# So I'm in Singapore right now **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 8, 2014, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617 "2014-07-08T07:01:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/21 "2014-07-10T04:20:58Z")
Colour me jealous! I was there in January, stayed with some Chinese friends. As always, enjoyed a special meal prepared by her Mom. We are so not worthy!šŸ˜ƒ If you donā€™t like shopping or eating, check out the zoo, itā€™s one of the best kept in SE Asia. The Bird park is worth seeing, and there are a couple of great museums if you like that kind of thing. If itā€™s weirdness youā€™re wanting do visit Har Paw Villa, but it can be very hot there, better for a cloudy day. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/22 "2014-07-10T05:05:23Z")
Get the fried noodles. Everywhere else they are called Singapore Fried Noodles. ha ha, Iā€™ll be here all week, folks. hope your daughter feels better. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/23 "2014-07-10T05:38:26Z")
Have you picked up the [Singapore Pass](https://www.ducktours.com.sg/sp.php)? We did, and it pays for itself. You can get it at the tourism office on Orchard Road or just go to Suntec Center where the bus tours start and get it there. The bus tours are relaxing ā€“ double-decker and so air-con down below if youā€™re wanting that. Includes the goofy amphibious Duck Tour, which was fun, and a river cruise on the Singapore River. That might cool you off. Includes entrance fees to quite a few museums. Recommended. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/24 "2014-07-10T07:50:37Z")
We did some great walking tours of little India and WWII sites. It sounds like maybe your daughterā€™s bug is affecting how much you get to see the city. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/25 "2014-07-10T08:53:07Z")
Balestier is probably not the right place to be if youā€™re a first time tourist, IMO. How did you end up there? It is, however, a bit of a foodie paradise. Not that itā€™ll help you, but the bak kut teh in the area draws CROWDS. [HungryGoWhere: Food Reviews, Trends, and New Places in Singapore](http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/founder_rou_gu_cha_restaurant/) What kind of things do you like? Museums? Might be good to get out of the heat by visiting the Asian Civilisations Museum, if thatā€™s your thing. Itā€™s right by the mouth of the Singapore river, across the bay from Marina Bay Sands (which features lazer shows at night). Weā€™re running up to national day celebrations, so you get to see fireworks displays on saturdays as well. Evening stroll along the Singapore River is a very touristy thing to do, you get to see the Merlion, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/26 "2014-07-10T08:59:16Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Anyway, here are some random observations Iā€™ve made about Singapore: > > - People are _everywhere_. The traffic is incredible. The drivers are very aggressive. Iā€™d say weā€™re rather nice for the region of the world weā€™re in, actuallyā€¦ šŸ˜‰ > [@](#): > > - Weird napkin policies at restaurants. Either the restaurant will not provide a napkin at all, or they will charge you for one. This sounds like a chinese restaurant. Itā€™s a holdover from ā€œnapkin serviceā€, same as ā€œtea serviceā€. Itā€™s like a cover charge, basically. > [@](#): > > - When parking your car, you must back in. My sister-in-law says itā€™s the law. Thatā€™s not true. However, when taking your driverā€™s licence, everyone is taught how to reverse park, whereas parking head in is not taught/tested. So most people go with what they know. I actually find it rather difficult to park head first. > [@](#): > > - Tea is usually served in glasses, not mugs. Sounds like chinese tea? Itā€™s not uncommon in chinese restaurants. > [@](#): > > - People donā€™t make eye contact when they pass by each other. I donā€™t know you! Why are you looking at me! ---
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/27 "2014-07-10T09:07:43Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Just out of curiosity, why does the absence of fat people bother you? > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I donā€™t think he said it bothered him. He said it was just an observation. It being Singapore, Iā€™d be ready to suspect that being fat was a capital offence. Much of what I hear about Singapore, I find off-putting: it seems to be run in a Draconian way, with a whole host of things (some truly trivial) forbidden, with harsh punishments for them. Iā€™m far from being a hippie; but feel that Singapore would give me the creeps, and I would not want to go there. A high degree of order and safety, but at what a priceā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/28 "2014-07-10T09:09:41Z")
I go to Singapore constantly for medical and other reasons. As much as I love Indonesia (where I live now), it is a breath of fresh air by comparison. Food in Singapore is hands-down the best ever. If you donā€™t want to go all chi-chi and make reservations at a place like Chijmes, then walk into just about any low-key restaurant you can see from the street, and plop yerself down.Hard to imagine your experience wonā€™t be exceptionally tasty, unless you do something dumb like choose Hooters (Clark Quay) or McDonalds (various locations). Sentosa is expensive but pretty cool, if you have the sense to pick out the good attractions like the aquarium, and go there by cable car. The zoo? Extraordinary, especially if you have little kids in tow. Jurong Bird Park? Well, maybe not worth repeated visits, but one or two, sure. The science museum? Weeelllllā€¦the upkeep could be better, but it still rivals anything Iā€™ve seen in the continental US. The botanical gardens? Excellent, and huge enough to be worth more than one visit just to see it all. Singaporeā€™s national museum? WOW. I have learned so much by my repeated visits there, especially by attending the interesting lectures that are often held. I donā€™t know what your beef is with Singapore. I cherish every moment I spend there. And I have no idea what you are complaining about in terms of congestion. Take public transit or a readily available taxi (with no tipping for drivers, and you can pay credit card - talk about easy). Nightmares are New York City, Houston, Boston, or even Washington DC. Not Singapore. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/29 "2014-07-10T09:20:26Z")
> [@vontsira](#): > > It being Singapore, Iā€™d be ready to suspect that being fat was a capital offence. Much of what I hear about Singapore, I find off-putting: it seems to be run in a Draconian way, with a whole host of things (some truly trivial) forbidden, with harsh punishments for them. Iā€™m far from being a hippie; but feel that Singapore would give me the creeps, and I would not want to go there. A high degree of order and safety, but at what a priceā€¦ Regardless of that image, which a lot of people who have never been there do get, the wife and I find it a very relaxing place. Weā€™ve never seen anyone being beaten in the street by police or anything like that. But if you donā€™t think Singapore is for you, you might not care for Asia as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/30 "2014-07-10T10:49:17Z")
Yeah, Iā€™m always amazed how few pice I see there. Mostly the general public seems to keep an eye out. I saw a guy litter and three people started giving him shit at once. ---
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/31 "2014-07-10T11:41:11Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Regardless of that image, which a lot of people who have never been there do get, the wife and I find it a very relaxing place. Weā€™ve never seen anyone being beaten in the street by police or anything like that. But if you donā€™t think Singapore is for you, you might not care for Asia as a whole. Iā€™ve been to India, and to China (PRC) ā€“ liked both, in a ā€œchalk-and-cheeseā€ way. China being (supposedly) of the Communist persuasion, Iā€™d expected as ā€œgoing with the territoryā€, regimentation and strictly-enforced rules and regulations. In the event, I found China in some ways, surprisingly and pleasingly anarchic. There clearly are, as per this thread, a fair number of positive aspects to Singapore. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/32 "2014-07-11T00:25:47Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Balestier is probably not the right place to be if youā€™re a first time tourist, IMO. How did you end up there? My wife wanted to save money, so she booked us in a cheap hotel. The rooms are _ **incredibly** _ small, and itā€™s a 20 minute walk to the nearest MRT. Yesterday we went to Gardens by the Bay and the mall at Marina Bay Sands. It was quite amazing, I must admit. Iā€™ve tried to enjoy myself here, but I just canā€™t seem to do it. I know I sound like a brat, but this place just isnā€™t for me. Singapore is basically one big shopping mall. I guess Iā€™m a bit unusual ā€“ I hate shopping, I hate cities, I hate crowds, I hate touristy stuff, I donā€™t care for museums, etc. I just want to be home working in my barn. I also think part of the problem is my mother-in-law. Sheā€™s a bit of a control freak, and we go only where she wants to go and eat only where she wants to eat. The rest of us are passively tagging along, day after day. I told my wife yesterday, ā€œI was thinking about taking our middle daughter to the Hard Rock Cafe tomorrow for dinner. But I donā€™t want to upset your mother.ā€ (Sheā€™s Chinese. Her mother _only_ likes Chinese food, and we eat at the same place every day.) Perhaps I would have a better attitude if I could decide where to go. In all fairness, it _ **is** _ an amazing place in many respects. Iā€™m an engineer, and the civil engineering feats theyā€™ve pulled off are quite amazing. The subway system (MRT) is unbelievable. But I still want to go home. ā˜¹ This place isnā€™t for me. Am counting down the hours. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/33 "2014-07-11T00:56:02Z")
The Hard Rock Cafe isnā€™t bad, actually. My favorite thing on the menu is actually the chilli crab. šŸ˜ƒ yes, Hard Rock Cafe Singapore has chilli crab, and itā€™s pretty good! Sorry to hear about your experience, but if you donā€™t like cities, well, thatā€™s what Singapore is , basically. šŸ™‚ if you have any freedom left, you could try macrichie nature reserve, itā€™s a nature trail around a water reservoir, not crowded and lots of nature. The jungle trails in the botanic gardens might be good too. ---
**Author:** ![Charley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@Charley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charley)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/34 "2014-07-11T01:00:28Z")
Cheap (for Singapore) cocktails too. OK, reasonably priced cocktails for Singapore. It is a fine city, but 'tis no barn. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/35 "2014-07-11T03:12:22Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > My wife wanted to save money, so she booked us in a cheap hotel. The rooms are _ **incredibly** _ small, and itā€™s a 20 minute walk to the nearest MRT. > > Yesterday we went to Gardens by the Bay and the mall at Marina Bay Sands. It was quite amazing, I must admit. > > Iā€™ve tried to enjoy myself here, but I just canā€™t seem to do it. I know I sound like a brat, but this place just isnā€™t for me. Singapore is basically one big shopping mall. I guess Iā€™m a bit unusual ā€“ I hate shopping, I hate cities, I hate crowds, I hate touristy stuff, I donā€™t care for museums, etc. I just want to be home working in my barn. > > I also think part of the problem is my mother-in-law. Sheā€™s a bit of a control freak, and we go only where she wants to go and eat only where she wants to eat. The rest of us are passively tagging along, day after day. I told my wife yesterday, ā€œI was thinking about taking our middle daughter to the Hard Rock Cafe tomorrow for dinner. But I donā€™t want to upset your mother.ā€ (Sheā€™s Chinese. Her mother _only_ likes Chinese food, and we eat at the same place every day.) Perhaps I would have a better attitude if I could decide where to go. > > In all fairness, it _ **is** _ an amazing place in many respects. Iā€™m an engineer, and the civil engineering feats theyā€™ve pulled off are quite amazing. The subway system (MRT) is unbelievable. > > But I still want to go home. ā˜¹ This place isnā€™t for me. Am counting down the hours. I really think you need to find the aforementioned Brewerkz on the riverside and quaff a few of those cheap(-ish) afternoon beers for an attitude adjustment. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/36 "2014-07-11T03:17:23Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I really think you need to find the aforementioned Brewerkz on the riverside and quaff a few of those cheap(-ish) afternoon beers for an attitude adjustment. šŸ˜‰ Would \*love \*to, but I think it would upset my (control freak) mother-in-law. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/37 "2014-07-11T03:21:50Z")
You could push the old broad into the river. ā˜¹ ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/38 "2014-07-11T06:07:49Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > You could push the old broad into the river. ā˜¹ Have certainly thought about it. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/39 "2014-07-11T06:44:56Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Have certainly thought about it. šŸ˜‰ Dun do that - you will get arrested for a) Littering b) Murder has mandatory death penalty ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617/40 "2014-07-11T06:48:48Z")
On fatness and Singapore - being fat is a HUGE sin hereā€¦ My 10 year old had to go visit the hospital for being dangerously overweight, and get a letter to be cleared for physical activity. The school made the appt without notifying, advising or checking with us first (I thought it was a dental appt) How heavy is she? 48 kg, at 1.3m Her activities a) weekly swimming lesson - 90 min b) Twice a week Wushu lesson (she is in the school team) - 90 min each time c) Weekly TKD lesson - 90 min d) School PE - 2 hours a week Then I take her jogging when we have the chance - once or twice a week, four km each time [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-in-singapore-right-now/692617.md?page=3)