This is Singapore - the birthplace of kiasuism! Of course, it is entirely possible that someone put a kiasu spin on a game of fun. It's appropriate too, don't you think, since stiXzzle is a uniquely Singapore invention. But, we digress. Let's take a look at the possible ways folks may play with stiXzzle puzzles.
The fun way: Ponder the clue. For further inspiration, check out the additional hint. Figure out the answer? Yay! Find the sticker with the answer. Peel the backing off. Paste the sticker into the puzzle grid. The find-peel-paste actions being executed in joyous quick succession. In gleeful anticipation of the next find-peel-paste, repeat for the next clue until the puzzle is completely solved.
The kiasu way: Ponder the clue. For further inspiration, check out the additional hint. Figure out the answer? Yay! Find the sticker with the answer. P̶e̶e̶l̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶a̶c̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶ (Remember! Mummy - or another supervising adult - said not to peel the backing off.) Position the sticker within the puzzle grid. Repeat for the next clue. When all the stickers have been positioned correctly, peel and paste, peel and paste ….. merrily away.
The kiam siap way: Ponder the clue. For further inspiration, check out the additional hint. Figure out the answer? Yay! Find the sticker with the answer. P̶e̶e̶l̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶a̶c̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶ (Remember! Mummy - or another supervising adult - said not to peel the backing off.) Position the sticker within the puzzle grid. Repeat for the next clue. When all the stickers have been positioned correctly, p̶e̶e̶l̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶p̶a̶s̶t̶e̶,̶ ̶p̶e̶e̶l̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶p̶a̶s̶t̶e̶…̶.̶.̶ ̶m̶e̶r̶r̶i̶l̶y̶ ̶a̶w̶a̶y̶ ̶ stow everything away. Some time later, bring everything out and repeat the whole cycle. Keep repeating until the kiam siap adult feels that value for money has been attained, then peel and paste, peel and paste…… merrily away.
The alamak way: Ponder the clue. For further inspiration, check out the additional hint. Figure out the answer? Yay! F̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶t̶i̶c̶k̶e̶r̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶s̶w̶e̶r̶.̶ ̶P̶e̶e̶l̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶a̶c̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶.̶ ̶P̶a̶s̶t̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶t̶i̶c̶k̶e̶r̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶g̶r̶i̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶u̶z̶z̶l̶e̶.̶ ̶Write the answer into the puzzle grid. Sticker? Huh….what sticker? Practise your writing!
Needless to say, the fun way is the endorsed way. The kiasu way is acceptable for the cautious player who may be otherwise petrified by the fear that a sticker is stuck at the wrong grid. The kiam siap way is the route to missing the forest for the trees. The alamak way … aiyah, supervising adult, why you so like that?
For the uninitiated,
"kiasu" is a Hokkien dialect term used to describe "fear of losing out"
"kiam siap" is a Hokkien term used to describe someone as stingy
"alamak" is a Malay term used to express shock, dismay, concern/worry, or disapproval