Singapore Expats

People and Social Culture in Singapore

Discuss about life in Singapore. Ask about cost of living, housing, travel, etiquette & lifestyle. Share experience & advice with Singaporeans & expat staying in Singapore.
Post Reply
User avatar
Barnsley
Manager
Manager
Posts: 2319
Joined: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 5:22 pm
Location: Pasir Ris
Contact:

Post by Barnsley » Wed, 24 Apr 2013 3:19 pm

BedokAmerican wrote:I agree with Hannieroo about how people will start conversations with you if you have a young child with you. I've found that to be the case when I'm with my 1-year-old because everyone wants to smile and wave when they see a kid that age. Now that I think about it, that's really the only way I've had conversations with locals.

Otherwise, when I'm by myself I usually don't bother unless I'm asking for directions or something like that because people usually have their faces attached to their cell phone screens. But oftentimes if I need directions, I try and approach someone official looking (such as a store employee, although they can't always help) because it can sometimes be hard for me to tell the difference between a local and tourist. After all, not all Asians are locals.

But come to think of it, asking someone for directions might be a good way to start a conversation.
Especially if they want to point you the way to Changi Airport :D

Only conversation I have had with anyone around where I live was in the Coffee Shop when they had a TV which had football on.

Sadly they took that out when the "noise" got too much ....... very sad as watching the footy with the guys at the coffee shop was a good integration tool.
Life is short, paddle harder!!

User avatar
taxico
Director
Director
Posts: 3333
Joined: Sat, 10 May 2008 6:05 pm
Location: Existential dilemma!

Re: People and Social Culture in Singapore

Post by taxico » Wed, 24 Apr 2013 3:34 pm

chrissg wrote:...Sometime I really want to have small talk with people that I usually met on train or bus station when go or back from office because i think people that we met almost everyday on station can be friends...
are you singaporean?

if you're not, would you do the above in your home city?

i know if i did this on the NY subway, i'll end up getting punched eventually.

Hannieroo
Reporter
Reporter
Posts: 999
Joined: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 6:04 pm

Post by Hannieroo » Wed, 24 Apr 2013 6:23 pm

Yes, I thought so, Lynx :D

I dunno, maybe the locals are off putting at times, I was surprised when a Japanese couple stopped me on orchard fir directions. But on the other hand today an older Chinese gentleman very kindly and patiently explained what coupon parking was, took me to buy them then showed me how to do it

x9200
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10075
Joined: Mon, 07 Sep 2009 4:06 pm
Location: Singapore

Post by x9200 » Wed, 24 Apr 2013 8:42 pm

There are many kind and polite around. This is just the average that knocks the score down. For this average I am always surprised how often it happens the drivers move the cars out of my way so I can pass through in the traffic jam.

bgd
Manager
Manager
Posts: 1684
Joined: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 4:09 pm

Post by bgd » Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:10 am

x9200 wrote:There are many kind and polite around...
Indeed. In forums like this people are more likely to write about negative experiences which can result in a distorted picture.

My experiences interacting with the locals here is generally positive.

User avatar
the lynx
Governor
Governor
Posts: 5281
Joined: Thu, 09 Dec 2010 6:29 pm
Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location:

Post by the lynx » Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:43 am

I'd think that to every new people here, there is a honeymoon period where everything, good and bad, can be taken with open mind. Usually the good will be put under magnifying glass of optimism. Honeymoon period is for one year or two. After that, these little things will be the deal-breaker; you either choose to ignore it or to get annoyed incessantly.

Having said that, I've met my fair share of nice and mean locals, as well as nice and mean expats.
Last edited by the lynx on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 3:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
sundaymorningstaple
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 40533
Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
Answers: 21
Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:45 am

'tis very true ^^^^ +1
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

User avatar
nutnut
Manager
Manager
Posts: 1858
Joined: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:20 am
Location: The Mainland....

Post by nutnut » Thu, 25 Apr 2013 3:52 pm

Start conversation like this:

Aiyoh, so busy lah, how can make 6 million when 5 million too much already ah?

Then you will surely have a great conversation, I do it when I have read my emails and have nothing to do in a taxi, goes down a storm!
nutnut

User avatar
JR8
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 16522
Joined: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:43 pm
Location: K. Puki Manis

Post by JR8 » Thu, 25 Apr 2013 5:06 pm

^+1

I say, Nut2's jolly well gone native! :o :lol:

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Staying, Living in Singapore”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests