Expats, do you think Singapore is that boring place?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Not boring. It's what you make of it IMO.

So, a little molasses on your fingertips and a feather can keep you occupied for days huh?

[sourisso]

depends what you need anyway.

if you are satisfied with the very restricted, controlled access to culture (movies, music, books, etc), the restricted possibilities of "getaways" of the city, well basically if all you care about is your job during the week, and looking for a nice shirt / new bag in malls followed by the usuals "letsgoforamoviesaturday" / nice dinner / drinks during the week end, (lets resume by "earning money - spending money") well then you may not find singapore that boring indeed.

[PetiteTadpole]

ive just did two visits on the sud france whch part did u went?? would be interesting to venture next time....

PT

well, im french, i just spent my holidays back in france in Paris, then in the south of france, then in my smaller home town... then came back here and on the first day back, asked myself what should i do.. didn't see much things to do except walking in shopping malls..

of course you can go on a malaysia island for week end sometimes, but well, you can't do that every day...

you say, dont compare to Paris, London.. ok... but smaller towns in uk or france are completely different from there too, when we go out there we are not just walking in giant shopping malls.. life there is just very different.. ok im not talkin about depressive villages in the country side..

of course "singapore is very easy" like the cab driver told me once, but not very exciting after a while.
what do you do apart workin and eatin ? people dont ever participate in political life, you cant drink or eat there and there, can't touch your gf a bit without auntie to stare at you for decades, you can find only movies or music approved by censor... "life of brian" from monthy python is BANNED here ! , CCTV on your ass everywhere...i find some singapore people so childish sometimes.. anyway only because of movies and music censoring you are missing a lot of things already..

of course posivite points around too, i like it. or at least, its different and i accept it. but its a fact that i have to give up a lot ot things.

so, yeah, singapore is good for business.

[sourisso]

i have (well, my family have) a house in a private domain between sainte maxime and port grimaud... its in front of st tropez (in front mean other side of the sea). cote d'azur, on the sea.
lot of tourists and nothing much to do apart swimming and enjoying the sun (wich can be rare in france especially this summer, if we can call it summer) but it was a nice relaxing break after a week in paris.
i took my gf there since she never came to france or europe before that.
and i could show her where the shop "l'occitane en provence" come from

and you where did you go ?

[PetiteTadpole]

ok i rest my case...

indeed its kind of a "golden" wish list of mine!! St tropez is everyone's paradis i must say. but sometimes, i hope you don't mind me saying this, its just my personal opinion, people and the ambience there can be a little superficial, its a well-to-do place but i just don't find myself there!!
on the other hand, why not, there's no harm going but im still hunting for a more cultural defining places. I went down to Montpellier (Le Caylar, St guilhem) then Aureille, les baux de provence, superb historical ruined castles. olive trees, huh i love them to bits. Camarque (is that how you spell it sorry if typo) St marie de la mere that is wholesome. i did horse riding at Lake salagou too and wow i enjoyed it loads. & Sete is good...real good! My greatest art inspiration is the cemetery.

on previous years i went to cannes, i find the people there bit cold. thats life...

well thats about it for this year! perhaps on next year trip, i have yet to plan, perhaps you have any idea in mind you might what to give some pointers. in sg we lack of cultural places of that kind extremely, so yes blame the Tourism board & those who planted annoying looking shopping malls. tell me more if u can, lonely planet are just guides so i rather hear from word of mouth, hands on...im desperately need to absorb more culture & nature, that makes me smile as i always say im a traveller not a tourist!

sante
nb:ur gf is another lucky person to enjoy france at its best! lucky lucky her

i have (well, my family have) a house in a private domain between sainte maxime and port grimaud... its in front of st tropez (in front mean other side of the sea). cote d'azur, on the sea.
lot of tourists and nothing much to do apart swimming and enjoying the sun (wich can be rare in france especially this summer, if we can call it summer) but it was a nice relaxing break after a week in paris.
i took my gf there since she never came to france or europe before that.
and i could show her where the shop "l'occitane en provence" come from

and you where did you go ?

[PetiteTadpole]

i agree on that note, i was disappointed too this summer, rather cold and too windy, i guess you pack some pull overs too? glad i did!!

i have (well, my family have) a house in a private domain between sainte maxime and port grimaud... its in front of st tropez (in front mean other side of the sea). cote d'azur, on the sea.
lot of tourists and nothing much to do apart swimming and enjoying the sun (wich can be rare in france especially this summer, if we can call it summer) but it was a nice relaxing break after a week in paris.
i took my gf there since she never came to france or europe before that.
and i could show her where the shop "l'occitane en provence" come from

and you where did you go ?

[sourisso]

totally agree on st tropez superficial point, i won't go there often and to see all those people dressing and acting like movies stars makes me just laugh, and its becoming worse now, lot of new shops oppened, hype shops for clothes and stuff... wasnt like this when i was kid...

still a good place to see in st tropez is the citadelle, on the top of the hill, with really a nice view, and you won't see the snob people there because you have to walk a bit and its climbing, and its more a cultural place, so the snob people wont care much about going there as there is no gucci bags. the view there is really nice.

indeed for cultural and visit, the "inside" of provence is much more interesting than the coast direct on the sea because the beaches are full of tourists, also more interesting than nice or cannes... montpellier is nice and active on culture...

well if you want an idea, you may try Avignon if you didnt yet, its a bit more inside the country and far from sea but its very famous for culture events, there is a festival every summer there in july and its very active. if you go there, take a tickets for a event that place in the old castle (former palace of the popes), its really nice.

also if you wanna change a bit, the west coast is nice, the sea is more agitated since its the atlantic ocean but the landscapes and beaches are much more larger and beautiful than the south. you may find large beaches with nobody around. near arcachon.. but not arcachon itself as it will be full of tourists. thats more for nature than culture, if you want culture, well, there is a region full of old castles...

but hmm maybe we can talk about that somewhere else as it wasnt the purpose of the topic send me your email via PM or something

[Superglide]

... the west coast is nice, the sea is more agitated since its the atlantic ocean but the landscapes and beaches are much more larger and beautiful than the south. you may find large beaches with nobody around. near arcachon.. but not arcachon itself as it will be full of tourists. thats more for nature than culture, if you want culture, well, there is a region full of old castles...

And quite decent wines and food as well around the Bordeaux and Dordogne area...

[Addadude]

"Singapore is a boring place." It's a very common complaint about thisplace that you'll hear a lot of - from both expats AND locals. But I don't think it's valid. ANY PLACE can be boring (with the probable exception of Sumatra at the moment...) if that is your mindset.

The people who complain about Singers being boring must lead incredibly busy, active, dynamic and exhausting lives back home. But they can lead equally exhausting a lifestyle here.

Let's look at a list of things you can do here: Travel around the region cheaply (Try travelling around Europe cheaply...); Shopping (Obviously); Pubbing; Live music; theatre; poetry readings; music lessons; archery; bowling; pool; gym; dragon boat racing; learning to scuba dive; learning to fly (requires $$$ obviously); bikini watching at the beach (okay, not exactly great beaches...); swimming everyday; water skiing; jet skiing; windsailing; sailing (requires $$$); museums (not great but there), art galleries; excellent public library system; learning martial arts; wine appreciation; part time study; charity work; learning Malay, Chinese and Tamil; learning European languages; DIY; studying tropical botany and wildlife... There's more than enough there to keep you has active as you want to be. Go for it!

Please, less of the bollox about not being able to partake in active political discussions. You probably didn't do it back home and Singapore politics is really only Singaporeans' business.

[sillingw]

Addadude, I couldn't agree more - I have lived in UK, USA, Europe and Africa, now have lived in Singapore for 2 years, I think personal circumstances can make a major difference (money, family, car etc..) but I'd like to offer two thoughts:

1: Three other couples that we are freinds with lived here for some time (>3 years) and decided to move elsewhere (1 to Shanghai, 1 to UK, 1 to Netherlands) all have since moved back and are very happy to have done so. Not that the other countries are bad, just that they are happier here.

2. Once you have lived in more than one country/culture, you tend to remember the best parts of them, combine them and look for the place that has all those "best bits" - It does not exist - there are positives and negatives to every country I have had the pleasure of living in.

I love it here and at this stage, have no intention to leave - I live out of the city and spend relatively little time there, I will not reiterate addadude's list, but we have done many of those things and will continue to do so.

So do I find Singapore boring - No

[Superglide]

ANY PLACE can be boring

Agree, any place CAN be boring.

Let's look at a list of things you can do here: Travel around the region cheaply (Try travelling around Europe cheaply...)

No problem at all bro, with Ryan Air, Easy jet and a few other low cost carriers I can fly around Europe for even less money than going to Ho Chi Minh with Tiger here. So no difference.

Shopping (Obviously)

Sure, hearing things are out of stock, only few items available lah, so sorry lor, dun have. Try get a decent jeans, when 1.88m in Singapore.

Pubbing; Live music; theatre; poetry readings; music lessons

You have got to be kidding. Pubs charging you 20 bucks for a beer, live music??? Ever seen decent bands perform here? Music festivals with U2 and alike? Theatre??? Mainstream commercial musicals, often sung and played by Asian actors because the original actors would not bother to come here.

bikini watching at the beach (okay, not exactly great beaches...)

Not that I am into it, but believe me dude, in Europe bikini watching is waaay more fun.

museums (not great but there), art galleries; wine appreciation

Well, you mention it yourself, not exactly many exhibitions with Picasso, Van Gogh, Chagall or other modern art available.

Wine appreciation, that's a good one! 99.99% of the staff here has no clue about wines, the prices are insane and all being served is mediocre commercial stuff from (no pun intended) Australia.

Ever went ot the chateaux in France for some wine tasting? Try it and compare it.

learning European languages

uhm... yes, you have a point here, that one cannot do in Europe...

Please, less of the bollox about not being able to partake in active political discussions. You probably didn't do it back home and Singapore politics is really only Singaporeans' business.

I was about to mention it; politics in Singapore.

Your last sentence says it all, the typical local who cannot take any criticism on his beloved little red dot.

No need to defend yourself bro, we do not attack you so much.

In all honesty, a good try of yours to sum up all activities and opportunities.

The point is, it is about the sterility of this place, the lack of engagement, the lack of "buzz".

It's good to love your country and be proud of it, it seriously is.

But just live with the fact others find it boring, dull, non-inspiring.

No worries.

And I bet those favoring this country over others in Europe or alike, they love the safety here, they would not come here for the "buzz" or the wine appreciation I am afraid.

[joegymfit]

wow....never expect such gracious contribution of comments from you guys. thanks. now...most of the comments are on the landscape, lack of activities & natural beauty as well as the high cost of living..

what do you guys think about the daily lifestyle and behaviour on the streets then? for example, inside the MRT train, or bus, or walking on streets such as Orchard Rd?

In MRT trains, do you think the gossips of a group of students or individuals too loud & disturbing? i myself get irritated by frequent loud ringing tones and some weird commuters who allow their mobile phone to ring for a longer time before they answer the call.

do you realise the range of variety in almost all shopping malls are the same? and almost all cinemas are showing same movie at same time? even fashion is kind of standard....almost all ladies in Orchard dye and rebond their hair straight...though now, every one seems to wear the bob hair style. everything seems to be so standard!

what do you expats think? (again i remind i wish to hear from expats, not local singaporeans). thanks.

[sundaymorningstaple]

joegymfit

Why don't you just do a search of the various forums on this site. There is plenty of grist for the mill as it were. This is easier that starting a we versus them thread all over again and again. Believe me, if you find a thread that is 6 months old or 1 year old or 2 years old it won't make any difference because there hasn't been any improvement in the 25 years I've been here listening to the annual month long courtesy campaign. After the 30 days is over and the banners come down everybody that did try (a few) revert back to type. No sense in rehashing the same old-same old.

[huggybear]

excellent deconstruction superglide.

[huggybear]

Not boring. It's what you make of it IMO.

that's what they tell people in prison.