heartwarming stuff, really.