Considering leaving Singapore

[PNGMK]

I've read anonymous reports of female tourists being raped in Singapore when cutting through a park at dark. It still pays to be Vigilant. Having just spent three weeks hiking around PNG though and needing to be aware of where my stuff was all the time it's a relief to be back.

[malcontent]

What a clear majority thinks about an authentic travel experience is pretty evident at any SEA hotel/resort buffet breakfast seeing white folks eating only baked beans, sausages, fried tomatoes and scrambled eggs.

I feel sad for these people, imagine taking the time and money to travel all the way here and then eating what you would back in your homes. Ridiculous.

That food is often worse than what they get home. I used to think they might be afraid that Asian food is always very spicy, hot, but I've seen so many such buffets with really mouth watering looking Asian food, not spicy at all (because they cater also for Western tourist what is here my problem) and people not event willing to try it? That is ridiculous. It is not like you must have some developed taste to enjoy fried noodles or pho.

Reminds me of a manager from the US who worked at our office in Singapore for 5 years and when I asked him what his favorite local food was, he said Tony Romas. I was taken aback — not that I didn’t love Tony Romas back in the day, but surely something local has got to ring your bell. One advantage I had is a local SO to help assimilate me. But when I think back, I was cooking Indian curry at my parent’s home in the US before I ever met her, and nobody ever introduced me to that… I still love a good curry to this day.

[jalanjalan]

I am going to renew my rental agreement for 3.5k a month. This is a 30% of my gross salary. Thats like ridiculous amount to be paying on rent. But I guess, no choice. This is Switzerland of Asia, only costwise. Quality-wise the place I live is pretty rundown HDB, it is so hot and sweaty and mosquitoes bite me all the time. What the hell is it with Jurong and mosquitoes. It feels really like third world living stds at 1st world prices.

Put lots of tiger balm. I was in a dengue hotspot for some months but never got bit. Though some humans do seem more tasty to them than others.

[jalanjalan]

What a clear majority thinks about an authentic travel experience is pretty evident at any SEA hotel/resort buffet breakfast seeing white folks eating only baked beans, sausages, fried tomatoes and scrambled eggs.

Last year I went on a cruise up to Penang, hoping to have some angmo breakfast fare as I seldom make that at home, but the menu was all prata, rice, curry and dal which I eat all the time.

[x9200]

I feel sad for these people, imagine taking the time and money to travel all the way here and then eating what you would back in your homes. Ridiculous.

That food is often worse than what they get home. I used to think they might be afraid that Asian food is always very spicy, hot, but I've seen so many such buffets with really mouth watering looking Asian food, not spicy at all (because they cater also for Western tourist what is here my problem) and people not event willing to try it? That is ridiculous. It is not like you must have some developed taste to enjoy fried noodles or pho.

Reminds me of a manager from the US who worked at our office in Singapore for 5 years and when I asked him what his favorite local food was, he said Tony Romas. I was taken aback — not that I didn’t love Tony Romas back in the day, but surely something local has got to ring your bell. One advantage I had is a local SO to help assimilate me. But when I think back, I was cooking Indian curry at my parent’s home in the US before I ever met her, and nobody ever introduced me to that… I still love a good curry to this day.

I think the first obvious immersion would be to go to a coffee shop and a friend of mine was asked once by his colleague (don't remember the nationality, a Westerner anyway) "do you really eat in places like that?" Perhaps some people have reservations. I could even understand, at first, but after a year or longer?

[x9200]

What a clear majority thinks about an authentic travel experience is pretty evident at any SEA hotel/resort buffet breakfast seeing white folks eating only baked beans, sausages, fried tomatoes and scrambled eggs.

Last year I went on a cruise up to Penang, hoping to have some angmo breakfast fare as I seldom make that at home, but the menu was all prata, rice, curry and dal which I eat all the time.

Huh? Almost hard to believe for a cruise. Specifically baked beans sort of breakfast? Bastards. I know a few places around where they serve pretty good angmoh breakfasts too, not baked beans though. Can share locations

[MOCHS]

My hubby enjoys all kinds of food but still isn’t used to hawker centres. I asked him why and he said it’s confusing & stressful to decide ASAP what to order when he reaches the front of the Q since the menu font is kinda small to read when you’re in line. The stall owners can be impatient too. *sweatdrop*

So usually he gets to taste local food at my parents when they cook or when I tabao food home.

I get semi-annoyed when he & my in-laws refer to “chicken rice” as “chicken and rice”. Nooo! They are different things.

Speaking of rice, I quite like the microwave-able rice in the US. I found it tasty & convenient but Uncle Roger’s ancestors will cry. My MIL watches his videos and told me not to be offended when she served us microwaved rice for a home cooked dinner. I didn’t mind, it was yummy.

[Wd40]

Whenever my wife doesn't pack lunch for me, I go to Amoy food court and I have chicken rice(chicken cutlet which is like crispy) for $4.5 but I can't have it everyday. My colleagues have Guzman y Gomez, cold cut etc all close to $12. Its becoming really expensive. I feel so poor in Singapore. In India somehow I am spending rupees and even though it is not cheap, I somehow spend freely over there and feel like rich there. It is a social strata thing. In Singapore, I somehow cannot associate with even the middleclass, since I am foreigner and I get hit so badly in every area, I tend to cut cost and live like a really poor person.

[x9200]

This rental hike seems to take some heavy toll on your mood WD40. Perhaps the part of the problem is trying to be too frugal and save too much? You salary is fine, household income average, you have mountains of savings. There are always ups and downs especially for the rental.
My rental went almost 50% up. I know people who had it at 70%. The market is still insane, but 10-12y ago the prices were even higher I believe.

[x9200]

My hubby enjoys all kinds of food but still isn’t used to hawker centres. I asked him why and he said it’s confusing & stressful to decide ASAP what to order when he reaches the front of the Q since the menu font is kinda small to read when you’re in line. The stall owners can be impatient too. *sweatdrop*

I always rely either on what I can see on the trays and just point my finger, or point to the picture. Not too many stalls with just text menu I believe?

[MOCHS]

@WD40, if you order small instead of regular at GYG and don’t order a set, they cost $8+.

You only have one life and one body, sometimes you gotta spend more for nutritious food instead of cheap unhealthy junk or pack lunch from home. IMO you can’t bring money to the grave and you gotta accept SG is expensive in general instead of comparing to everything you’re used to back home. Read this webcomic by thewokesalaryman on thriftiness.

I always rely either on what I can see on the trays and just point my finger, or point to the picture. Not too many stalls with just text menu I believe?

Sometimes the pictures are confusing to him since the meat/veg or gravy or plating isn’t what he’s used to lol. He prefers to read what is in the dish instead of relying on pics.

[smoulder]

The funny thing is that when I have traveled back to Bangalore in recent years, many of the things which were far cheaper compared to Singapore, have caught up or narrowed the gap. Not property of course, but things like eating out is way more expensive back in India at least tier 1 cities.

Wd40, I mentioned this before. The spike in rent is hopefully temporary. Grit your teeth and face the losses. You have a ton of savings and I'm sure that even in these hard times, you will have enough discipline to save more than most people.

I also second what MOCHS wrote. Sometimes you have to loosen up a bit. Money is for spending. Sure you need to have savings to fall back on, but you aren't going to be able to take your money beyond the grave, so it's OK to let go sometime.

[Wd40]

The funny thing is that when I have traveled back to Bangalore in recent years, many of the things which were far cheaper compared to Singapore, have caught up or narrowed the gap. Not property of course, but things like eating out is way more expensive back in India at least tier 1 cities.

Wd40, I mentioned this before. The spike in rent is hopefully temporary. Grit your teeth and face the losses. You have a ton of savings and I'm sure that even in these hard times, you will have enough discipline to save more than most people.

I also second what MOCHS wrote. Sometimes you have to loosen up a bit. Money is for spending. Sure you need to have savings to fall back on, but you aren't going to be able to take your money beyond the grave, so it's OK to let go sometime.

Thanks! Yes, I am just venting it out here. BTW, I read that MoM has released the foreign workers stats as of Dec 2022. I find it strange, the number of EP holders has not crossed the peak of Dec 2019, yet rents have skyrocketed. I wonder what has caused the housing shortage. In 2018, there were so many houses vacant, we were spoilt for choice.

https://www.mom.gov.sg/documents-and-pu ... ce-numbers

[Lisafuller]

Food neophobia is not exclusive to white folks, but I try to reserve judgment when I see such a spectacle… there are a lot of reasons one might choose western food at the breakfast buffet. Sometimes it’s simply that local breakfast options at the buffet just aren’t that great.

But in my case, I’ve been in Asia so long that good western food is a rare treat. I still recall when I used to make trips to the Philippines, I would seek out western food there because nowhere in Asia does it better, or cheaper - and there’s no shortage of Asian food in my diet; so I certainly don’t mind the variety now and again.

Have you tried Botak Jones, by any chance? Curious to hear what you think.

I think my first Botak Jones experience was out in Tuas back in the late 90’s or early 00’s, and I’ve partaken ever since, though not post-Covid… not sure where he’s at now. I won’t say I’m a fan of all dishes, but his Cajun chicken has never disappointed. It was also one of the few places you could get a genuine beef hot dog - not a regular indulgence, but nice on rare occasions. Dairy Queen here used to have a half-way decent beef dog back in the day. Still, nothing beats store bought premium angus beef hot dogs in the US. It was near top of my list on my first post-Covid trip to the US. Just last week I got my dog fix at a Chicago Cubs game. Travel opening up has definitely cured some cravings.

I have to say, Botak Jones makes a mean chili dog. They also do really great fries, for some reason crinkle fries are becoming a rarity here nowadays, and they do them really well with an excellent seasoning.

There was a Dairy Queen in Singapore for some time many years ago, in City Square Mall. I only managed to get there once before it closed down though. That's one thing I can't wait to have whenever I'm back in the US, a thick, tasty blizzard.

[Lisafuller]

What a clear majority thinks about an authentic travel experience is pretty evident at any SEA hotel/resort buffet breakfast seeing white folks eating only baked beans, sausages, fried tomatoes and scrambled eggs.

I feel sad for these people, imagine taking the time and money to travel all the way here and then eating what you would back in your homes. Ridiculous.

They are missing out — that is for sure. Although I was eating local from day one arrival here, I certainly wish I had been more open to certain local food and drinks in my early days. I stubbornly resisted teh tarik for probably a decade. Now I can barely live without it — make it myself at home almost every day.

I was really averse to Char Kway Teow back in the day, thought it looked absolutely awful. It's one of my favorites today, really embodies the idea of ugly delicious.