Why Ah?
Just as I was boarding the A380, my friend and former colleague texted then called me.
HJ: Oi... Remember you told me on Sunday that you think Singapore is better?
BM: Yah?
HJ: Was in review with bosses today. They were saying people who have left Singapore for work or studies prefer elsewhere. I said,"No. I know people who have worked or studied abroad and still prefer Singapore." So hor... I need to get a quote from you.
BM: *gathering the super heavy hand carry and the backpack which I couldn't check in because I've exceeded the baggage limit* Ok... I'm boarding now... Will write to you after I get to Cambridge.
In 7 months, Singapore has definitely changed. How does one begin to explain the changes?
In terms of form, I was shocked by 3 recent developments.
Do I like Singapore because it is familiar?
Or because Singapore indeed makes more sense in more ways than some?
I think it is difficult to disallow that fuzzy feeling of familiarity to cloud one's judgement. But there are a few solid points which, regardless of familiarity, score highly on any sane person's marksheet.
(A) Potable 'soft' water with fluoride
I don't mean to sound like a boring Baby Boomer or something, but the flowing potable water with fluoride is not a basic provision around the world. Back in Singapore, I could drink from the tap (and not worry about limescale building up in my kettle or intestines) and never had any problems with eczema.
I think we got the fundamentals very right and have been building upon them conscientiously. I hope the new(er) leaders understand this and continue to lead for the correct reasons.
(B) Expeditious no-nonsense reliable service
From the supermarket check-out to the polyclinic to the vet to the bank to the online tax-filing... We may not get responses such as a smile or 'We are so sorry to hear that', but we certainly get service with substance. I know such real service comes at a price which is most often paid by the frontline staff, i.e. discipline, achieved by fear and highly rationalised division of labour, which inevitably leads to alienation of the individual.
I felt that service staff has become more polite as compared to before. My friend who has been here also makes the same observation. He says it's possible due to the economic downturn.
(C) Religious tolerance
Our tolerance is institutionalised. A couple of classmates have expressed their disbelief. It's unheard of in their world. Enuff said.
(D) Compactness
I'm a little ambivalent about this point. Regardless it is significant enough for me to highlight it. On one hand, being compact reduces time spent on traveling between activities. Being compact means more are within one's reach. We are not only compact in terms of physical distance, we are also compact in terms of social structure. Social mobility is relatively more fluid.
On the other, we look into one another's apartment just a few metres away. On Day 3, I could feel the impatience on the roads. People are always in a rush. Perhaps it's because there are too many things to do/enjoy/run away from in Singapore.
This is a good question to think about:
There may not be an answer... Or any answers.
Posted on 4/16/2009 01:25:00 PM by BLINKYMUMMY and filed under | 9 Comments »
HJ: Oi... Remember you told me on Sunday that you think Singapore is better?
BM: Yah?
HJ: Was in review with bosses today. They were saying people who have left Singapore for work or studies prefer elsewhere. I said,"No. I know people who have worked or studied abroad and still prefer Singapore." So hor... I need to get a quote from you.
*Boarding call for all passengers*
BM: *gathering the super heavy hand carry and the backpack which I couldn't check in because I've exceeded the baggage limit* Ok... I'm boarding now... Will write to you after I get to Cambridge.
In 7 months, Singapore has definitely changed. How does one begin to explain the changes?
In terms of form, I was shocked by 3 recent developments.
- The Marina IR looks smaller than I'd expected it to be.
- That single-lane flyover thing along Cross Street - I was in so much shock that I wanted to stop the car and scream at it. It felt like Bangkok. I was later told that it's temporary. I certainly hope so!
- The crazy Christmas-like building opposite Bugis Junction, called Iluma. I'd expected something more timeless, and not something so freakish. When will they be taking down the Christmas lights?
Do I like Singapore because it is familiar?
Or because Singapore indeed makes more sense in more ways than some?
I think it is difficult to disallow that fuzzy feeling of familiarity to cloud one's judgement. But there are a few solid points which, regardless of familiarity, score highly on any sane person's marksheet.
(A) Potable 'soft' water with fluoride
I don't mean to sound like a boring Baby Boomer or something, but the flowing potable water with fluoride is not a basic provision around the world. Back in Singapore, I could drink from the tap (and not worry about limescale building up in my kettle or intestines) and never had any problems with eczema.
I think we got the fundamentals very right and have been building upon them conscientiously. I hope the new(er) leaders understand this and continue to lead for the correct reasons.
(B) Expeditious no-nonsense reliable service
From the supermarket check-out to the polyclinic to the vet to the bank to the online tax-filing... We may not get responses such as a smile or 'We are so sorry to hear that', but we certainly get service with substance. I know such real service comes at a price which is most often paid by the frontline staff, i.e. discipline, achieved by fear and highly rationalised division of labour, which inevitably leads to alienation of the individual.
I felt that service staff has become more polite as compared to before. My friend who has been here also makes the same observation. He says it's possible due to the economic downturn.
(C) Religious tolerance
Our tolerance is institutionalised. A couple of classmates have expressed their disbelief. It's unheard of in their world. Enuff said.
(D) Compactness
I'm a little ambivalent about this point. Regardless it is significant enough for me to highlight it. On one hand, being compact reduces time spent on traveling between activities. Being compact means more are within one's reach. We are not only compact in terms of physical distance, we are also compact in terms of social structure. Social mobility is relatively more fluid.
On the other, we look into one another's apartment just a few metres away. On Day 3, I could feel the impatience on the roads. People are always in a rush. Perhaps it's because there are too many things to do/enjoy/run away from in Singapore.
This is a good question to think about:
What does it mean to like something/someone?
- Is it because of the good times you have had earlier?
- Or the potentially good times you will have in the foreseeable future?
- Or because someone else told you this is good and so you believe?
- Or simply, that sense of familiarity which cannot be replicated elsewhere and so makes it unique and 'own-able'?
- Or because you have no choice because this is the only one which you can get?
There may not be an answer... Or any answers.
9 comments:
Very nice eyes! On Tiger that is.
On Singapore, I don't know. This place is killing many of my contemporaries.
Mostly, they feel trapped and unhappy. Work isn't satisfying, pace too fast, commitments too many.
People are limited in their choice. Just like the govt. Unlike a big country, where one can dictate the terms to live, instead of just the one big expensive concrete jungle.
Or another question would be, do you only like Singapore more than Cambridge? 'Elsewhere' is not just one homogeneous whole.
i don't think there's anything to explain about 'liking' just like there's no explaining 'taste' sometimes.
As for me, i like Singapore, but i also like 'elsewhere', and if i didn't have 'elsewhere', i would find it so much harder to like Singapore.
Paper man-- I am feeling the strain too.
Will there be any reason to like someone in the first place? Like what many other people say, if you can find a specific reason to like someone, there's not like or maybe even love in the first place.
In any case, just to let you know I've always liked your attitude towards life..a thinker and someone who comes across as very kind and bubbly... =)
I'm a S'porean born and raised, been studying in Oz for the past 3 years. Am returning to SG next Tuesday! I love BM's blog topic, it's very timely. My decision will come under scrutinity and criticism by some people for sure, but I don't exactly feel the need to explain myself. My thoughts run parallel with BM on living in Singapore. I'm a regular reader of a lot of socio-political blogs that are anti-gahmen and also critical of life in SG, despite all that, I've still made my decision to come back. I'm was one of those angsty teenagers who hated life there for a number of years, until I moved overseas to live in recent years. Melbourne may be a favourite destination for Singaporeans who migrate, and I myself am entitled to a temporary residence which may lead to a PR and then citizenship, but I just do not have chemistry with Australia. I just don't. Which is why I'm hastily typing this comment without even vetting it, because I'm busy packing to go home. So many people always dig up faults with SG to whine about, I was one of them for a while, but 真金不怕火炼，I realise that it's not what the place holds for you, it's what you bring to it. That aside, I also know that I have relevant skills and know-how to make life in SG as dynamic as I make it - I'm not helpless there lah. That plays a part too. Ok I have to go back to my packing now. I would want to share my thoughts on this, despite it being in stream of consciousness form, so do pardon my lack of organisation here. Cheers.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
The Singaporeans are trying to get out and the expats are liking this place so much that they don't mind taking up PR or finding another job here after the contract that brought them to Singapore ends.
Comparison can lead to incessant complaints but it can also allow one to appreciate what he has, and that depends largely on which side of the pasture you are standing on.
Grass always look greener on the other side. When you crossed over, then you realised that it so green coz it is some god damn SYNTHETIC LAWN!! Hahaha...
I've met New Yorkers, Chicagoans, Perthians, Tokyolites and people from other major cities.
And I have always gotten a few "Yeah marn, no place better" when I asked about their home city. Or a "I loved college" reminiscing their school days.
I've yet to meet a Singaporean who thinks the same of this red dot or any of its WC institutes. In fact, many friends shared the common sentiment "graduation couldn't have come soon enough".
Here's a challenge. Leave a comment if you think otherwise.
perhaps with knowledge+experience hence the comparisons+questions?
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