As I walked from my school attachment to the train just now, I was reminded of an early interaction I had with a Singaporean colleague at this school: the way the students at the school address their teachers. “It’s very endearing,” she said. I agree.

When students saw me at the cross walk with my umbrella today, they said, “Do you still like Singapore weather with all this rain, ‘cher?” They are addressing me as “teacher,” but in this part of the island, they only use the last syllable of “teacher” and with their accent it sounds like “Chuh” or “Cha” to me. 

“Yes,” I said. “I’ll take this rain over this much snow.”

“No, ‘cha. I want snow!”

“Bye, ‘cha! Have a nice day, ‘cha,” as I walk through the mall to get to the train stop.

My colleague “forewarned” me that I’d hear this. I agree with her that it’s cute. I liked it at the other school when they called me the proper “Teacher” in the halls. They don’t have to know my name, but they knew that I was a teacher and that was enough for them. 

Somehow, “‘chuh” or “cha” or “‘cher” is so much better than “teach,” amiright? I’ll take “Good morning, ‘cha” over “Yo, Teach!” but maybe that’s because I’m getting used to things here. Singapore has certainly left its mark on me.