What are the numbers?

What are the numbers?

Singapore is a very small country with a lot of vehicles traveling on the roads every day. Accidents are bound to happen.

When two vehicles are involved in a road accident in any direction, ironically both sides of the road suffer from massive traffic jam.

This side of the road with road accident understandably has lesser lanes for the vehicles to pass through. You will expect massive jam on this side of the road. Why is there traffic congestion on the other side of the road?

Whenever accident happens, the first question that bystanders ask is “Anyone dies?”

The second question is “What are the numbers?” They mean the plate numbers of both vehicles involved in the accident. They will take down the plate numbers, either on paper or on their mobile phones. They will crane their necks this way and that way just to collect all the plate numbers. Driving off only when they check, and double check the accuracy of the numbers.

They will take heed of some other related numbers in connection with the accident. For example, the plate numbers of the police vehicle, the plate number of the ambulance, the number of injured, the date of the accident, the time of the accident etc.

They will buy lottery based on the numbers collected.

The same phenomenon occurs whenever there is a high profile murder case featured in the national newspaper.

The creativity juice of Singaporeans is very active in making up the combinations of 4D. For example, a 56 years old man kills a 28 years old woman. The creativity juice of Singaporeans will come up with 5628 or 2856. They search for the year of death, year of birth, day of death, apartment numbers and whatever useful numbers in the newspaper to come up with 4D combinations.

The office pantry becomes the hot spot to discuss 4D strategies. You will hear the question “What are the numbers?” in the bus stop, in the train, in the office, in the coffee shop, in the supermarket and all places that Singaporeans gather.

Many people will pride themselves on concocting numbers that have not occurred to anyone else. If the numbers turn out to be the winning numbers, they will have a great time boasting.

Singaporeans' love for 4D extends to every aspect of life. Have you gotten a new car? Before you start talking about the car, please answer the question “What are the numbers?”

Have you gotten a new job? Please answer the questions “what are the numbers?” You should provide the salary detail and join date. Those are the possible winning numbers in the coming draw.

Have you slipped on the wet floor? Have you been to the doctor? What are the numbers? Please provide the receipt number, the total amount, the date and time that you fell.

So folks, what are the numbers?