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“Words of Wisdom” is an initiative to document and celebrate the stories, insights, and wisdom of Singapore’s senior citizens. It's powered by Folklory, a service dedicated to preserving stories through audio podcasts, who will collaborate with 60 seniors aged 60 and above to create a series of 60 podcasts, each capturing a unique slice of Singapore’s rich history and culture. Find out more info at Folklory.com
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:24:08
Unknown
Hello there. This is Terence from folkloric. What you're about to listen to is a podcast from the Words of Wisdom Project, where we spoke to 60 Singaporeans over the age of 64 as you, 60, and captured their life lessons for the next generation. We hope you enjoy it.
00:00:24:10 - 00:00:46:17
Unknown
And we're here today to do this for glory with Patrick. Maybe the best way for us to start, Patrick, is for you to just give a quick introduction of yourself. Okay. I am a fake tan now, at the age of 73. Retired. I'm doing some part time taxi driving. Yeah. Got it. Got it, got it.
00:00:46:17 - 00:01:10:06
Unknown
So, you know, we're here today to talk a little bit about your words of wisdom. You know, you've lived a very, very long and storied life. And I'm sure that there's stories that you have to pass down to future generations of Singaporeans. Yeah. Can we talk a little bit about, What, what you, in terms of your career, in your work?
00:01:10:08 - 00:01:39:16
Unknown
Like, what is one important lesson that you've learned, that you feel that young people today should know? My career is, driving taxi since 1983. But then think me and I talked about maybe eight years ago retire. Doing some part time driving. You know, few lives, but okay. For me, maybe I'm lucky to don.
00:01:39:18 - 00:02:28:19
Unknown
Not not much of a hiccup. And part of, compared to some other people, because I'm a taxi driver, you know, I come across many kinds of people. There are many grievances. Sometimes I listen on their release. Sometimes, even though I myself consider very lucky to have an easy life, but not so hard working. Okay. But then what has, kept you motivated, you know, all these years of being, you know, driving a taxi and having, hearing people's grievances and dealing with as a, as a driver, you know, sometimes, this, I practically because I feel a lot more freedom, but I have my own time when I was young.
00:02:28:21 - 00:03:01:15
Unknown
And so then it's more, I guess. And then to that I am leaving from the taxi driver, and then I can take care of my when been going to school or the family going to on my own. That's on my life. So. Got it, got it. I see. So in terms of when you hear about young people today, you know, I mean, there's a lot of young people who are driving private hire vehicles.
00:03:01:18 - 00:03:30:08
Unknown
Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. What what advice do you have for these young people? Okay. So I went off earlier. It's the same profession before me. We are waiting for college, and so I. My advice to them, we can work that, but not to, be and not be good enough. So try to dictate what would help them.
00:03:30:10 - 00:04:03:24
Unknown
Don't try it yourself because, when you tell yourself you can't do it now, you'll be 30 years later or that later you will feel more. Maybe not good for your health. Yeah. I said help with the way. Then you will be happy. Okay. So, I mean, as a as a driver, I'm sure you spend a lot of time, you know, sitting down, you know, and driving as opposed to moving around, like, what do you do to stay active or stay fit in between you know, your rest periods and things like that?
00:04:03:24 - 00:04:35:02
Unknown
Oh, you mean I work? Yeah, I used to work in Doctor. So now maybe only the only maybe something where I do what for maybe 20 to 30 minutes. Then I will be okay. If you don't walk through marketing, don't run. So don't run or open. Nobody will run. They don't take from you. Stay healthy all the time.
00:04:35:04 - 00:04:53:18
Unknown
Okay. Okay. I mean you you talked a little bit about health being very important. Yeah. Another aspect of that people tell us that is very important is their relationship set right. So I'm sure as as, you know, as a driver, as a driver, you know, you also have a lot of friends. Yeah. Also drivers as well.
00:04:53:20 - 00:05:21:03
Unknown
How do you maintain relationships with these friends over the years? Friends? I actually I have a lot of friends for 14 years of actually biking. I have a friend. Yeah. Go about them. So my advice is that you can get along with a good one. It's not so good. One be away from them but don't worry then left in a coffee and dump truck be.
00:05:21:05 - 00:05:51:11
Unknown
No. No compensation is more important even in life in the family. Try to avoid confrontation. Then you lead the normal life and you'll be happy. Once you angry, you are not happy. But you know. Yeah, sure. Yeah. So in terms of, you said, you know, like keep the people that I mean, keep the friends that you enjoy hanging out with also, and stay away from those who they don't feel are very good for you.
00:05:51:11 - 00:06:15:02
Unknown
But what kind of character traits or values are important for you when you think about whether you want to be friends with somebody and what that. What do you mean by do you mean? Let me say no. Like what? What do you what kind of people what kind of character is that? Oh, those people that, that, don't want to.
00:06:15:04 - 00:06:50:11
Unknown
You. Yes. Love one person. You are. You know, the person take advantage of you, right? Right. But they don't hesitate more for whatever reason. Because it doesn't help you when you get angry. But in the end, you don't like the person. So definitely. Definitely. But just. Because then you will feel yourself happy and then forget it and don't think of it.
00:06:50:13 - 00:07:16:20
Unknown
So I mean we talked a bit about friendships but what about romantic relationships. What does, what, what does romantic love mean to you. But I, I didn't get my time with them. And we are young during our generation. But yeah. So what do we. And you met your what? My wife. Then we fall in love and get married.
00:07:16:22 - 00:07:27:06
Unknown
Then and perform. Then I.
00:07:27:08 - 00:07:56:19
Unknown
Hello again. I hope you enjoyed listening to that for clarity. Words of wisdom is a project by Charlotte Go, powered by folklorist and supported by our Singapore Fund. To find out more, please visit our website at Folklorico com. That's f okay. O r y decomp. Goodbye.