JR8 wrote:I'm always torn between being amused and amazed attending official Singapore functions where the locals try and wangle invites for the entire extended family, neighbours etc (nope, not kidding).
People around the world have different ideas of boundary and the way they bond with another. A recent Singaporean biz event invited members' family, set up a kid's corner and offer free buffet for all. The speaker was the Asian Pacific director for Exxon Mobile. It was a nice touch as it can be hard to get a baby sitter especially if you don't have deep roots in USA. I invited an American friend with an interest in Asia. I was surprised he was admitted as I did not RSVP for him and did not show up for event myself.
Both my sisters combined their families, along with my mom too, on their last vacation to Japan.
My cousin coralled her other 3 siblings and their kids into joining the same church. One studied in Hawaii and the other in USA and both returned to SG to be with the family. That's their way of keeping the next generation of families together after their parents passed away. There are many Singaporeans who like to incorporate and involve their friends and family to do activities together .
My family went on vacation to Hawaii and S. California with another family. It is not for everybody. One has to be flexible and willng to accomodate the querkiness of the other family clan. I need to get my sushi fix but the other family does not enjoy it enough to justify the cost. I like Asian food but that is not their food of preference. They like fast food wheras I prefer cook-to-order meals. My daughters don't want to do it anymore due to play dynamics with the other child. Overall, I believe it is beneficial for them. We are a nucleaur family with our extended families living far away. Our kids don't get a chance to experience interacting intimately with people outside of the immediate family. We are too centered on catering to their wants and needs. There have to be some kind of balance so they understand the world does not revolve around them.
I am planning a vacation to Asia for my family and I invited a very dear American bachelor friend to come along. I will be very happy if he join us for I like doing things with other people. People that I click with, of course! I don't like loneliness. Suburb lifestyle is hard on me and I get depression. The heavy emphasis on privacy, boundary and making sure you don't bother your neighbors too much.
Having yummy leftovers in the fridge means that I'll have less to cook the next day (and possibly the day after that as well!). 
