Sadly, though, I expect most people to hold this view that we are some sad repressed people without legal rights and get frisked on our way to the Lee Kuan Yew Re-education centre[sup]TM[/sup] for illegal chewing gum. Government not too good at PR, as you can probably tell. Hoping it’ll change soon, though… (not bloody likely) Still, you have to respect LKY - the man basically built the whole nation from dirt, to the world’s busiest seaport and airport (not too sure if we’re still No 1, though), GDP per capita equal to Western European countries, life expectancy of 80, in the space of what, 35 years of independance? You gotta give the man credit.
As for the differences, well, the first thing that struck me about the UK was the alcohol consumption. And the smoking. I mean, Who drinking beer at 10am in the morning?! Yes, I see your hands, now put them down, please. The one that left the biggest impression was the anti-bush protest, however… I’ve never seen anything like that before, and likely never will again.
Bag-your-own groceries supermarket outlets. I was momentarily confused at to what, exactly, I was supposed to do. 
The number of people that smoke.
The number of pubs there are, and the number of people milling around drinking.
The amount of graffiti there is. Truly, I’m astounded. I’m living in central London, and there’s graffiti scrawled on just about every wall I pass by on my way to school. It’s amazing! There is minimal graffiti in Singapore, even in the slightly more run down areas, and here in the heart of the capital, there’s graffiti. And on the same note, vandalism, and theft. The number of homeless people on the streets surprise me as well.
The number of policemen on the street.
Free healthcare! For ME! And I’m not even a citizen!
The most striking moment I had here, though, was during the anti-Bush protest. I’ve never been in a protest before, and I likely never will be. It was just amazing to see all the people come out and speak out against something… I suppose it goes for the rest of the time as well, animal rights campaigners, religious street preachers, Hyde park corner - The willingness of people to speak up for what they think is right.
I’m not just talking about political speech, as much as it is curtailed in Singapore, but in other areas as well, like animal rights - never seen an animal rights campaigner in Singapore before - or even street evangelism. It’s not like it’s banned, mind you - I participated in a Church organised Christian themed play in public before, but it’s just the sheer volume and brashness here, the in-your-face of it all. I’m not used to that, and it’s a bit uncomfortable, but I suppose it’s better for the people and their beliefs… I’m not sure why it is, though.
