It’s just dawned on me that I arrived in Singapore five years ago to the day. I thought it might be interesting to capture what I’ve come to like and dislike in this time.
Disclaimer: since I have been here this long, and plan to stay for the foreseeable future, you can take it as given that I like the place. Please don’t take offence at anything I write below.
The good
General courtesy of the people and feeling of safety/comfort you get here
The food, especially hawker centres and coffee shops
Public transport. The folks here really don’t know what they have.
The efficient way in which day-to-day stuff just gets done (so long as you don’t request anything out of the ordinary)
The gateway that Singapore provides to the rest of Asia
The climate
The bad
Singapore is fundamentally a dull place. Options for new things to do dry up very quickly.
Lack of live sport
Rubbish TV
The patronising local newspapers
The standard of written English
The climate
The curious
Singaporeans’ willingness to believe old wives tales and rumour-mongering
Singaporean driving, especially the unwillingness to give way ever
The obsession with branded handbags
Tuition centres
Chicken thigh meat
the National Day Parade
Singaporeans’ apparent inability to walk up stairs
Artist impressions of new condos
Home catered buffets
