I’m in Singapore right now, in the middle of a 3-day stay. I researched quite a bit beforehand including speaking with a friend who was just here a month ago.
I took all the precautions including not bringing in any prohibited items and making sure I have my prescription and OTC pills in the original bottles.
Nobody at the airport passport control asked about such things – it was all automatic with passport scanners and thumb printing – and nobody searched my bags.
I didn’t see anybody being pulled aside for spot checks either.
Anyway, in my day and a half here so far I have learned that some of the Singapore stereotypes are unfounded.
For example I was told never to jaywalk. Well, I’ve seen a few people do that and they looked like they were locals. I never crossed against the light, either, but plenty of people did.
I never littered, I never do, but others here have: there were plenty of trash items in the bushes along side the sidewalks I was walking down. The major streets were clean, but I saw an average amount of litter elsewhere.
I did not see a lot of police officers, which I expected to see.
All of the observations I just listed go against the Singapore stereotypes.
On the other hand, I have not seen any graffiti and the subway was spotless.
Have other Doper visitors to Singapore experienced the same dissonance with the stereotypes that are so prevalent?
I love Singapore. The food is amazing. Singapore is a complex place, the authorities cut people slack, until they don’t. You don’t have to worry about getting caned for chewing gum, or jay walking, but do not mess with drugs. That will get you killed.
There used to be a guide book called Mayan Sutra that listed all the best food carts in the city and do yourself a favor and have some chili crab.
I traveled to Singapore for work, and while I didn’t love the country (except for the food), I also didn’t see any of that stereotypical stuff. True, it was mostly pretty clean, and I wonder if some of the trash you saw in the bushes the stuff that blew loose from other areas. I really didn’t see much litter.
My big discovery there was their version of food courts (“hawker centres”), the very opposite in quality of what we have in the US. Man, did I eat some good food in those places.
I spent a few days in Singapore back in 2019, in part visiting a friend who lives there. He explained that these things like no gum are punished on a sliding scale. A first offense, or accidentally bringing some in are usually just met with a warning, and maybe a small fine. The more notorious punishments are reserved for repeat offenders who just won’t get the message.
My impression of Singapore was that it is kind of convincing that “A benevolent dictatorship is the best form of government.” I’m sure staying there longer would disabuse you of that notion over time, but damn, was it interesting to see how they were able to just decide one day to rebuild their entire city, and just do it. I compare that to the endless politics and NIMBYisms of my city, where it’s like pulling teeth to get anything new built*, and I’m jealous as hell.
*I’m turning 55 tomorrow, and we’ve been arguing literally my entire life about building a new bridge across the river, and we’re no closer to an agreement now than the day I was born.
I used to know a guy from Singapore. When he was born it was his parents’ dream that one day he would go to America, attend a University, and be happy.
To help him fit in, they gave him what they felt was a stereotypical American name…Lester. To this day he is the only Lester I’ve ever met.
A lot of Singaporeans will tell you that they have the right balance between freedom and security. It is very common to see women jogging alone in parks at 11 at night with no apparent fear.
They do have elections, but personal freedoms especially related to free speech are greatly curtailed. Society puts a great emphasis on following rules: one time I was in a cab and the car in front of him turned without signaling and he told me the whole country was going to hell, that never would have happened in the old days.
I used to go to a barber whose surname was Grbac; he was a cousin of then NFL quarterback Elvis Grbac. He told me that his aunt and uncle were immigrants from Czechia, and when they moved here, they decided to give their infant sons "American’ names, to help them fit in. So they picked two popular singers’ names. My barber said that in his mind, his cousin Elvis was the lucky one…compared to his brother Englebert.
I’ve been going to Singapore, on the regular, since when Changi was just built, and the land reclamation ended right there!
I love the place. But my uni roommate was from there, so I was lucky to just be absorbed into the everyday of their lives. She lived at home in Bukit Timah then, now married living in Woodlands, (very handy, so close the causeway).
Her Mom would cooks us feasts whenever we’d arrive, mmmm. I still remember. Back before Bugis Street was remade, Orchard Rd was half vacant spots, and the Satay club still existed. Sometimes the old Aunties would come by, teach me to swear in Chinese then howl with laughter.
I always had a great time, but I sort of had special access. My friend played in bands so it was a scene most wouldn’t really recognize as so S’porean. Lots of great fun and tons of great food.
When I go now, y’know, times always moving on, change, change, change. Last trip it was all facial recognition at the border crossing, there’s always something that’s kind of amazing, to be honest. (I have smuggled both chewing gum and pornography (Playboy! Haha!) into Singapore!)