Difficulty in adjusting to singapore life- any advice??

N

nottinghill

New Member
I came to Singapore towards the end of year 2007, and now is the begiining of year 2009. More than a year here yet i find it just so difficult to cope ..

I was staying in overseas for quite some time, studying, then working, until my husband decided to give Singapore a try, as he said.. singapore offer a better career prospect, for him.

maybe there is something wrong with me??everyday i find it stressful to take the mrt. it is crowded everyhwere i go. at times i feel so lost being in this country.. i find it hard to enjoy myself. there are tonnes of shopping malls around, but besides shopping what else can i do??

sometimes i cry to sleep everynite thinking back of all the good memories i hv when i was abroad. i miss my life there soooooo much, that there is no word to describe it. i dont feel i belong here..at times. of coz i hv met n make new friends here, but still, it is not enough...

Anyone can advise me what should or can i do in singapore? i couldnt stand taking mrt (it is very crowded n make me suffocated and giddy)nor the public buses, til i get my own car. i walk so much til my feet bruised and blistered that i no longer wearing heels

although i am a chinese, but before that i hv nvr been here. i almost had a culture shock and it is quite lasting..til now...

anyone with good advice, on how to cope or hv similar experience?
 


maybe you can talk to your hubby about this and explain how you feel to be in Singapore?

or.. do you have any friends in Singapore? you can try hanging out with your friends more often.. it's relaxing. at least for me. i'm not a Singaporean either, but i've been staying here for as long as i can remember. since school days, until now, because i have a Singaporean as a husband. well, i used to feel like you at first, but i guess i'd gotten used to it now.

what i do is.. hang out with friends, movies, dinner, or just sitting by the Singapore river, chatting with my friends & hubby is enough. lol! i guess i'm a boring person, but honestly, yeah, i agree with you, there's nothing much you can do in Singapore. so, try talking to your hubby about it. get it off your chest. =)

hope it helps =)
 
perhaps you have built yourself an invisible wall that prevents you from immersing to a life here .. comparing it to your life abroad will only make it worse.

umm .. can you share which country does not require you to travel by subway or buses? even in the big cities, you still need public transport like these to get around. if you don't like the crowds, perhaps you can bike?
 
Other than shopping, you can make full use of your time to pursue other interests/hobbies that are aplenty, if you want...

for transport, yup..pls grab a cab wherever you go.. the crowd is not responsible for your well-being, nor the distance between shopping centres and MRT stations/bus stops.... this arrangement will grant a huge favour to the travelling motorists as well.. thank you very much.

not trying to be mean here, but rather, direct.
Your 'stress' is the self-inflicted kind....
 
actually i kinda agree with cuclainne.. first thing you've got to do.. stop comparing the live you have now with the previous one.. it's not going to help at all..

hope all is well for you ya.. =)
 
where did u come from?

chances are once u are too used to that kind of laidback lifestyle, u will not be used to the hectic pace of life here.

why not have a heart-to-heart talk with ur husband? let him know that u still cannot adjust to life here and discuss whether going back to where u came from is an option for both of u
 
Crying does nothing actually. If it makes you feel better, good. By all means continue. But, if it makes you feel more miserable, then stop dwelling in misery.

There are lots of things you can do within Sgp and to neighbouring places. Pick up some hobbies, widen your social cycle in sgp and online. Learn to cook and explore new receipts, share them with neighbours and new friends.

Frankly, I hate peak hour crowd too. Who doesn't? If you are not working, then u are not bounded by the normal hours of working people. Have you thought of doing social work, visiting folks in home and talking to them? There are a whole lot of meaningful stuffs you can do.

If you need a break, rent a car if you don't have one and drive down to Malaysia or just go on a tour or cruise or something of that sort to wind down. Lots of beautiful places of interests in neighouring countries.

I'm the opposite of your lifestyle. 3 months stay in Europe was a nightmare especially the weekend. Literally bored to death. Everything was closed in the weekend. My only 'entertainment' then with my colleagues was the PS2 and 'sight-seeing' trips to the beaches where we have some swimming, sun tanning and 'nice view'.
 
yeah.. me too.. used to stay in Sydney for a while.. it bored me to death too.. the shops & malls there practically close before dinner time.. it's soooo boring.. lol. i love Singapore way too much already la! :D
 
i prefer HK to sgp. Shops literally never closes and MTR operate longer hours and better frequency and speed. Getting the 3 day tourist pass, can really shop and eat till drop!
 
yaaaaaa!! i love HK too! but nvr really got the chance to stay there. went there for few days holiday only.. but yeah, compare Sg to sydney.. or Europe in ur case, Milo.. Sg is much better!! lol.
 
having lived in several countries, i know it takes time to adjust to a new environment. but you won't give singapore a fair go until you have embraced your new reality wholeheartedly. and you do that by first letting go of the life you had.

i also know that no job or career prospect is worth an unhappy wife. crying to sleep every night is bordering on psychotic. if i were your husband, i'd seriously consider a move back to where you came from.
 
Thanks everyone for yr kind advice. I was staying in scotland b4 i came here. life was easy, laidback, friendly environment, albeit the gloomy weather which i rather love (snuggling n fuzzing under yr warm comforter) than the sunny sweaty climate, well called me weird.

while many ppl would enjoy the long opening time of the malls or restaurants, it actually dont bother me at all as i think it is fair for everyone to go home early to their family and hv a decent family life.

it may be boring, but i find it lovely..if it is the word to describe..i'd time to jog my dogs, to drive at the coastal, to go fishing in the cold winter nor blooming of beautiful flowers during spring.... all these had nvr bored me all these yrs...

i hv no offend towards singapore, but at time, when i see so many elderly working in the food courts or cleaning the MRTs eevryhwere i go, i dont really feel good at all. i feel deep heartache... i went to bugis and chinatown i see old n sickly old men carrying passengers on trishaw, n i feel sad...i dont know how should i put it, i am no saint,yet..or just im not used ot all these sights ..

tomasulu may be right..i should let go of the life i used to be, in order to enjoy my life in singapore..

vios, this is not self-inflicted misery as u said. eevryone has their own financial planning.. the reason im not taking cab everyday to n fro work is because i find it very expensive, n im saving enough to buy a car as we hv just exhausted most of our savings on a condo..

just wanna ask around if anyone with same experience,but everyone's advice above is very comforting definitely..

i wont be leaving SG in shorterm as my hubby has just gotten into the 'career advancement' that he wants.. it is all about gv n take..as he promise to travel eevry yr to england wit me ..
 
It took me a couple of years to adjust to life in Singapore too. All I can say from experience is that we have to stop comparing our previous life and start making friends with the local.

Every place has its pros and cons. Singapore might lose out on all the peace and outdoor activities you so enjoyed, but it does have its good points too. It takes time to know a new place.

I have a suggestion. Instead of looking at your current predicament as "being stuck in Singapore" for a while (due to your husband's career choices), why don't you think of it as a short-term adventure. Think of it as an extended break, extended holiday. Go around as a tourist would, find out all the queer and unique things about Singapore, think of it as an adventure that you would share with your friends someday. When something is viewed as "temporary" it becomes easier to accept.

Try to join some activities and make some friends.
You are always welcome to post here when you have questions about the local life.

Good Luck and take one step at a time.
 
canary,

the sights u mention are not unique to Singapore. As soon as the shops closes, I see the streets covered with carten boxes as beds for many in Canada and France struggling in the cold.

u can trust me that a far majority of singapore love colder weather. I find my european counter parts more unbearable towards the cold than us and they simply like the hot sun, sipping hot coffee in the open.

Everyone have different preferences and you preferring a different culture is completely understandable and normal. But, u need to be realistic and look at things as they are. Since u r not going leave SG in the short term, its a no brainer that one should try to look at the positives and not dwell in the negative and feel bad and miserable. This is my advise really. You feel for the folks, spend meaningful time to make a diff for them, it beats walking dogs sometimes.

I made it through my 3 months without my family and spouse in Europe not dinning on restaurants but cooking home made food, shopping for budget near expiring meats in supermarkets and worked out in the service apartment using water bottles as improvised weights. Visiting romantic sites and scenes only made me miss my wife more. Be creative and find new ways you can enjoy and spend time. It really need not be the same activities as where u were from in order to be enjoyable for you.
 
Hiya Canary Wharf!

Good to see your post. I am a Singaporean but I have lived in England for a few years. I've also spent a good amount of time in Scotland so I understand how you feel about the gloomy weather and snuggling under warm duvets! I used to go walking around Fort William very often
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To be honest, I have always felt that because Singapore is rather small and doesn't have any seasonal weather, life can and does get monotonous. This is especially if I allow myself to settle into a work, home, sleep routine.

Even being Singaporean, I am finding it difficult to adjust as I have never been a big fan of shopping and eating. Like you, I am back here in Singapore out of necessity. In fact, my daily breakfast routine still consists of traditional oat porridge and earl grey tea. Ha.

I think wiggly toes has made a really good suggestion.

"Instead of looking at your current predicament as "being stuck in Singapore" for a while (due to your husband's career choices), why don't you think of it as a short-term adventure. Think of it as an extended break, extended holiday. Go around as a tourist would, find out all the queer and unique things about Singapore, think of it as an adventure that you would share with your friends someday. When something is viewed as "temporary" it becomes easier to accept."

Some things I have done to help me cope with the culture shock which I hope can help you also:-

1. As other forummers have suggested, go and discover the lesser known parts of Singapore.

2. Plan small trips out of Singapore to various
countries in South East Asia. Take this period as a "working holiday" to discover Asia.

3. Take up a new hobby to have something to look forward to outside of home, work, sleep. That way, we find like minded friends.

4. Remind yourself of the benefits of living in tropical Singapore. At least you don't need to spend 5 minutes before going out each time putting on layers upon layers to protect against the cold.

Also, it's relatively safe plus the taxes are low. Who really wants to pay almost 40% in taxes and national insurance?

5. Try and make more friends here then you have more people to hang out with. Special interest groups, online forums like this one are a good starting ground.

6. Get a cheap phone card to call back home regularly if you are homesick(if your family is in Scotland). For something like SGD8.50, you get 800 minutes, landline to landline. PM me if you want more details.

I'm still coping and trying to adapt but I feel doing the above has helped me. Having said that, I totally understand how you feel. England is like home to me, so I miss the place like crazy. I know I'll definitely go back sometime in 2010 or 2011.

Anyway, I hope you can take heart - you are not alone in this! Smile!
 
canary,

i know where u're coming from... i'm the direct opposite of u and i'd die in oz or scotland... in fact i'd even die in houston... have had a chance to travel abit and though i love the solitude when exploring places as far as argentina... i am a very fren-person... i will wither and wilt without my buddies around me. so environment like mountains and beautiful lakes etc are nothing to me without a great cuppa and company...

spore is fun IF u are a person-person... then u'll find it less boring cos there's always so much to talk abt. particularly those conversations on existentialism, dreams n goals... i think my dog will have a higher chance of walking me... if i ever own one, haha.

guess it's wat we make of life... and how we take it positively... i could never live in a more idyllic environment cos i thrive on stress and a fast-paced environment... guess i was brought up this way.

so yeah it's gonna be tough on u cos u're from the opposite side... well if u meet a fren like me for coffee, i guess our differences in outlook might last a few cuppas n make for a decent dinner + drinks, doesn't it? and when u want some solitude i guess the library or the park isn't that bad... though i'll melt.

chin-up!
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I am beyond words :-) This is exhilarating, really. I am taking in all words, advices and support.. I believe, and will definitely give SG a go !

Veiled, thanks! I am glad too, that we share the similar 'experience'. Which part of England were u staying ? I was in glasgow b4 moving to edinburgh, and also spent couple of years in hampshire, England. I stil love glasgow best :-)

Powder, u r really a funny person. If u ever met anyone like me, u will surely be bored to death. i love the national library n museum here..it is peaceful haha, but not the park, i will melt there.
 
well i guess arguing over which is a better life might be the interesting part... u might think guys like me have no life, i might think gals not making the most of your prime... etc etc... the differences are what makes conversations fun and life interesting...
 
just becareful with comparisons. We (Humans) tend to compare the weakness over the strengths of others. Hence, the saying of the pasture is always greener elsewhere.
 
Canary, your husband and you can make weekend trips to the neighbouring islands or countries. Make full use of your time here.
 
Hiya Canary Wharf,

I lived in a couple of places in England. Spent most of my time in London - Canary Wharf and Greenwich. I have also lived in Hampshire and Kent as well.

Glasgow is a great city, I will never forget the very distinctive Glaswegian accent!

Speaking of travelling, I'm now in the midst of planning 2 trips, 1 to India and another to Laos / Vietnam with some friends. Really excited!
 
Canary,

You might also want to consider taking up yoga, supposed to be relaxing and quieten your mind, at the same time you might meet some new friends. Try going during the 'office office' as majority will be at work and you wouldn't feel so stress-out.

Or like some others have suggested, picking up some hobby... or even baking and you can bake different pastries/cakes for your hubby.
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Sounds really good. Actually i am really looking forward to move into my new house, as i bought it with tenancy. Gotta wait til the tenancy ends and done with the renovation, then, i will start to cook and bake..i guess life will be better after that

I have never been to Batam nor Bintan, will definitely explore further beyond singapore :-)

I have never been to India too, sounds really exotic to me.

Thanks once again to everyone.. Have a good day ya !
 
Canary, heard Gao in India is great. I almost went there in 2007 as a friend of mine was posted to New Dehli and asked if I wanted to join him for a tour there.
 
Hi canary ,

i stayed in scotland (glasgow) for 5 years , study and work. I enjoy the life back then.

Life was easy, laidback , friendly , though the gloomy weather sometimes *spoil* my day. But i enjoy the cool air and abundant flora. It is like a paradise over there.

I understand how you feel. When i came back to Singapore , i could not adapt initially. The shock of the MRT (squeeze , and the noisy alarm when train door is closing "tootootootoo ... door closing") makes me feel like a production factory worker (and an ant racing for a goal). The weather is terrible (to me) And Singapore is a very noisy place too !

I dreamt of the going back to Scotland almost everyday (for initial few years) and i miss it dearly . There were many times i were tempted to go back as i dislike the pace of singapore. It took me 3 years to overcome it.

Thing is , I felt , if i were in rome , i have to be / do what the romans do. I felt i *had* an invisible mental barrier over me. So what i did was to open up horizons, meet up new friends, do stuffs that i enjoy doing. Hey , you can be a tourist in Singapore (i try to be one occasionally , visiting many spots in Singapore where Singaporeans are not aware of !).

Of course , we should cherish the pleasant memories (i still miss Scotland ! - I will definitely go back there one day), but in a new environment, there are abundant opportunities to look out for (depending on your values / interests / goals). However, we have to first change our mindset (about the place itself). Comparing sometimes lead one to despair.

So cheer up ! It will take a while for you to get over it. I am sure you will find it meaningful as I do over in here as long you make an effort
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Trust me, Singapore is really a great experience and pleasant at times. Be positive !
 
would like to bring back one point :
"but at time, when i see so many elderly working in the food courts or cleaning the MRTs eevryhwere i go, i dont really feel good at all. i feel deep heartache... i went to bugis and chinatown i see old n sickly old men carrying passengers on trishaw, n i feel sad...i dont know how should i put it, i am no saint,yet..or just im not used ot all these sights .. "

Actually, is that really depressing? Globally, the young are losing their jobs. Its a good thing the our folks are independent and still holding jobs instead of being replaced by outsource foreigners.

I encourage my mum to continue manding her profit losing retail shop. Why? it gives her an activity to get by apart from visiting her grand children. When she stopped for few yrs, her physical and mental health dropped badly. Now, she is coping fine at the shop.

I would say, its really one's perception and mindset. Do we see the positives or the negatives regardless which part of the world you are in.
 
Dear Milo,

I believe everyone has a different view for different matter, which is basically due to the way they are being brought up, family or social backgrounds etc

i am originally from Msia, but i have never seen some of the most poverty-sticken cities in my own country.I dont deny that i am being brought up too conservatively and in fact too well and too comfortable, that throughout my whole life, i have not really seen people working so hard for living, and i believe this can be the real reason why i am coping badly in singapore.

I dont deny that u r right, that it is all one's perception and mindset. I grow up getting everything i ever wanted, everything was to my own comfort zone, be it emotionally and financially. My husband used to have alot of time with me in UK bcoz we did not hv to work that long hours. We vacatiioned mainly in some nice european countries which i frankly speaking, i did not really see the poor..or maybe i just chose to 'close' my eyes

UK NHS(national health service) gives almost 95% free healthcare (though waiting hours can be long), in SG, healthcare fee can be exorbitantly expensive, and waiting time can be long too, unless u r a private paying full rate patient.

I believe yr family is financially well to do to enable yr mom to run her own retail shop, as she does not have to rely on the profit to make a living,but just to enhance her mental n physical activity

in SG, there are many old folks who are not as lucky as yr mom. there are ppl who gv up medical treatments for diseases like cancer etc. When asked why, most of them would say that they do not want to exhaust their whole life saving just for the treatments which do not have 100% of cure. they would rather save the money for their spouse so they have anough to use til old age. Thus, they give up treatment and wait to die.. And this is not uncommon here.. Yes, I feel really sad. No money, thus no treatment...

patients with chronic diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular diseases choose to halve their daily intake of medication just to save on their medication cost, and at the end, they have stroke, amputated legs, kidney failure and blindness. They will only say that they are poor, do not have enough medisave, children not supporting them due to high living cost and have problem coping with their own young family.....and again, there is no free healthcare here...

So, when patients are dying and no family members have the time to take care of them, they will be sent to old home or palliative care home..im not really sure how homes are operated in SG, and mind u, they have different packages to cater to different 'needs and luxury level'. So, imagine telling a dying patient, Package A: you sleep on Seahorse brand mattress and that will cost u SGD!@#$, package B: You sleep on Tempur memory foam mattress and this will cost u SGD!@$%$! ??? Does all these really make sense to u?

It isnt to me, really. U r dealing with someone who is dying and also financially poor..

Knowing all these, really make me 'awake' , that life can be real harsh here, bcoz they are lack of social support.

Milo, i am not being rude or defensive. Bcoz of what i see here, and the way i lead my life all these while, plus my upbringing, this is definitely a surprise to me. Thus i started this thread.

I think rather than changing my perception or mindset, i have come to accepting it as the way it is. I work hard to ensure i have a better life here,to have enough savings to care for my old age and enough for any sickness, and also to try to enjoy my life as much as i can.

SG is definitely a unique country by its own.
 
at least in sg, no one died while waiting for treatment .. you are mistaken to say that no money means no treatment.

even if one does not have the financial means, healthcare is still available for everyone .. the medical social worker is there, the hospitals also have medical funds, the doctors are able to waive fees, etc.

you talk about free healthcare in the UK but how often is it that you hear about people dying while waiting for someone to even come and have a look at them?

as for the old folks' homes/ palliative care homes, this is not unique to singapore .. i just don't understand why you keep talking about singapore like we're some poverty-stricken country.
 
Dear cuclainne,

I did not say that Singapore is a poverty-stricken country. In fact Sg is one of the wealthiest countries in the world with 1st class facilities.

I am new in this country, i might be wrong with what i posted. You can correct me if i am wrong. I am stil learning to know more about this city. But what i said earlier, is from what i have seen and heard.

My very close singaporean friends never deny the fact. MSW alwis available to help, but really to what extent, and what level of care? and also what type of doctors? MO? or registrar above? Pls correct me if i am wrong.

Some doctors only see private patients.Upon hearing that there will be a subsidised patient transferring to their ward or under their care, immediately they hang up the call.

of coz i have seen some wonderful doctors here who really care for their patients at all cost.

It really has nothing to do with UK. I was just citing an example.

sometimes, overall, i just find healthcare here is a bit too business-oriented. okay, i might be wrong again, just my opinion.

Sorry if i have offended any singaporean here. my hubby is a singaporean, being brought up here, and he told me, this is how it is. Just accept it.. and i will grow to love it
 
hi canary,

"i just find healthcare here is a bit too business-oriented"

very true indeed. That's the culture here. Everything is ran very biz oriented. Everything thing from public services, government, to even social organizations, they are ran this way.
 
if you just compare the lowest level of medical care, other developed countries should be much better. correct me if i am wrong, i don't think countries like US, canada, japan, etc. have the equivalent of c/b2 class wards where they pack 6 or more into a non a/c room. the level of care you get from medicare in australia (free) is heaps better than b2 care in singapore. as for the standard of treatment, it depends a lot on the doctor of course. it is safe to assume that you are not going to get any 'unnecessary'/bleeding edge treatments if you are a subsidized patient. but SG govt claims that no one will be denied critical medical services.

once you go up a class or two, things get much better. private clinics are accessible (even weekends) and relatively inexpensive. you don't have to wait for an available bed in the hospital and the standard of medical care is good, luxurious even. of course the rich can and will get the best care, no matter where they are.

so if i belong to the low/lower middle income group, i would like to live in other developed countries. if i am rich, it doesn't matter, i can afford the best care wherever they are available. (the rich in singapore pays very low income tax of course.) anywhere in between it is hard to say, too many variables to consider.
 
i don't get it.. how come every thread i go to.. the conversation seemed to have gotten to the part where it's no longer relevant to the subject anymore ha..? *abit blur* lol.
 
lolliepop,

it's known as a conversation... do note we're out of school where u attend a subject and all u focus on is The Subject.

when u wanna look at LV and u head to taka, u may go into chanel or fendi or dior along the way to LV, or when u pass by after. not many pple go to taka, park their car, goto LV, see 1 item, then goto carpark and drive home.
 
canary,

guess u gotta see the positives instead of just looking at the negatives...
u might have grown up on a belief that our country must take care of us, but most of us grew up with the idea that we take care of ourselves...

when i'm older, i wouldn't actually mind menial jobs to pass time and remain active... u ever thought it's becos i have spent 30 working years brainstorming and solving problems... that when u retire, u just wanna do a mindless simpl job where the responsibility level may not longer appeal, nor the promotions...

medical care is not free, but it certainly isn't inaccessible. there's medisafe, insurance and a host of other programs... Laziness+Ignorance exposes us, not the government.

actually got lots to say, but takes time...
 
Hi canary wharf,

i do think you have unrealistic expectations that are being heaped upon on yourself, notably from the experiences of other countries. It is normal to get un-used to a new country climate, a new country culture or the new people, for those i can understand. However, it is plain obvious that you are using the “culture shock” thingy to whine about facts, and since the creation of this country, those Facts existed for one reason or another.

1) Your Stress due to the crowd? - this is a tiny country that is expanding its population count on a yearly basis, obviously for the new talents and to retain the regional competitiveness. Why try to measure this Fact against a country that is way, way, way larger and has its own Environmental factors?

2) Your Stress due to the train? - feel suffocated or giddy? Then take cab, as I genuinely suggested. So, you have your own financial plans? Then work towards your goals, like what the rest of us are doing. Stop whining.

3) Your Stress due to the walking distance? – bruises and blisters? Hello, what’s there to advise if you can’t manage these small injuries? This is pretty much, common sense.

4) Your Stress due to different Weather Climate? – your hubby and you made a mutual decision (at least, that’s all I’m still trying to gather) to embark your careers in S’pore for some reasons. And here you, whining away with the “sunny, sweaty climate”. Get real, wake your senses up. You are now in a different region; you won’t get every singe thing going perfect for you, at any point of time.

5) For the medical aspects, other forumers touched on it – depending on the financial comfort level, it’s a Fact that most of us know that we can’t just whine for the sake of it.

Yes, as humans, it is normal that we complain but we shouldn’t just whine and make ourselves look “pitiful, miserable”. And you happen to fall into this category, to be real honest.
I have the utmost respect for people who get the tough going despite working in a different country or culture, so I hope you can chin up and be a stronger person….. maybe, you’ll surprise yourself.


Re-read your previous thoughts -

“sometimes i cry to sleep everynite thinking back of all the good memories i hv when i was abroad. i miss my life there soooooo much, that there is no word to describe it. i dont feel i belong here..at times. of coz i hv met n make new friends here, but still, it is not enough...”

AND

“I was staying in scotland b4 i came here. life was easy, laidback, friendly environment, albeit the gloomy weather which i rather love (snuggling n fuzzing under yr warm comforter)”


It’s about time to acknowledge that this is a different stage of your life…. Otherwise, please tell your hubby truthfully about it and head back whatever you come from. Nobody wants to see a person who engages in Negativity for a prolonged period.
Remember, it's very unhealthy for yourself and the people around you.
 
hi vios,

what walking distance. Frankly, I find singaporeans are one of the laziest people around that walk the least actually. And we have idiot drivers that must illegally stop and park right in front on 1 lane streets of places when the car park is just behind. Such morons needs to be fined before that move their big fat asses. No as if they are driving elderly folks or handicap.
 
Actually, in this thread, we did not really deviate from the subject. We are still on advising the TS, addressing her negativity. That, in fact, I BELIEVE is the best advise (at least to me) for her to cope with the cultural shock she is experiencing.
 
Milo,

i MUST agree with you on those idiot drivers stuff. lol!! it's so singaporean! haha.. goshh.. the most frustrated time of my everyday life is when i'm on the road. goodness!
 
Milo,

Yes, plenty of idiotic, selfish drivers on the roads - all because they cannot walk 10 more metres as it's too far away from where they want to go
 
And alot of these idiots are parents of 'emperor' kids fetching their precious from classes at CCs. As if they are snowman that will melt on their walk to the carpark behind.

Why does so many singaporeans go to such extremes over themselves, their convenience, family, kids and BLIND to normal decency? They take advantage that the fact the the other fellow singaporeans probably not going to do anything about their bad behavior.
 
In Singapore,

1. We do not have four seasons here, but our public transport or aviation activities need not come to a halt because of adverse weather conditions.

2. People are always rushing, and you feel suffocated. However, I have not come across an occasion where I have to sit 1-1/2 hours in front of the travel consultant just to see her process my trip.

3. When I was in the UK, I heard the following news:

a. A group of youngsters created havoc at the front garden of a 60-year old woman's house. The old woman was angry and accidentally snipped the ear of one of the teenagers. Guess what? She had to be jailed in prison for one night.

b. A mother was pushing the buggy with a 18-month toddler on it when a car suddenly swearved and knocked onto the buggy, killing the toddler on the spot. It was found out later that the person behind the wheels was a 14-year old boy.

The list goes on.

So, while looking at the "weaknesses" of Singapore, and reminiscing on the "goodness" of UK, perhaps what you should do, like what others said, is to have an open mind. There are always two sides of a coin. Accepting that conditions in Singapore are as they are is one thing, your mindset is another (are you accepting things with indignation?).
 


I just received an e-mail from a friend which I would like to share with everyone. Sorry for the long message.

It's called "The Wisdom in Hot Chocolate"

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were discussing their lives at a class reunion. They decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired, who was always an inspiration to them.

During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work, lives and relationships.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups. Some cups were porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He invited each to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor shared his thoughts.

“Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.”

“While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.”

“The cup that you are drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.”

“What each of you really wanted was hot chocolate. You did not want the cup . . . but you consciously went for the best cups.”

“And soon, you began to eye one another’s cups.”

“Now friends, please consider this . . .

“Life is the hot chocolate . . .your job, money and position in society are the cups.”

“They are just tools to hold and contain life.”

“The cup you have does not define, nor does it change, the quality of life you are living.”

“Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup,we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us.”

Always remember this: The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have!!
 
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