The bitter version!

Guess with break neck speed at all the Singaporeans are going at..there are a few trade offs..but i completely agree.. the service standards here need to improve.. maybe we need more filipinos? Hehehe... they're nice, sweet and hot.. i like them... Taxi Drivers are mostly old..lazy..or plain cant be bothered.. their attitudes need to be in checK.. perhaps the taxi companies could send them in for a re-tunining eh... The rude ppl you speak of.. are they mostly of a particular race or all the same? please elaborate..dont really mind the heat as i;m more of the sun and the sea kinda person...tho there're aren't any nice beaches here in singapore tho.. gotta get outta here for that... as for common sense.. i find most ppl here in singapore work like robots.. and dont foresee potential problems.. not so much of having common sense or not.. it's just abt the way they work.. would def be better..most singaporean would kick up a huge fuss and eventually get their way.. within the same day.... All said.. singapore is still a "fine" country to live in.. becareful of what you do.. big brother is always watching.. litter and you get fined big $$ laws here are too strict.. leniency seldom heard. you do the crime you do the time/fine/canning/hanging... houses are sky high.. cars are ridiculously priced.. is definitely not built for Singaporeans..you can only blame one body for that... great place to visit n go.. stay?? maybe not..

Amitakadony -

Totally agree, great place to visit and to "learn from"... signs with available parking spaces... AWESOME!

To settle... uhmmm, maybe not!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Amitakadony -

With respect to the rudeness, I have not been able to identify a particular group, is just "in the air"...seems like basic social skills are just not well groomed.  A shallow level of "shyness" or "fear" is often confused with been polite.  However, when most of the people slam a door in your face in an office or restaurant, 99% of the people do not say "Thank you" for holding the elevator door or just a plain "Thanks" while finishing a transaction; there is something wrong.

1. Rudeness - people push you while walking, slam the door in your face...and no apologies...yes, even in the nicest places.

I agree. I was thinking that gallantry in France was dying — if not already dead —, but it seems like this concept is unknown by many people around here.

2. WORST "Service Industry" EVER - ...no comments, on top of that, you have to pay an additional 10%, regardless.

Worst service industry? Could you expand your thoughts? I would say that — Asian style — waiters are really considerate: they come ask what you want fast, they come fill your glass, etc. Nevertheless it is true that as soon as you ask for something they're not used to they are lost.
Moreover, being used to net prices in Europe the taxes that you have to add to your tab are quite disturbing; however it is the customs in many Asian countries and not « better » or « worse » than the system I'm used to — it is only a matter of culture and usages.

3. Insolent (Arrogant) Taxi Drivers: will NOT help you with luggage or groceries... that is, if you are lucky and they don't dish you, because there is "too much traffic in the citylah".
However, if you book a taxi, man they arrive fast! Tumbs up.

I did not really have any problem with the personality of a taxi driver, however I do not take it often so my opinion has light foundations on this point. I have still encountered several times taxis not willing to take me because, as you say, they want the reservation fee.

4. Lack of common sense...everywhere

I cannot really argue with that point. I think it applies as well in the context of work.

5. Uber expensive

Alcohol and cigarettes indeed are very expensive — this is a political decision. The same applies to cars: in such a country you cannot allow too many cars, and raising the prices has always been an effective filter.

if you are from the US and you are looking for " I can't Believe It's Not Butter - Spray"

I know that I am biased but why would you want to get such a thing? More seriously you are talking about an imported product, and those are bound to be more expensive than where they come from.
Nonetheless I was really surprised about imported books: they are really cheap (more expensive than their country of origin, but only slightly). This is probably parly due to an advantage they have over « food »: they do not expire.

6. Atrocious heat - you sweat as soon as you step out of the shower...

I do not agree: I was afraid it would be way worse. Sure the first two months were kind of hard, but I think it is quite easy to get acclimated.
Moreover I am quite surprise that, as a Spanish, you think that Singapore is too hot. Of course the weather is humid unlike in Spain, but in my humble opinion it is easily bearable.

Central A/C for townhouses...apparently has not been discovered in Singapore yet.

Oh please! I hope that this will not happen. Putting A/C everywhere is an inconsiderate and — I think — dangerous thing. A/C pollutes a lot and only makes the weather hotter; moreover being accustomed to A/C makes you need it more: it is a vicious circle.
I often think that they are way too widely used. When I take a bus, especially a middle- or long-distance one to Malaysia I am cold during the entire journey.


The main reproaches I have to formulate against Singapore are, on the one hand, the lack of culture: it is pop everywhere and only pop, for music, movies, etc. Names such as the dreaded MediaCorp give me nausea. On the other hand, the strictness of the country is not in accordance with my political beliefs, both on the economical and social axes.

I totally agree with some of the points mentioned as I've experienced before... Rude, no thank you, robot like, no common sense, worst service skills

Oh by the way..most service providers like hotels, restaurants,shops already hired alot of filipinos. Get the drift?

I've had the complete opposite experience than the original author.

People are super nice and helpful, even in the shittiest of places. Before I came here, I read several similar reviews to this one and was scared but was pleasantly surprized.

Staff in the restaurants I visited could have been more attentive but overall were nice and polite and would come when called (unlike in many places in European countries I've visited or lived in).

Taxi drivers are also great and fun to chat with. Some do help with luggage or groceries, use them almost daily and have very good experience.

Common sense? In today's age it's hard to argue what common sense is since most people don't have it anymore. I would consider a DIY install of cable common sense and everything else lack thereof but people may disagree. I went to the cable store, signed the contract, picked up my cable box and modem and an hour later everything was setup and working. I don't have the patience to wait for 2 days for someone to show. It would also mean I would have to be home at the time they show up too. However, 2 days isn't bad. Same service you can wait for 1 or more weeks in the US, depending on the area and even longer in Germany or Austria.

Expensive it is but it seems if one is patient and buy when things are on sale, one can actually get a decent deal. This is one thing I agree on though, it's expensive.

And heat - I love it. I'm one of those who will certainly trade shoveling of snow at 5am in the morning for the humidity here.

For first month stay in here i already experience most of the things mention.Especially experience with the taxi drive who take you going around like don't know the direction and still asking you which way to take until need to pay more

In my experience (and this applies to any place, not just Singapore) the treatment you receive is often a mirror of how you yourself come across.
A person cheerfully asking questions and knowing the words "please" and "thank you" will be served much better than a grumpy lad demanding something.
In addition, a bit of understanding and consideration of the other's situation goes a long way. Most shop assistants and many taxi drivers are minimally trained and paid, thus cannot be expected to know their stuff better than you do, or be very motivated. The system might need improvement, but you cannot blame the individual for it!
Taking the above into consideration, I have encountered much less rudeness or deliberately bad service (and certainly less discrimination) here than in Europe.

beppi wrote:

In my experience (and this applies to any place, not just Singapore) the treatment you receive is often a mirror of how you yourself come across.
A person cheerfully asking questions and knowing the words "please" and "thank you" will be served much better than a grumpy lad demanding something.
In addition, a bit of understanding and consideration of the other's situation goes a long way. Most shop assistants and many taxi drivers are minimally trained and paid, thus cannot be expected to know their stuff better than you do, or be very motivated. The system might need improvement, but you cannot blame the individual for it!
Taking the above into consideration, I have encountered much less rudeness or deliberately bad service (and certainly less discrimination) here than in Europe.

Like sor609, I think beppi has made a fairer judgement here. More often than not, a foreigner comes into the country expecting hell alot. But what exactly is your benchmark. Instead of being, or pretending or that matter, all "atas" (high class), shouldn't one be more practical and blend in the culture. Instead of mere complaining with so much discontentment.

Happypeg - Is very interesting your choice of words... "foreigners" being the key. There is certain "emotions" against "foreigners" in SG, which I believe influence the overall enviroment.  On the other hand,  expectations are based on previous experiences; hence, when someone is used to be treated nicely and in a corteous way, the least that you expect in return, is the same treatment.  For me what is really shocking is that in a country at is supposed to be so "fine", people are so angry inside.  However, being an expat here... I just savoir this experiences and carry them over to the next location...I really don't worry, since I now shortly I will not have to deal with those nuances anymore!

I don't know if any of you ladies experienced this;
Setting: Singapore public restroom/toilet  (even at high end malls like Ion)

As usual..You wash hands after using toilet (but shockingly many local still don't), just after you're done and dried, on your way out suddenly you got water splashed from somebody else. Imagine you got water splashed on your clothes, your face, your bag, and your shoes.

I just don't understand why singaporeans do not have common sense of using the automated hand-dryer or paper towel provided to dry their hands?? Instead... The bad habit is shaking/waving their hands up and down and splash the water everywhere...and the result;
1. The basin is all wet
2. The toilet attendant will have extra work to wipe the mess
3. People who walk by will get wet

I never experienced this annoying habit even when I was in any other asian countries (including china), but Singapore!!

^^^ Amazing which small things some people allow to ruin their day!
(I usually laugh and splash back.)

beppi wrote:

^^^ Amazing which small things some people allow to ruin their day!
(I usually laugh and splash back.)

On the same topic, they used to have a radio show in the US (New York City) where they would put a person in the toilet and he would announce when someone's leaving it and the callers would have to guess if the one leaving is a "washer" or a "non-washer". Surprisingly there was so many non-washers.
US was the country where I learned to use a napkin/paper towel when grabbing the knob on the way out of the toilet.
It happens everywhere. I've seen it over and over in Europe too.
I've seen even worse things in Europe which are probably too graphic to describe here.

Also, I'm surprized how many people equate money with knowing how to behave. Some of the most obnoxious people I've met were ridiculously rich.

Scientific studies have shown that in typical public spaces the floor (which usually gets wiped daily) is much cleaner than the door handles (which rarely get cleaned at all).
Yet people wouldn't eat from the floor, but don't hesitate to touch doors and food with the same hands.
Human actions are seldom rational.
In addition, ingestion of dirt and germs helps build up immunity and is thus good for health.
Enjoy the ride!

ncl09 wrote:

Happypeg - Is very interesting your choice of words... "foreigners" being the key. There is certain "emotions" against "foreigners" in SG, which I believe influence the overall enviroment.  On the other hand,  expectations are based on previous experiences; hence, when someone is used to be treated nicely and in a corteous way, the least that you expect in return, is the same treatment.  For me what is really shocking is that in a country at is supposed to be so "fine", people are so angry inside.  However, being an expat here... I just savoir this experiences and carry them over to the next location...I really don't worry, since I now shortly I will not have to deal with those nuances anymore!

Don't be too sensitive and judgemental over it. When I use the word,"foreigner", I simply mean foreigner. Words have no emotion. U add in the emotions. I'm working in china and that makes me a foreigner in the country too. Simple.

And of course, while I agree that expectations are brought along based on previous experience, you have to also consider the culture of the country or place you're in. And to me, that's common sense. See.. The point is, my common sense may not be your common sense. So it's very dependent on individual and you can't put your mould and expect everyone to behave like you or according to your likings.

O. By the way, A very big part of Singapore is make up of foreigners like your goodself. So when you say you're surprised that a "fine" country like Singapore has so many angry people, I'm surprised too. You seem to be more angry, choosing to use exclamation marks. While I suppose there are angry people everywhere, Singaporeans are generally friendly. Be happy, stay positive.

"Everybody is a foreigner - almost anywhere!"
(Karl Valentin, German Humorist)

Hmmm... I am not here to defend Singaporean, but being a frequent traveller myself, this same experience will happen anywhere. I got robbed in UK and mugged in US as well! serious! But this is not representative of all the people there.

As for the weather, take it that you are getting a good suana free of charge. Humidity here is very high! Get use to it.

Singapore is experiencing a severe population growth problems and so please do bear in mind also that almost 3 out of 4 people in Singapore is a Permanent Resident or foreigner working in Singapore!

.....Unless your experience is with an older citizen!

PM me, happy to show you the nicer side of Singapore. No Charge.

Ref : comments are made about Singaporean do this or dont this....(wash hands or not example)

How do you know they are Singaporean? Check their IC.  Well a person can be in Singapore for just 5 years previously from example China or India could also be a Singaporean now if they meet certain requirement.  (surely not based on the fact if they wash their hand or not)

Other Singaporean - study in Singapore when they are in the university or even younger they are not born here.

Some are born here but their parents are not....

There goes on and on...

Just my thoughts - You draw you owm conclusion.  What is a Singaporean now?

this is such an interesting read!

I only know that aircon is an issue for me and the planet I live in. I'm forced to wear a jumper or something when I'm in a mall, a cinema, an office or a cab to counter frostbite. Absurd.

For all the rest, I might agree partially only on the bad service given by taxi drivers, but I must say I've never taken a cab before coming to Singapore. All other arguments I believe are just a case of personal expectations and not generally agreable with.

I agree with ncl09 at some point. Like people push you while walking, no friendly face when they serve you, but I would not say WORST service industry, it's just not meet my expectation as in Indonesia, customer is a king and they serve customer very nice and friendly.

But that's Singapore/(an). It's their character and culture. I believe in western country like Europe, the attitude is similar or even worse due to their individualistic character. So, when we live in foreign country and there are things not meet our expectations, let our self to grumble (we have the rights to do that! Haa,..) but it's better if we learn to adjust ourselves to their culture/custom/policy, don't be judgemental. Sure, it sounds a bit cliche, but that's the right thing to do. Because wherever we live in foreign country we will experience the same thing, some form of culture shock in different ways. Not only in Singapore.

Bottom line is living in a foreign country will always give you a life-experience in a good/bad way, as what ncl09 have been said "another amazing life experiencelah"

Have a great week ahead everyone!

Hi ichaa,

Please note that this forum is quite old.

Regards,

David.