sundaymorningstaple wrote:serendipity,
Singapore is noted for its laws. No Begging is one of them. There are no Singaporean beggers in Singapore. Those that are approaching you, are sitting on the overpass, standing on the sidewalks are all from outside singapore and are run by syndicates. It's just like the deafmutes selling stuffed animals, they are neither deaf nor mute. It is just a ruse to get soft hearted folks like yourself to part with their money.
Same in NYC. The Pencil selling invalids are earning 30K usd a year minimum. They are not beggars they are just smarter than you to get you to fork up $2 for absolutely nothing.
Singapore has enough self-help groups and charities (clan associations, etc.) to cater to Singapore's welfare receipients. What you see are from across the causway or harbour. While singapore does not have an entrenched welfare system, those that truly need help are usually taken care of. Yes, like splatted's story today, there will always be those who somehow manage to fall through the cracks somehow.
sms
So are you implying that one should be more skeptical here when encountering people like that?It is just a ruse to get soft hearted folks like yourself to part with their money.
Ahum....sundaymorningstaple wrote:A good example of this is the US Navy. Often, when they are visiting Singapore for several days a contingent of them, all volunteers, go to Boystown and do repairs, maintenance and what-have-you for the residents there (It's not just a reformatory).
sms
As well you should be, Eric. However it won't be me doing it! When a US Carrier comes into Singapore it is carrying a contingent of over 5000 when not in full battle ready state on the carrier alone not counting the ancillary fleet. Believe me, what you see in town and beating others up is minute (often caused by anti-american bashers having had too much to drink and spouting off to the wrong people (Marines in particular). Conversely, if you had been here as long as I have, you might be more inclined to think the Kiwi's held that title (sorry tiki - I've seen the Kiwi SP's more than the US SP's over the years. You boys really like to mix it up! And damn good I might add! )Eric from the Netherlands wrote:Ahum....sundaymorningstaple wrote:A good example of this is the US Navy. Often, when they are visiting Singapore for several days a contingent of them, all volunteers, go to Boystown and do repairs, maintenance and what-have-you for the residents there (It's not just a reformatory).
sms
I may be crucified again for my supposed anti-american sentiment, but those navy boys are more known for their drunken agression when again in town. Beating up other people, molesting staff and other guests in Hilton hotel (their fav place, as it is opposite OT).
Good to hear that in between they also find time to do some charity...
Eric
I would like to know what exactly you mean by that? In the first instance the Singapore government likely cannot afford such a system and in any case the culture as you know is different to that of the UK for example. When you say 'the west has been a great teacher on how not to do that' presumably you are talking about America.sundaymorningstaple wrote:serendipity,
The government wont put in place a structured welfare system because they have seen what it will do to a country (the west has been a great teacher on how NOT to do that).
sms
The fact that when in Asia referring to the West generally means the US (rightly or wrongly) and the fact that we are the ones who are always blamed for all the ills of the world I can only use the US as a model. Even the "Projects" which is like I guess the forerunners of HDB housing here or even "council housing" as you were talking about in another thread. Here it isn't dangerous, in the US it's dangerous all the time. Apparently it is the same in the UK?Plavt wrote: I would like to know what exactly you mean by that? In the first instance the Singapore government likely cannot afford such a system and in any case the culture as you know is different to that of the UK for example. When you say 'the west has been a great teacher on how not to do that' presumably you are talking about America.
Plavt.
I think the only thing left "here" that is British in origin is the driving on the other side of the road, english spellings and some pronunciations e.g., schedule, aluminium and so forth, a parlimentary government (albiet no longer uk style - in as much as there is no viable opposition). Oh yeah..........tiki wrote:In a way it's correct SMS.
Generally when you mention 'West', the common (mis)conception woould be the assumption that it is the US of A.
But you reckon the UK in not really considered the 'West' because the system here is basically modelled after theirs?
...well if fish&chips came wrapped in a newspaper, that would complete it
They banned that in the year England won the FIFA World Cup?Plavt wrote:tiki wrote:well if fish&chips came wrapped in a newspaper, that would complete it
You must have a long memory Tiki, the practice was banned when I was nine years old (about 1966 if I remember correctly), oops giving my age away.
Plavt.
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