Expats, do you think Singapore is that boring place?

[sundaymorningstaple]

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

that's what they tell people in prison.

[fitcher]

singapore is too small and the only thing which is appealing is shopping and food. that is unfortunately the appeal and pastime of local people here. it has nothing to offer , mostly concrete jungle. Elsewhere like Malaysia and Thailand, they offer nature and beaches and resorts as well . I think people are better off living elsewhere than Singapore is so damn boring.

[keinicke]

Do I find Spore boring - without buzz?
Sometimes sure, but maybe I'm a boring person since I've also felt bored all the other countries/cities where I've lived and/or visited frequently.

As someone mentioned Spore is likely best lived as an expat hub with frequent biz and/or leisure travels around the region, but still I'm sure many many locals will insist this is really their small little paradise on earth although perhaps some of them may have little to compare with

SG really offer quite a bit other than the obvious say the combination of city & village life all in one with pristine wild life thrown in for free!

For those who mentioned lack of late night clubs or eateries I feel you must be somehow mistaken as the number of 24h hawker centers etc are high while I can only think of a handful of clubs/pubs who make it until sun rise, but then again what time does UK pubs close again - 11pm?

Compared to other cities in the region Bangkok stands out as the real bore virtually shutting down all night life 1am or 2am although some eateries also are allowed to operate 24/7 there.

Now try to seek some 'buzz' on your average sunday in most european cities & you'll only encounter religiously 'closed' shops left right center & might have to go hungry to bed in case one was ill prepared

Sure SG might not be the perfect city to live in but for people happy with asian culture its one of the better choices over here in my opinion

Lastly perhaps most related to the males on this forum where else do you find legal brothels 'nicely arranged' as in Geylang lors LOL?
Government ain't all that stuck up that they cant find the least undesirable practical solution to a 'problem' now are they. Now las vegas ain't quite as practical as the odd sunday outing from most places in the US...

See you guys at the beach or in the jungle soon

[spoof]

Take up a ballroom or latin dance class with a reputable dance studio. once you get started, and mix around, life will never be boring again.

[Superglide]

but still I'm sure many many locals will insist this is really their small little paradise on earth although perhaps some of them may have little to compare with

There you go, spot on.

Now try to seek some 'buzz' on your average sunday in most european cities & you'll only encounter religiously 'closed' shops left right center & might have to go hungry to bed in case one was ill prepared

Again, spot on.

Sure SG might not be the perfect city to live in but for people happy with asian culture its one of the better choices over here in my opinion

for the love of god, I would not want to live in any other city in Asia...

Lastly perhaps most related to the males on this forum where else do you find legal brothels 'nicely arranged' as in Geylang lors LOL?
Government ain't all that stuck up that they cant find the least undesirable practical solution to a 'problem' now are they. Now las vegas ain't quite as practical as the odd sunday outing from most places in the US...

I can read you never made it to Amsterdam?

See you guys at the beach or in the jungle soon

You mean in Malaysia or Thailand?

[sourisso]

Sure SG might not be the perfect city to live in but for people happy with asian culture its one of the better choices over here in my opinion

i don't know what are you referring to exactly when you talk about asian culture, but if you remove the chinese walking around in the streets, i will soon forget that im in asia.

well of course if by asian culture you mean giant shopping malls and food courts..

[huggybear]

one thing's for damn sure.
japan feels like an alien planet.

[Addadude]

Superglide, my apologies for the very late reply. My work this week has ensured that I was anything but bored for the past 7 days or so.

You are very good at quoting from my post. But you seem to have problems comprehending what I said. At no stage did I say that all the activities I listed could only be practiced in Singapore. I merely listed a dozen or more possible pastimes and hobbies that one could take up in Siingapore to make sure that you weren't bored. Singapore is only as boring as you allow it to be. And you can be equally bored anywhere else in the world. Without going into a lengthy point by point debate with you, I'll just respond to a few points:

You mention that live music here is pathetic. Well it would be compared to London. But compared to other cities of a similar size? Certainly not. I can't recall when I last say U2 performing at my local in Dublin. (Though I did see them busking at the old Dandelion Market in Dublin 26 or so years ago.) Yes, Singapore is out of the way for most western bands but it is a major destination for Asian bands and singers.

The cost of booze on a night out here is too much? Try the prices you'll pay in London or Dublin city centre.

No Picasso or Chagall in the art galleries here? Sure. But there are important Asian artists that you've never heard of waiting to be encountered.

Can't find clothes to fit your lengthy frame? Well, my Significant Other has the same problem (but for opposite reasons) when she comes with me to Ireland.

My point about engaging in political debate was addressing another poster. And surely you don't think that any nationality in the world would welcome a foreigner making disparaging remarks about their government or political system? Of course they won't. Hop on a plane to Dublin and start bitching about the Irish government and system (and God knows it deserves bitching about...) and see how the average Irish citizen responds. As a foreigner, Singapore's style of government IS none of your business. If it really upsets you all that much, become a citizen and campaign actively. Or hop on a plane and fly to a country whose governmental style more suits your ideals.

BTW, if you are looking for extra long or extra large sizes, check out Mustafa's or the shops in the basement of Peninusla Shopping Centre. You should find what you want there and Peninsula Shopping Centre has some pretty cool brands.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Superglide, my apologies for the very late reply. My work this week has ensured that I was anything but bored for the past 7 days or so.

You are very good at quoting from my post. But you seem to have problems comprehending what I said. At no stage did I say that all the activities I listed could only be practiced in Singapore. I merely listed a dozen or more possible pastimes and hobbies that one could take up in Siingapore to make sure that you weren't bored. Singapore is only as boring as you allow it to be. And you can be equally bored anywhere else in the world. Without going into a lengthy point by point debate with you, I'll just respond to a few points:

You mention that live music here is pathetic. Well it would be compared to London. But compared to other cities of a similar size? Certainly not. I can't recall when I last say U2 performing at my local in Dublin. (Though I did see them busking at the old Dandelion Market in Dublin 26 or so years ago.) Yes, Singapore is out of the way for most western bands but it is a major destination for Asian bands and singers.

Won't comment too much on the music scene here as I don't go to concerts where you cannot stand up and dance and enjoy yourself. I would have to agree that it is a major destination for Asian Bands but then how many asian bands tour western countries? Western bands tour the world which includes Asia.

However, regarding the arts, it would seem in the news yesterday that Sotheby's Auction house which just finished up there Asian Art Auction here with a "record" sale, is moving to Honk Kong next years for their bi-annual auctions. The reason given was apparently that Hong Kong is one of three centres in the world for International Art (the other two being New York & London). They said that they only consider Singapore as a regional art centre and not really up to international standards. (Similar reasoning with musicians above?)

The cost of booze on a night out here is too much? Try the prices you'll pay in London or Dublin city centre.

No Picasso or Chagall in the art galleries here? Sure. But there are important Asian artists that you've never heard of waiting to be encountered.

Can't find clothes to fit your lengthy frame? Well, my Significant Other has the same problem (but for opposite reasons) when she comes with me to Ireland.

My point about engaging in political debate was addressing another poster. And surely you don't think that any nationality in the world would welcome a foreigner making disparaging remarks about their government or political system? Of course they won't. Hop on a plane to Dublin and start bitching about the Irish government and system (and God knows it deserves bitching about...) and see how the average Irish citizen responds. As a foreigner, Singapore's style of government IS none of your business. If it really upsets you all that much, become a citizen and campaign actively. Or hop on a plane and fly to a country whose governmental style more suits your ideals.

Go to the US. Check out the news on complaining foreigners in the country. The Hispanics have been doing it for so long that now most are protected by law and have laws in their favor even though they are illegal aliens. Go Figger!

BTW, if you are looking for extra long or extra large sizes, check out Mustafa's or the shops in the basement of Peninusla Shopping Centre. You should find what you want there and Peninsula Shopping Centre has some pretty cool brands.

Yeah, I did that. Found some good old Hanes briefs! Got 'em home and found out that yup, cut for larger butts but unfortunately also cut for indian built legs. The leg holes too small as they cater to the average birdlegs.

Also, all the Jeans sold over here like Levi's and such are cut for the Asian build. Even if you find yours larger waist size the jeans (slacks as well) are cut for the asian build. Or to but it another way...... The are very similar to staying in a cheap hotel.......No ballroom!

[Addadude]

SMS, my point remains that Singapore is far from being a boring place. I think it's fair to say that most of us expats don't come from major arts centres like New York or London. So it's not fair to compare Singers with a population of 4 million to London and its population of around 12 million. I know for a fact that there is a LOT more to experience here than in my home town of Dublin. I keep telling myself to get more involved with the local theatre scene here as I know many of the leading talents through my work and they are genuinely passionate about their work. (Naturally I fail miserably at getting up off my arse to do so...)

For those extra large size pants with more space where you need it, the basement shops in Peninsula Shopping Centre are pretty good.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Okay. I'll just put it a slightly different way. I don't claim that there is nothing to do here. There is plenty to "do". It's just so much of a sameness that it is rather "boring" at the end of the day especially after 25 years. I can remember when there were exciting places on this island but they have either torn them down or moved or renovated or otherwise sterilized them.

The whole country is now purely a product of the STB from the Merlion down. I guess the "artificialness" has gotten to me. I'm not speaking for others, only myself. I did NOT say the region was boring. Everybody seems to counter every argument on this thread about how they can go here and there. That's my whole point. We have to go elsewhere because Singapore itself if boring. Others have been using a different term called "sterile" for at least as long as you have been here (10+ years correct?). One has to leave the country to find natural excitement or character.

Maybe what gets in my craw is that if it's free, it's so crowded that you cannot enjoy yourself or it's so damned expensive it borders on the ridiculous (like concert prices).

Okay, Rant over.

[Superglide]

SMS, my point remains that Singapore is far from being a boring place. I think it's fair to say that most of us expats don't come from major arts centres like New York or London. So it's not fair to compare Singers with a population of 4 million to London and its population of around 12 million. I know for a fact that there is a LOT more to experience here than in my home town of Dublin. I keep telling myself to get more involved with the local theatre scene here as I know many of the leading talents through my work and they are genuinely passionate about their work. (Naturally I fail miserably at getting up off my arse to do so...)

For those extra large size pants with more space where you need it, the basement shops in Peninsula Shopping Centre are pretty good.

Try Amsterdam for arts and theatre.

About any city being boring: Sure, after some years it is all too common and the enthusiasm has changed to .... well, some sort of apathy.

Again, a sterile city this is imho, without any "buzz".

Damn, I am repeating myself!

[sprite]

Okay. I'll just put it a slightly different way. I don't claim that there is nothing to do here. There is plenty to "do". It's just so much of a sameness that it is rather "boring" at the end of the day especially after 25 years. I can remember when there were exciting places on this island but they have either torn them down or moved or renovated or otherwise sterilized them.

The whole country is now purely a product of the STB from the Merlion down. I guess the "artificialness" has gotten to me. I'm not speaking for others, only myself. I did NOT say the region was boring. Everybody seems to counter every argument on this thread about how they can go here and there. That's my whole point. We have to go elsewhere because Singapore itself if boring. Others have been using a different term called "sterile" for at least as long as you have been here (10+ years correct?). One has to leave the country to find natural excitement or character.

Maybe what gets in my craw is that if it's free, it's so crowded that you cannot enjoy yourself or it's so damned expensive it borders on the ridiculous (like concert prices).

Okay, Rant over.

I would agree, except that concerts are expensive everywhere these days. Nothing too unique to Singapore anymore. It's a cliche but it really is like Disneyland with the death penalty, or Asia Lite. Makes for a nice place to live with kids though, at least for a while.

[Arizona]

I go to work and on my way to my desk, I pass by Bob's desk, which incidentally has always been where it is since I got here.

I make my way to the pantry, pass the copy room, meeting rooms and more desks

everything is where they've always been.

Head for the fridge and lo behold
there are homemade muffins and cupcakes!

Which is different from what was in there yesterday.

Singapore's a little like that.

Look out for some treats and the mundane will turn into something

'unique'.

Just have to know where to look.

PS I hear they're renovating the office.Yipee!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Arizona,

I have to laugh at your posts. Seriously, they always put a grin on my face. Thanks.

But as I wrote somewhere a day or so ago, I am past the age where some molasses on my fingertips and a feather amuse me. The small mundane things? (don't have the time any more) My clocks running faster than most here.

But thanks for the always uplifting posts.