Swimming against the current.

[x9200]

I wonder, how many of the long stayers (say 4 years or more) are still fully faithful to their original values...habits...principles? Small, everyday things like using indicators on the road, having hand phone on silent mode during meetings, not picking it up starting conversation when somebody calls, being punctual and expecting the same from the others, talking only the proper English if a native speaker ...things like this. And if it got eroded then where and what? Are you already conditioned to feel strange, back in your country if somebody uses only one hand to hand something over to you?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Interesting.

But for me the answer is easy. Yes I've stayed true as I think it is possible and still manage to function here without driving yourself crazy in the process! I don't use Singlish unless it is being specific and it's the only way I can't make myself understood as I'm uncomfortable with it even now. It's still like a foreign language to me. I am able to switch between eastern protocol and western habits without problems and I still have a thing against tardiness and am never late (usually early which is often embarrassing to the host I know) They plan on lateness so don't serve dinner till much later! I rail at handphones not being turned to silent mode or off and have dismissed more than one employee from a meeting for not following my instructions. I have basically given up driving here but I find when I do I find myself occasionally walking to the wrong side of the car to get in!

[ksl]

5 years and as regimental as before! I feel like the best driver in the world when i am on the road, and the most courteous and aware! No Singlish in my house, not that i dislike it, but i believe those I know Singaporeans, need help to kick the habit for their childrens sake and they know it. My wife is always late and that bugs me too, becuase i am always 5 minutes early for important occassions.

[x9200]

For myself all holds as it should with some exceptions to the road traffic. On highways I ride my motorbike between the lanes as I found it safer and I jump traffic jams.

[gravida]

As not English native speaker, who came here with just basic English, unfortunately I am picking up Singlish not even knowing it

[Vaucluse]

Stayed true to the way I was before . . . with the exception to my driving habits.

One needs to adapt to certain things in order to survive . . . driving is one of them

[sundaymorningstaple]

Stayed true to the way I was before . . . with the exception to my driving habits.

One needs to adapt to certain things in order to survive . . . driving is one of them

Probably why I sold both cars back in 1991 and started taking public transport.

[boffenl]

Crack me up--I also think I'm the best driver on the roads. We have given up a few things: we rarely cook at home now, it's just too expensive. Plus, we never dry our clothes in the dryer. We also don't buy books like we used to although now that my daughter has a Popular discount card that might change. Other stuff I'm not sure--been here 3+ years and haven't had any dificulty going back "home" just really feel relief when everyone else on the highway acts like me.

[Vaucluse]

Stayed true to the way I was before . . . with the exception to my driving habits.

One needs to adapt to certain things in order to survive . . . driving is one of them

Probably why I sold both cars back in 1991 and started taking public transport.

Hence the fact that you have less gray hair than I do . . . smart move.

At least most drivers get out of my way when I'm driving the Fortuner . . . with Mrs Cluse' new car, however, that is not the case and I mentally murder at least a dozen people on each trip lasting more than three minutes

[irvine]

I have lost some patience

[beppi]

Four years here and you call them long stayers?!?
Just beyond the honeymoon, I would say!

Frank (who came in 1996 and is still as strange as before, just in a different way)

[x9200]

Four years here and you call them long stayers?!?
Just beyond the honeymoon, I would say!

Frank (who came in 1996 and is still as strange as before, just in a different way)

Honeymoon is the first 1.5y.

[Asian_Geekette]

I now consider anything beyond one hour of travel via public transportation (in Singapore) as far.

[macaroonie]

I guess the thing is we should take this time here and use it to pick up the good points from all cultures and societies and learn about and avoid the bad stuff.

Every experience is a learning experience. So for the good stuff i try and keep things the same as at home. Sometimes it is worth swimming against the current and other times it's not.