Singapore and Women

[Global Citizen]

But one thing I find weird in Singapore ...guys traipsing around Orchard Rd with an "I'm doomed" look on their face...

...and I thought it was only me noticing this....

The way i see it, there isn't much male chauvinism here

GC, are you 'here', I thought you were in Jamaica?

re your comment, it was not until I came to Singapore that I heard the acronym "MCP" used, and it's used somewhat frequently, so there must be some reason

No, I'm still in Jams and the 'here' I was referring to is Singapore and based on my personal work experiences of working in Singapore and those of my friends and colleagues, when I lived there.

Surprisingly, the most chauvinistic experience(s) that I recall were those from a couple of S*** (European nationality) men that I had the unfortunate experience of working with for several months.

[Strong Eagle]

Hard to say about 'male chauvinism' althought I think it exists, and some Asian women have told me they prefer expats because of a more open mind... but that is only anecdotal.

But can I talk for a minute about 'female chauvinism'? Walk down the street in Singapore and white women ignore the men completely. Eye contact? Never. A friendly smile? So rare. Compare this to the Asian women who make eye contact, who smile.

What's the difference? Does a white woman who smiles at a guy think it is an immediate invitation to bed? Does she lump me with the men that think it is an invitation?

I think that rather than being concerned with 'male chauvinism' one might examine one's own attitude towards men. There are pricks out there... I just don't like being lumped with them... and white women (there I go... lumping people) seem to have a very different view of what openness is about.

On the whole, I think men here are very respectful of women... but they do like them to be approachable... or at least friendly... or at least to acknowledge the existence of an individual with a penis.

[aletheia]

Well , my experience had to do more with cultural habits than with the issue Men & Women . I come from Southern Europe and we men & women & cats make a lot of eye contact , and having a little talk with a stranger is not a major thing ,very different from my experience in Central Europe where people (included men ) did look aside usually .

[vjsimon]

I get lost with so many acronyms but , yes the use of it implies a bit of 'GCP' , right ??
So a TV show like 'sex and the city ' could have taken place also in Singapore?

Could have but it didn't. That is the way things are over here. Haha...

[pinkishlips]

Things can only get better here. It all depends on our own atttitudes and perceptions of the working world!:)
Don't worry too much!:)

[shuchita]

I've been here for nine months now and I've observed that the women are almost always well turned out - amazing hair, amazing skin, amazing outfits (love some of the "architectural" skirts/dresses).

Before I proceed with the flip side, I'm sorry if I come across as crude or ignorant.

But I've also noticed that many women wear... how should I put this... really tight trousers/shorts/jeans and end up with embarassing (to me) cameltoes.

So my questions is - Is this normal here ? I've lived in Pune (India), NYC, Geneva, Sheffield and it was always considered a thing to avoid.

[sundaymorningstaple]

But I've also noticed that many women wear... how should I put this... really tight trousers/shorts/jeans and end up with embarassing (to me) cameltoes.

I ain't even gonna touch this one!

[littlegreenman]

But I've also noticed that many women wear... how should I put this... really tight trousers/shorts/jeans and end up with embarassing (to me) cameltoes.

Sigh, yeah things don't seem to have changed a lot since I left. Wearing Leggings ONLY had become very popular when I left Singapore in late 2007. Can't believe they still didn't notice that this is not a piece of clothing to be solely worn.

[ukdesigner]

But I've also noticed that many women wear... how should I put this... really tight trousers/shorts/jeans and end up with embarassing (to me) cameltoes.

gotta love Singapore.

[ksl]

But I've also noticed that many women wear... how should I put this... really tight trousers/shorts/jeans and end up with embarassing (to me) cameltoes.

Sigh, yeah things don't seem to have changed a lot since I left. Wearing Leggings ONLY had become very popular when I left Singapore in late 2007. Can't believe they still didn't notice that this is not a piece of clothing to be solely worn.

Well I don't see much change at all really over a period of 30 years, the maids still get accosted when walking down the street, the expatriates still get ripped off, because they are expatriates, and wives are still humping who they want to hump, because hubby is too busy humping the maid. the only thing that has changed big time, is that Singapore used to be an exciting place to live, now it is just normal, but safer!

Mind you the majority of expats know very little of Singapore and what it has to offer, I see little change from the 70's other than visual development, and touristic requirements, surely your friendly taxi driver can help you out.

[littlegreenman]

Good point. Try going for a hike at Bukit Timah Hill. Never seen a foreigner there although it is beautiful.

[wnyw]

I think in Asia, men are generally more chauvinist than those in European countries - probably because of a more "Easternised" culture, AKA conservative?

I've lived in Indonesia for some years and I know that Indonesian women are surrendered to the mercy of their husband. Majority of them have no say in finance, final major decisions are to be made by their husbands. Their husband may have mistresses, but they can't get divorce as they'd go through social discrimination, etc.

Some of my Indonesian male friends would degrade women who are "second hand", means not virgin any more. These Indonesian men would want to marry virgins although they are not virgins.

So... comparing to such extreme male chauvinism, I think SG is really ok when considering MCP conditions.

[LoriW]

Good point. Try going for a hike at Bukit Timah Hill. Never seen a foreigner there although it is beautiful.

And probably the same for most places that beloved and I go to - in fact we only tend to see school groups!

Anyway, this thread ........... fascinating! I feel as though I've stepped back some 40 years in time!!

I don't know anything at all about expat life in Singapore other than one evening out with my new boss and things I pick up on these forums.

Yes I do see huge numbers of inappropriately dressed young girls - then again walking through the rural town I live in in the UK I see that too!

However, my experience of Singaporean life is that of the locals, being of Singaporean origin. All my family seem to be pretty "normal" people - 2.1 kids, flat/condo/house, wife works part time/is a stay at home mum/ has a high flying career. If hubby humps the maid and wife humps anyone else, that's pretty discreet.

Women can go and sit in Starbucks and have a coffee alone and not get hassled (done that plenty of times myself). A lone woman in a trendy bar would be considered fair game (as is the case anywhere else I suppose - I would think twice before going alone to a trendy bar alone, but I'd go to my local and sit at the bar and have a pint quite comfortably)

Career-wise, I see Singaporean women - and foreign women doing all sorts from cleaning and childcare to CEOs and heads of departments.

IMO, "eastern style" chauvinism is imported by those from less "emancipated" countries but is not a part of Singaporean life per se.