Who's your bet for president?

[Lisafuller]

I think about whether or not he'll be able to serve without being ruled by his religion. Singapore is, after all a secular state.

I understand that he is deeply involved in his church, which is lovely, but I've also heard that his positions on social issues like LGBTQ+ issues tend to be very conservative.

[malcontent]

I think about whether or not he'll be able to serve without being ruled by his religion. Singapore is, after all a secular state.

I understand that he is deeply involved in his church, which is lovely, but I've also heard that his positions on social issues like LGBTQ+ issues tend to be very conservative.

Singapore is secular, but also very conservative socially — the two are not incompatible.

[Lisafuller]

I think that in recent years there has been a move to be more moderate - even the elderly-pleasing PAP is recognizing that Singapore looks overly conservative from the outside.

[malcontent]

I think that in recent years there has been a move to be more moderate - even the elderly-pleasing PAP is recognizing that Singapore looks overly conservative from the outside.

Singapore has always been strait laced and the population here tends to be more conservative than most. I’ll bet if you asked parents here if they would be heartbroken if their child ended up LGBT, 99%+ would answer in the affirmative.

Funny story, my son and I were at Carl’s Jr the weekend before last and a local family sat at the table next to us. Their son had gotten a hold of some lipstick and was going to use it…the father quickly said, you can’t use that - it’s for girls and you are a boy. Later on my son recounted that to me and said Singaporeans have their head screwed on right — at SAS they teach that you shouldn’t push gender stereotypes on kids; let them decide what they want to identify as. I’m glad my son was blessed with common sense.

[Lisafuller]

I think that in recent years there has been a move to be more moderate - even the elderly-pleasing PAP is recognizing that Singapore looks overly conservative from the outside.

Singapore has always been strait laced and the population here tends to be more conservative than most. I’ll bet if you asked parents here if they would be heartbroken if their child ended up LGBT, 99%+ would answer in the affirmative.

Funny story, my son and I were at Carl’s Jr the weekend before last and a local family sat at the table next to us. Their son had gotten a hold of some lipstick and was going to use it…the father quickly said, you can’t use that - it’s for girls and you are a boy. Later on my son recounted that to me and said Singaporeans have their head screwed on right — at SAS they teach that you shouldn’t push gender stereotypes on kids; let them decide what they want to identify as. I’m glad my son was blessed with common sense.

Right, but I think you're missing the point. There's a new generation of voters emerging, and they have very different beliefs from our generation, and the generation above us.

It's important that our politics represent our people.

[malcontent]

I think that in recent years there has been a move to be more moderate - even the elderly-pleasing PAP is recognizing that Singapore looks overly conservative from the outside.

Singapore has always been strait laced and the population here tends to be more conservative than most. I’ll bet if you asked parents here if they would be heartbroken if their child ended up LGBT, 99%+ would answer in the affirmative.

Funny story, my son and I were at Carl’s Jr the weekend before last and a local family sat at the table next to us. Their son had gotten a hold of some lipstick and was going to use it…the father quickly said, you can’t use that - it’s for girls and you are a boy. Later on my son recounted that to me and said Singaporeans have their head screwed on right — at SAS they teach that you shouldn’t push gender stereotypes on kids; let them decide what they want to identify as. I’m glad my son was blessed with common sense.

Right, but I think you're missing the point. There's a new generation of voters emerging, and they have very different beliefs from our generation, and the generation above us.

It's important that our politics represent our people.

I talk to a lot of the new generation about their views (many in my office) and I haven’t seen a huge moderating of their views. On LGBT it seems to be more about tolerating than advocating. At their core, Singaporeans are a practical bunch. They care about bread and butter issues. LGBT is pretty low on their list of priorities, if it’s even on the list at all.

[Lisafuller]

Singapore has always been strait laced and the population here tends to be more conservative than most. I’ll bet if you asked parents here if they would be heartbroken if their child ended up LGBT, 99%+ would answer in the affirmative.

Funny story, my son and I were at Carl’s Jr the weekend before last and a local family sat at the table next to us. Their son had gotten a hold of some lipstick and was going to use it…the father quickly said, you can’t use that - it’s for girls and you are a boy. Later on my son recounted that to me and said Singaporeans have their head screwed on right — at SAS they teach that you shouldn’t push gender stereotypes on kids; let them decide what they want to identify as. I’m glad my son was blessed with common sense.

Right, but I think you're missing the point. There's a new generation of voters emerging, and they have very different beliefs from our generation, and the generation above us.

It's important that our politics represent our people.

I talk to a lot of the new generation about their views (many in my office) and I haven’t seen a huge moderating of their views. On LGBT it seems to be more about tolerating than advocating. At their core, Singaporeans are a practical bunch. They care about bread and butter issues. LGBT is pretty low on their list of priorities, if it’s even on the list at all.

Have you ever considered that maybe they don't feel comfortable fully expressing their opinions? Not just because you weren't aren't the most liberal (no offense intended, whatsoever), but also because offices don't tend to be informal enough to be candid?

[malcontent]

Right, but I think you're missing the point. There's a new generation of voters emerging, and they have very different beliefs from our generation, and the generation above us.

It's important that our politics represent our people.

I talk to a lot of the new generation about their views (many in my office) and I haven’t seen a huge moderating of their views. On LGBT it seems to be more about tolerating than advocating. At their core, Singaporeans are a practical bunch. They care about bread and butter issues. LGBT is pretty low on their list of priorities, if it’s even on the list at all.

Have you ever considered that maybe they don't feel comfortable fully expressing their opinions? Not just because you weren't aren't the most liberal (no offense intended, whatsoever), but also because offices don't tend to be informal enough to be candid?

That only applies to new people in their first couple of years. You need to understand — our office is not your typical office… it’s VERY casual, the average tenure of employees is VERY long, and we have genuine trust - we all become like family. It’s the main reason I’m on my 27th year! It’s almost shocking the things that get discussed… from highly personal, even sensitive, marital, criminal, financial, political and religious. Sometimes I think people share a little too much! I’ve yet find a topic that is off limits for most, once they become family.

[Lisafuller]

I talk to a lot of the new generation about their views (many in my office) and I haven’t seen a huge moderating of their views. On LGBT it seems to be more about tolerating than advocating. At their core, Singaporeans are a practical bunch. They care about bread and butter issues. LGBT is pretty low on their list of priorities, if it’s even on the list at all.

Have you ever considered that maybe they don't feel comfortable fully expressing their opinions? Not just because you weren't aren't the most liberal (no offense intended, whatsoever), but also because offices don't tend to be informal enough to be candid?

That only applies to new people in their first couple of years. You need to understand — our office is not your typical office… it’s VERY casual, the average tenure of employees is VERY long, and we have genuine trust - we all become like family. It’s the main reason I’m on my 27th year! It’s almost shocking the things that get discussed… from highly personal, even sensitive, marital, criminal, financial, political and religious. Sometimes I think people share a little too much! I’ve yet find a topic that is off limits for most, once they become family.

Fair enough, you definitely know your office better than I do. Perhaps, then, one of the reasons why your office is so close knit is because employees share similar values and opinions. That being said, these opinions might not be representative of the larger local population.

[malcontent]

Have you ever considered that maybe they don't feel comfortable fully expressing their opinions? Not just because you weren't aren't the most liberal (no offense intended, whatsoever), but also because offices don't tend to be informal enough to be candid?

That only applies to new people in their first couple of years. You need to understand — our office is not your typical office… it’s VERY casual, the average tenure of employees is VERY long, and we have genuine trust - we all become like family. It’s the main reason I’m on my 27th year! It’s almost shocking the things that get discussed… from highly personal, even sensitive, marital, criminal, financial, political and religious. Sometimes I think people share a little too much! I’ve yet find a topic that is off limits for most, once they become family.

Fair enough, you definitely know your office better than I do. Perhaps, then, one of the reasons why your office is so close knit is because employees share similar values and opinions. That being said, these opinions might not be representative of the larger local population.

I’d say those who stay long-term are those who are patient in their careers and can appreciate work/life balance, but there are hundreds of employees in our office and over a thousand employees in Singapore, including our other offices. I don’t know everyone, but I have worked in a lot of different divisions over the years and know most who have stuck around. It a wide mix of true blue Singaporeans, converted Singaporeans (mostly Malaysian Chinese, but not all), long term PRs and long term EP holders from just about everywhere. It’s really quite the smorgasbord.

[jalanjalan]

I talk to a lot of the new generation about their views (many in my office) and I haven’t seen a huge moderating of their views. On LGBT it seems to be more about tolerating than advocating. At their core, Singaporeans are a practical bunch. They care about bread and butter issues. LGBT is pretty low on their list of priorities, if it’s even on the list at all.

When I've asked young people (like late teens) about their dreams for the future, they often say "to find a stable job". They are very focused on that, and on meeting family expectations (real or perceived). Social causes don't even get a mention. I was a little surprised at that, but it's exactly how I was at that age too.

[malcontent]

I talk to a lot of the new generation about their views (many in my office) and I haven’t seen a huge moderating of their views. On LGBT it seems to be more about tolerating than advocating. At their core, Singaporeans are a practical bunch. They care about bread and butter issues. LGBT is pretty low on their list of priorities, if it’s even on the list at all.

When I've asked young people (like late teens) about their dreams for the future, they often say "to find a stable job". They are very focused on that, and on meeting family expectations (real or perceived). Social causes don't even get a mention. I was a little surprised at that, but it's exactly how I was at that age too.

Sounds like the classic, get in where you fit in.

When I first moved here at age 24, I was renting a room in a Singaporean household and they had a nephew living there, probably age 16 or 17. He was curious why I would move to Singapore and he concluded that I seem to “fit the culture” here better, because I take things more seriously than typical Americans. It was an astute observation.

[jalanjalan]

I talk to a lot of the new generation about their views (many in my office) and I haven’t seen a huge moderating of their views. On LGBT it seems to be more about tolerating than advocating. At their core, Singaporeans are a practical bunch. They care about bread and butter issues. LGBT is pretty low on their list of priorities, if it’s even on the list at all.

When I've asked young people (like late teens) about their dreams for the future, they often say "to find a stable job". They are very focused on that, and on meeting family expectations (real or perceived). Social causes don't even get a mention. I was a little surprised at that, but it's exactly how I was at that age too.

Sounds like the classic, get in where you fit in.

When I first moved here at age 24, I was renting a room in a Singaporean household and they had a nephew living there, probably age 16 or 17. He was curious why I would move to Singapore and he concluded that I seem to “fit the culture” here better, because I take things more seriously than typical Americans. It was an astute observation.

hm.. come to think of it, when I first landed (also age 24) I set to job hunting the very next day. Never went clubbing or anything like that. My excitement was (and still is) going to IKEA or to a neighbourhood park.

[malcontent]

When I've asked young people (like late teens) about their dreams for the future, they often say "to find a stable job". They are very focused on that, and on meeting family expectations (real or perceived). Social causes don't even get a mention. I was a little surprised at that, but it's exactly how I was at that age too.

Sounds like the classic, get in where you fit in.

When I first moved here at age 24, I was renting a room in a Singaporean household and they had a nephew living there, probably age 16 or 17. He was curious why I would move to Singapore and he concluded that I seem to “fit the culture” here better, because I take things more seriously than typical Americans. It was an astute observation.

hm.. come to think of it, when I first landed (also age 24) I set to job hunting the very next day. Never went clubbing or anything like that. My excitement was (and still is) going to IKEA or to a neighbourhood park.

Wow, the very next day? Between the jet lag (which I’d never experienced before) and the newness of everything, it was all I could do drag myself down, take a public bus for the first time in my life, and have some chicken rice (washed down with some barley water).

I remember going to Orchard, inside Wisma… it was the most crowded place I’d ever experienced. Eaton Center in Toronto was probably second most - before we moved to SG, I used to smuggle my SO into Canada without a visa, as there was no passport check.

I didn’t send my first resume until the next weekend (I had to get passport photos made to include with my resume). Back then, most job listings were found in the Saturday edition of the Straits Times. I found that sending first thing on Monday tended to get the best response. And, back then you had to have pager, that was how prospective employers would contact you to call them.

I was surprised how easy it was to get called for an interview at the time, things were booming in 1996/97, until the Asian crisis hit.

[MOCHS]

My dad had a business years ago and met George Goh once at a meeting. My dad only said he’s chatty & polite, not enough to know someone personally.