Singapore

Singapore - My Hometown

3/2/2021

I would like to take this opportunity in writing about my hometown, Singapore in my travel blog now in 2021 since we all cannot travel to anywhere. So why not write about my country. But my motivation to write this is not to tell you where to eat or where to go in Singapore. I am gonna debunk some assumptions that you might have read about our country before you come here for your vacation. I am writing these is because the assumptions do definitely bother me if not I will not care, and also I feel like as a local it is good to share facts. Like if for instance if I travel to your country, I would want you as a local to tell me the actual happenings of your lifestyle, where is the nicest place to eat (not just because it is a tourist spot) and many others. And furthermore, I feel like it is nicer to share information to anyone in the world to learn about each others' lifestyle and culture.

Also as a traveler, I feel like it is good for to know about the country we are travelling to. Because most of the time, our assumptions about the country comes from the articles we read, videos we watched, comments in social media etc. This is understandable because those information are the most convenient. As humans, we absorb information whatever that is convenient to find. I do that too most of the time. However, on the other hand, when I finally visited the place myself most assumptions are like the opposite of what I see and assume or what people say. Like for instance, when I visited Russia, I love that place and feel safe when I was there. The people in Moscow, Yakutsk and Oymyakon were so amazing, friendly, warmth, and helpful. It is the opposite of what I imagined because of what I read in the news. And when I visited Paris, I was told by some of my friends that the people there are not helpful and will be harsh when asked for directions. However, when I was there by myself and was lost, I went in to ask the staff in a small supermarket and he helped me even though he was speaking French. Same goes to the 2 ladies in an office when I was looking for a shop which is actually right in front of me. They were looking forward to help me instead.

And another reason I would like to debunk some assumptions about my country is because, 2 years ago, a friend from Canada visited Singapore for a 2 months internship. And her assumptions really surprised me. But the sentences she used to comment about my country were so familiarly bias like I have heard it before somewhere.

Such as "Oh I thought Singaporeans do not have driving license." (When, at that time we were at a traffic light, and Lavender street was jammed with cars and vehicles); and "I thought that you guys don't have many friends" (I was like hmmm, where did you get these information?); and "Oh I thought you guys are not that educated" (My reply was "I really think that you have to interact with more locals to get more information than relying on wherever you get that information"); and "I have never seen any good-looking people when I was in Singapore" (I was like pffftt what? How about your colleagues when you are doing your internship? When you walk around in Orchard, did you observe people? I have so many beautiful girlfriends and good-looking guys around. Seems like you have to look around next time you are here); and "Singaporean drivers are selfish and don't know how to drive properly" (My ex-colleagues and ex-boss used to say this when they were with me, and one day I replied, "Can you imagine this happens in a country with rules. Imagine how drivers are in those countries with no rules?" -- Yeah, sometimes when patience is at a limit, you have to be smart in your reply instead of ignoring or keeping quiet. Since then, they have no balls to tell me the same thing over and over again because I will use the comparison card.)

Debunking Assumptions about Singapore:

1. Zero Crime - Zero is crazily impossible for a country but we do have a low crime rate.

Which means that you still have to be careful when you walk around. Like the way you hold your mobile phone while walking, doesn't matter if the place is crowded or not, you still have to be careful. When you place your bag beside you, just make sure you hooked it on your hand because you will not be able to notice if there is someone hidden behind that pillar waiting for you to be careless.
You can go home late at night like 3am and still it is safe but if you do not know the area, it is better to check it out first. Because I have heard from a friend who went home late one day, around 4am in Raffles/Orchard area and were followed by 2 guys in a car.
I met a traveler from South Africa when I visited Bettles, Alaska. Her family used to stay in Singapore for 2 years. Her mum told me that when in Singapore, she need not worry when they are home late in comparison to her hometown Johannesburg. They have to be back by 8pm for safety reason.

2. "Singaporean drivers are selfish or don't know how to drive." An ex-colleague vent this before to me, and I asked him "How do you know that guy is a Singaporean?" He replied, "Can see the person, what from the driver's seat." And I asked, "How can you know his citizenship is a Singaporean? Doesn't matterlah what race because you said to me Singaporean, right?.

This is a generalizing sentence. The definition of Singaporeans are they are Singapore citizens. Which means they could be originally from Singapore since birth like how I am, or they used to be on Employment Pass or Permanent Residence pass in Singapore and converted to Singaporean.
Drivers in Singapore are those with Singapore driving license. They are either originally trained practical and theory in Singapore (Private or Singapore Driving Schools), or they migrated here and had their practical training in their own home country. And they have to go through theory exam in Singapore but not practical exam here.
Which means the roads in Singapore are shared amongst Singapore trained drivers and also those trained in other countries like Malaysia, Philippines, India, Australia, USA etc.
I am not going to continue writing here, because at this point I would like you as a reader to think.

3. "The private properties including Condominiums are actually bought by foreigners. Because Singaporeans could not afford it." For your info, 2 people who are non-Singaporeans told me this. Sometimes I wonder how they obtain information or statistics to have the balls to say that out loud to a Singaporean. And in addition, saying it like this is considered rude. It is like saying people are poor and you are superior.

Based on my personal observations, there are an increasing number of condominiums and private apartments development since the past 8 to 10 years. As a Singaporean, I don't mind at all. Our country is developing and even though sometimes me and my friends will try to calculate how much those people earned monthly to be able to afford staying in a 2 million dollars 3 room condo unit plus travel every year twice and owning luxury cars.
I have no idea how these 2 people find the statistics but I assumed because their social circle are their own friends so probably their conclusions is based on that. But also, take note, Singaporean can buy a condo unit but might not stay there. They will rent it out to foreigners who are here to work. So, whatever you see does not mean that deed of the house belongs to your group of friends.
If you are travelling to Singapore, just so you know there are Singapore citizens who do stay in condos. I have friends who owns and stays in condos or private properties. They are the 1980s kids. There are also people especially the older generation who could buy 1 HDB apartment (the govt build ones), and can afford to own 2 to 10 condominiums and private properties to be rent out.

4. "Those people who stays in HDB apartments are actually poor and they couldn't afford to buy private properties." Take note that all these sentences are exactly what people tell me directly not through a third-person.

This sentence is again a generalization. Do you know that a 4 room HDB apartment is Singapore could cost you around Singapore Dollars 400,000 (USD 300,850)? The lowest price you can buy is a 1 room HDB Build-to-Order at about SG$100,000. Tell me how much you have to earn per month at least to own that small one-room apartment?
And also remember the point I mentioned earlier? A person can buy a HDB flat and must stay there, but also he could own 2 to 10 private properties. Yes.
Blue-collar,white-collar,working class blah blah blah. I don't really focus on these categories because one thing for sure the class or caste are not practiced in Singapore. I feel like nowadays, Singaporeans don't divide people based on classes like this in comparison to when I was a kid.

5. "Singaporeans are not friendly and they don't know their neighbors." Before I continue, just so you know, I am always in social media like twitter, tumblr and tiktok. Which means I am connected to the people around the world and when you are talking about this for a reason to criticize Singaporeans, I would like to say that this is a common characteristics anywhere around the world.

I am unable to answer for each and every Singaporeans on why they are or are not friendly. Personally, for me I am alright talking to strangers or people whom I just met. Only if they are too hot and gorgeous, I will buffer for a few seconds before replying to them.
The question is why they are not probably friendly in a snap. It is because this could be how we are being taught since we are in school. That is not to talk to strangers. So, it is kind of a cautious behavior. Which for me is fine if someone is being cautious. Anyway, sometimes when I do smile at people I don't know or bid them good morning, have a good day, most of the time they will reply back doesn't matter whether they are men or women. Because sometimes as a woman we could be cautious when we speak to men because we are worried. I would rely on my instinct and observation normally before I proceed being friendly.
As for neighbors. Hmmm.. this is also subjective. Most of us will close our doors. I used to open my main door but now we don't. Because of privacy and to have ample time to prepare if there is any surprise guest.
I do say hi and waved or asked about their day whenever I meet my neighbors. I have been staying at the same place for the past 38 years so basically I know most of my neighbors. As for the new ones, if ever I see them, I will just say hi. And most of the time they replied too.
There are many stories around Singapore where neighbors will exchange food during festive seasons etc. As for me, we don't. Because there was one time years ago when we just moved, my mum gave our neighbor's sons some chocolates but their mum returned it back. So, we never do it anymore.
It all depends. But to say it in general we are not friendly and we don't know our neighbors, then it is not true. If you are comparing to another country or environment like people who stay in kampung in Malaysia or village in Japan, probably yes because of the settings and structure of the houses and also a respect that when you move to the neighborhood, it is nice to introduce yourself to the head of the village and the neighbors.

6. "Singaporeans do not know how to speak English".

English is our first language. We are a multi-racial country with races such as Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian and many others. Whatever our races are, the language of our race is the second language.
All of the generations (Born in 1970s to 2020s) can speak and understand English. As for the older generations like our parents and grandparents, it depends. They might not know English because they might not be educated during their time. But most of them at least could understand if you speak simple English. For instance, my dad, born in 1960s understands and can speak fluent English, also able to read English. He was educated and has a bachelor degree. While my mum on the other hand, can speak and understand simple English because she went to school until Primary 3 or 4.
I am considered the 3rd generation in Singapore born in 1980s with a Masters.
Our education system, books and courses are all in English. We can speak and write English fluently.
Also, we need to know English because that is our communication language between our friends and in corporate. Especially when you are working, you have to have at least basic English to communicate with your customers.

7. "Singaporeans do not like foreigners to work in Singapore. They think that the foreigners are stealing their jobs." This is like a common phrase I hear often from most people. Initially, my innocence thought was that it seems like we have a problem, but then I realized that this kind of problem is a global issue.

Firstly, I feel like it is common and natural for humans to feel insecure when their work opportunities are threatened by the available alternatives. It is alright to feel that way as long as it does not become a frustration towards individuals that could cause violence or hatred.
Secondly, this sentence of do not like foreigners to work in Singapore is again another generalization. Personally for me, I welcome anyone to my country. It is the same as I am expecting that if ever I go to Canada to work or study one day, I hope that I will be welcomed there.
Thirdly, some jobs are not meant for us anymore. We have gone through a phase in a cycle that jobs like labor in construction are not done by locals. Yeah maybe you will say how come some countries can but we cannot. I believe we can if the income is as high as how some countries could afford to pay their own citizen to work in the field. So, because of that, we don't mind if foreigners are "stealing" that field.
One of my ex-colleagues who was a technician, from one of the Asian countries did try to vent his frustrations at me (I can't blame him because during that period about 3 years ago, the media has been bombarding this issue). He said something like "Why Singaporeans are angry that we take your jobs?"

Then, I replied. "Would you feel frustrated if your country employ foreigners to take over your jobs and leaving you and the others unemployed? Actually, you can take any jobs you want especially like the position you are in because our generations has no interest in those (because it is considered labor and with low salary). But the ones which is higher positions that requires university degrees, there are lots of qualified graduates here which should be prioritized and because of that they are not happy with the issue."
Lastly, let us not discuss about quality or productivity here because each and everyone of us has our own personal views and experiences regarding this. As a Singaporean, I would like to respect people regardless of nationality as I am writing these for travel related purposes but also on the other hand, I am expecting people are also sensitive before making remarks regarding the country they are staying and working in for a living so we can all live peacefully.

8. (I will add in more whenever I remember anymore of the conversations I had with people.)

Statistics by Singapore Ministry of Manpower, Jun 2020 (3.25m Singapore Citizens; 1.64m Non-Residents; 0.52m Permanent Residence)