Le Chinois

"Transactional" can be a word to describe the Singaporean mentality.

Not totally related: Since coming back to Singapore a month ago, I feel I have adjusted my outward behavior somewhat in tune with the people here. The pre-occupation of conversation with financial rat races, the rather conservative, non-confrontational social mindset.

I think to some extent one can modify his external persona without really changing his inner personality. To some extent, though at some point the persona begins to overtake the personality.