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10 things I hate about Singapore

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quidsin
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Post by quidsin » Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:31 pm

I'm back, but only to inform you all of another absolute mind boggling observation.

Now, in any western developed society, we all give way immediately to emergency vehicles. Now, the reason we do this is because someone could be dying so here's a refresher on what to do when you hear a siren from an emergency vehicle Singapore!

Fire Engines
These are normally red in colour and the largest of emergency vehicles, it has a loud siren which flashes and says FIRE RESCUE all over it. Always let fire engines through as they are probably rushing to put out a fire which your bro has started in your HDB estate (probably burning those bloody papers in an empty rusted barrel). You see, the quicker the fire engine get's there, the more you'll have to salvage from your burning apartment.

Ambulances
Probably the most important emergency vehicle to let through. An ambulance is white, not as big as a big red fire engine but also has flashing lights and a siren, it also has AMBULANCE written all over it. An ambulance is normally rushing to tend to seriosly injured persons or ship them to hospital for treatment, every second counts so if you don't want blood on your hands and can afford to wait for the next freebie at your local mall, then have a heart and think of others whose lives are at risk.

Police
Probably the least important of the emergency vehicles, unlikely you'll hear one with a siren on as apparently there is no crime here, so they say

:o

guyg
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Post by guyg » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 3:49 am

re MRT waiting for people to disembark: I actually wish they had those yellow marks in London for two reasons: i) tourists ii) the queuing... at stations like canary wharf people queue directly in front of doors which is also quite annoying if your getting off

However I am dreading trying to get a buggy on/off MRTwhen I'm back in Singapore

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nakatago
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Post by nakatago » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 8:39 am

guyg wrote:re MRT waiting for people to disembark: I actually wish they had those yellow marks in London for two reasons: i) tourists ii) the queuing... at stations like canary wharf people queue directly in front of doors which is also quite annoying if your getting off

However I am dreading trying to get a buggy on/off MRTwhen I'm back in Singapore
Similar lines exist here now. It's slowly gaining traction but as usual, people are having the hardest times discerning what they're for, if they notice them at all.

It's becoming common though for people disembark to assert their right of way, e.g. using a bag, an umbrella, a stick, their build, shouting "LET US THROUGH FIRST," kung fu, the force, fire-breathing, etc.

Like I said in another post, Singapore is getting there, albeit in baby steps.
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."

x9200
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Post by x9200 » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 8:51 am

quidsin, You failed in a number of points including the description of the fire engine. Go to Italy, the Western developed society and see how do they treat the ambulances. And taking into account the overall quality of the local road traffic I would say in Singapore they handle the emergency vehicles rather well.

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 9:11 am

Yeah, well, not much works as it's supposed to in Italy does it? In the US, don't get caught not giving way or you will get hung out to dry. Guaranteed.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by sensei_ » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 9:58 am

nakatago wrote: That's pretty arrogant of you.

1. I'd understand it if this were China, Hong Kong or Taiwan. But this is Singapore where English is an official language and is claimed everyone speaks it. And why not Malay or Tamil, if we're gonna go with official language?

2. Visibly pregnant woman on the ground. Obviously some sort of assistance is needed. If the person refuses it, it's her problem not yours.

Oh yeah....it's Friday.
How is it arrogant? Arrogant because im complaining about the subtitles being in a language that has a majority population *rolls eyes*

English is only one of four official languages in singapore.

And the chinese make up something like 75% of the population? if the malays and indians feel so discriminated maybe then can write into SBC.

Why must i take the risk of being abused/told off for being the nice guy? It little wonder why many s'poreans just ignore and feign ignorance as it is often easier than trying to be smart. You never heard of the locals saying "be clever, but not too clever"?

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the lynx
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Post by the lynx » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:10 am

sensei_ wrote:Why must i take the risk of being abused/told off for being the nice guy? It little wonder why many s'poreans just ignore and feign ignorance as it is often easier than trying to be smart. You never heard of the locals saying "be clever, but not too clever"?
"khiang, mai kay khiang"?

Moral obligations are not something that can be categorised to be smart-ass about. The Golden Rule still applies that you should "do unto others what you would them do unto you". If the receiving party abuse you or tell you off, it is just them being ungrateful and you are not the loser, the other one is.

Dude, you gotta re-check your priorities.

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Post by x9200 » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:17 am

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Yeah, well, not much works as it's supposed to in Italy does it? In the US, don't get caught not giving way or you will get hung out to dry. Guaranteed.
It looks like it maybe also the case here but I have never witnessed it. There are some situations where they do behave and hard to believe it is because of some deeper thoughts. Within this subject: hardly anybody dares to over take a flashing ambulance even in relatively neutral situations. Example, rush hours, highway, all lanes packed, the traffic moves with moderate speed, in the 1st lane is an ambulance moving with the trafic, flashing only (no signal). Hardly any motorcycle will pass it between lane 1 and 2.

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Post by sensei_ » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:42 am

the lynx wrote: "khiang, mai kay khiang"?

Moral obligations are not something that can be categorised to be smart-ass about. The Golden Rule still applies that you should "do unto others what you would them do unto you". If the receiving party abuse you or tell you off, it is just them being ungrateful and you are not the loser, the other one is.

Dude, you gotta re-check your priorities.
Yeah thats the one. I didnt know someone in the expat forum would understand the hokkien equivalent.

Here in singapore the rules are different, its about being the most selfish prick you can be. how many times have i tried to alight from the bus to have a sillyporean stand in the way as if they were a statue, so i use my massive crumpler bag, steel cap boots and shove my way thru. plenty of bruised shins and people who got a shock of their lives. not long ago there was one fat lady who actually fell down because she blocked the way, made no attempt to move, even when i gave a friendly "excuse me". same deal when it comes to MRT doors.

Another thing that annoys me is everyone is so kiasu to sit by the window its like there is a ghost or monster of some sort. maybe a local can explain?

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Post by davidcf » Tue, 17 Jul 2012 5:52 pm

COE is really high in singapore!

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Post by ABC2012 » Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:11 pm

Beg to differ on how it's a local trend to treat maids badly.

I have seen my share of foreigners treating maids badly too. Been house hunting and have seen how some foreigners made their maids sleep in the smallest room in the house with no windows/ventilation when they have at least one other bigger room with windows which then they use as a storeroom!!

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v4jr4
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Post by v4jr4 » Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:48 pm

nakatago wrote:And for an English-speaking country, why do practically all movies come with Chinese subtitles?!

:x :x :x
Ngahahahaha :lol:
quidsin wrote:8. The Weather
I know there is nothing they can do about this but I'll cover it anyway. Hot, hotter and even hotter - Wet, wetter, and even wetter. It's unbearable so get used to sweating and getting wet and consciously losing what time of year it is as it never changes, groundhog day!!
On the contrary, I like the weather in Singapore. It can't make you "sick" in an "evil" way. Reminds me about the weather when I go back to Jakarta. Pollution! :x

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Post by Brah » Thu, 09 Aug 2012 9:30 am

This thread wouldn't be this this thread without me chiming in.

Over the years we've had thread upon thread on these things, so I'm still surprised there is no sticky for it. Didn't someone have a list of 200 items that went viral for awhile? Well even so, somehow q's list is curiously refreshing. Perhaps it's because it's a fresh view on things we've become jaded about.

Among those missed was the ubiquitous disgusting one I saw yet again just last night:

Elder lady with shopping bags gets on the bus. Other older lady sitting in outside seat does the Singapore Twist, turning to force the incoming lady who wants to sit down, to have to squeeze by her, awkwardly, uncomfortably, and uncouthfully.

Thing is, this lack of class, basic humanity, common sense, decency don't even register with these people.


Just got back from travels to another Asian country. They don't do this there.


Did I just call her a 'lady'?

sensei_
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Post by sensei_ » Thu, 09 Aug 2012 9:52 am

Brah wrote:sitting in outside seat does the Singapore Twist, turning to force the incoming lady who wants to sit down, to have to squeeze by her, awkwardly, uncomfortably, and uncouthfully.

Thing is, this lack of class, basic humanity, common sense, decency don't even register with these people
singaporeans are a lost cause. i swear the next order for buses should just have a single row of seats since no one seems to want to sit by the window.

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nakatago
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Post by nakatago » Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:05 am

Brah wrote:Did I just call her a 'lady'?
You are being polite, like good boys and girl are supposed to behave. :P
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."

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