On my way home in a taxi, the driver popped a question at me.
“Are you from Singapore?”
And I answered with a resounding yes. That is the countless time that someone has asked questions of the similar nature about my origin. I will take the opportunity to clarify these doubts.
As to my knowledge, my parents and grandparents are Singaporeans, therefore I am pretty clear about my background. Even higher up my family tree, I am afraid I am just as clueless as you.
Now I ask you readers and friends who personally know me; In what way do I not look Chinese and Singaporean?
With small eyes and a fairly dark skin, I find myself looking very Chinese and Singaporean.
The way I speak is very common amongst Singaporeans too. I don’t have a slang in my pronunciation of words and Singlish is quite frequently incorporated into my daily casual conversations. Of course I have to limit the use of it at times which requires others to fully understand me such as during working hours and conversations with foreigners.
Oh did I mention that I tend to occasionally mix English and Chinese in my sentences. There are just some things which I can phrase better in English and vice versa.
With regards to my origin, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand are just some of the countries associated. I take pride in the fact that I am a Singaporean and was born in Singapore. That is my identity even if my appearance to others might say otherwise.
22 year old fitness enthusiast currently pursuing a Bachelor in Computer Science at the University of Adelaide and aspiring to become a Web Developer in the near future. 
I get asked that question too. They ask me if I’m Filipino though most of the time, they ask me if I’m Chinese. I don’t think I look Chinese but it never stops people from speaking to me in Mandarin. It isn’t until I reply in Malay that they realise their mistake.
I often get questions like that when I was young too. I have a dark complexion compared to my friends and was often mistaken for a non-chinese/singaporean.
i’d say you look a little vietnamese. dunno why but you remind me of those vietnamese soldiers rofl. must be your dark skin
From your tiny msn display pic, I thought you looked pretty ABC. That’s after I’ve ascertained that you’re not the girl.
I guess some Singaporeans look mixed. Hey, our origin is all over the place rite? Most people thought that I am a Chinese though…and I would get those stares…