I think the 120K person is speaking tongue in cheek and commenting on the fact that 120 K is not adequate to support the lifestyle and "image" of the Singaporean. This I agree with. Cars, Clothes and Fine Dining are not for the ordinary income.So the grocery commentary is only expounding the ridiculousness of keeping up with the local image. This life is difficult, I struggled throughout my life caring for my family and my parents who could never make it. Whatever I earned I told my family it belonged to all of us, so that my mum would never feel like I was giving her charity. I do not own a car, I make do with what I have. I never desired to show others I am better than them, my desire has always been to try and make as many people as I could feel a sense of dignity, regardless of their economic status. I understand the concept of "face" in this society, but really struggle to understand how intelligent people can succumb to this pressure. Having said that I must apologise to the multitude of kind people who go unnoticed through their daily endeavours to improve the lives of others. I pray that one day this sense of justice, equality and fairness will override the ridiculous need to show one's wealth.