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> After graduating, every citizen is required to do active service in the military. Nitpick: Men only. It's a common lament here that the men start higher education/work a couple of years later than their women counterparts, hence "losing out".
I read a lot about what's supposedly wrong with suburbia (the media and hollywood seems to view it as morally wrong), but I find myself drawn to the relative peace and slow pace they describe. I often think it's because of where I grew up.
To me, the author is making a similar move, though in the opposite direction. Life was too simple, too comfortable, and too polite in Singapore, and now he's had his full of it, and needs the opposite. I can relate, except I'm coming from where he's going, and I went to what he's trying to escape.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Nowhere in the article does the author blame this for the perceived issues he mentions. In fact from his tone, this seems to be a positive in the way Singapore has improved in modern terms.
that's my point. he doesn't acknowledge the most important factor, although it actually underlies many of his issues. "improved in modern terms" is very twisted language - perhaps you'd care to explain what you mean by this specifically
So he doesn't want to return to Singapore because everything went right in that country? People are never satisfied! He doesn't list a single problem except for suicide rates going up - which on a per capita basis is average when compared to the other countries.
No, this is the real reason from the article: "I describe my time living in Singapore as sterile. Nothing particularly bad happened but it wasn’t particularly good either. Daily life was convenient but it was only the bare minimum of living. I had everything I needed to be comfortable but I didn’t have anything that inspired me. Even though there wasn’t a language barrier, I encountered a hefty communication barrier.…
The fact is that in "international" cities like Singapore, London, Sydney, Paris etc people do work long hours and in their spare time often talk about what they are spending the majority of their life doing. It's completely natural and par for the course.
> After graduating, every citizen is required to do active service in the military. Nitpick: Men only. It's a common lament here that the men start higher education/work a couple of years later than their women counterparts, hence "losing out".
Edit: explaining the equalizing factor
> After graduating, every citizen is required to do active service in the military. Nitpick: Men only. It's a common lament here that the men start higher education/work a couple of years later than their women counterparts, hence "losing out".
I wish the Israelis or Swiss could come in to fix the Singaporean national service system. It is ineffective and inefficient -- the NS system produces a subpar military (the full timers are quite good though), and it provides very limited benefits to the individual. A shorter period of training, a competitive bidding process to get into elite units like Israel's 8200, and a longer term commitment with the same people…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Seriously? I agree with the OP. And I've spent quite a bit of time in Singapore when I was younger.
I found it incredibly stupid. Never return to Singapore because every day students declare pride in their country ? Great. Better not spend any time in the US, UK, Australia or countless other countries. Or do people think kids are just born with an understanding of the flag, anthem etc. And citizens are forced to spend time in the military. Okay that is a bit much but hardly unprecedented. And personally I find the…
Obviously, attitudes differ place-to-place. But I found your phrase somewhat bemusing.
I absolutely understand what the author was writing about - I really love this country - it's clean, safe, really clean, has really affordable food and incredible transportation system. The buses are actually worth using, and the people have been universally friendly. But, there is something missing.
When I go back to Canada, people live to do things outside of work. They go to the Abbotsford Apple Barn, Hang out at Stanley Park, spend an afternoon in the Vancouver Library, Head up to Cypress Bowl to go Snowboarding, etc, etc.. Maybe it's because there is more "space" - but I'm still trying to find out what it is that people in Singapore do, and why? So often, the answer I get, is "Go to the Mall" or, "Take my kids to tuition".
The country has accomplished incredible things with so few resources - the people are the only resources - and they've achieved a level of social and cultural harmony that really shows how poorly other countries are.
Perhaps I just need to spend a few more years to soak up the local culture and events - at the very least the hawker stands could keep me occupied that long.
I just spent a few days in Singapore with some western expat friends, and their local friends, and I really love the place for what it has accomplished. If you compare it to Malaysia (a racist command economy), Indonesia (kleptocracy , until recently -- in the past few years it has gotten a lot better) and Thailand (how many coups?), and remember how few natural resources Singapore has, it is even more amazing. I agr…