Singapore

[tiggerblue10]

My reportee has just returned from a holiday in Singapore and she said its a totally different world to Britain. Apparently the streets are completely clean and if you drop litter you could be arrested. She also said that they don't allow chewing gum in the country so there are no gum blobs all over the pavements like here. Crime is also very low and you can leave your doors and windows open without fear of burglary. Not sure which part she went to but is it like this throughout Singapore?

[237SJ]

I don`t think it`s just throwing away the container sqad. The sign on the tube is for no consuming of food and drink. Still, it`s an interesting contrast with the local buses I get in LA where the sign is for "No Guns"

[Sqad]

237SJ...;-)

[tiggerblue10]

Oh dear 237SJ! Lol

[heathfield]

I've been in Singapore many times. While there are places in the suburbs were it could be unwise to go after dark, most of Singapore is very law-abiding. You'll see very few policemen on the streets in Singapore since they found that plain-clothes police are far more effective against petty crime. I've seen instances where letters of complaint in the local newspaper (the Straits Times) have been discussed in parliament the very next afternoon, and a law to correct a genuine grievance drawn up and passed within hours. What other country in the world can match that? A fine of $80 (£40) for not flushing a public toilet after you've used it. No food or drink on the subway, no smoking in a queue for a bus or taxi - these and other regulations are all designed to provide a clean and tidy living environment for everyone to enjoy. In general, I don't like cities. but Singapore is the one big exception.

[237SJ]

They`ve already thought of that Eddie. The loos in public places such as bars etc have automatic flushers so you couldn`t not flush anyway!

[ansalia]

Yes, Singapore is a City state with harsh (often physical) punishments for disorder and disobedience.

[R1Geezer]

so when are you off to this utopia tigger

[tiggerblue10]

Haven't made any plans to go R1G. Just said it seemed like a nice, clean place to visit.

Who are you referring to Bill?

[angepj1]

Wish it was like that here. Canada is also very clean. This must be the worst country in the world for yobs spitting out chewing gum and dropping litter etc.
Governments are far too soft in Britain.

[maclarencat]

When we visited Singapore I had heard about all these rules and regulations and was worried it would feel unwelcoming and I would be scared to do anything. Not so. It was fab. If you are a decent citizen with good manners and are considerate of other people (which we all should be anyway) then it does not seem Draconian. If you go to China town or little India it is far less sterile than the main tourist area. I loved it. Saturday night in little India is a sight to behold when all the men take to the streets to chat and buy presents for their families.

[TWR]

We stopped at the River View hotel a few years ago, you could have eaten your tea off the floor Tigger, Orchard Rd was an experience.

[tamborine]

You gotta see the new Marina Bay; its built high above 3 skyscrapers

http://www.marinabaysands.com/

[wildwood]

Due to the very high population density, the state has no alternative than to adhere to strict laws and severe punishment for hoodlum behaviour. There are plenty of state funded citizens' beneficial events and organisations that the tourists are unaware of, so even the working class has a good way of life, unlike in the UK and other Eastern countries.
Nobody has a gun to their head to keep them there. Anyone can easily move to Malaya.
The last time I was there in 1999 my 'taxi' was pulled up on two different occasions; once for being in the city centre without buying a ticket to do so, and once for turning from a straight only lane. Both times he only got a warning. Not exactly what you'de expect in a 'totalitarian' society.

[Buenchico]

Be wary of believing that everyone abides by the rules in Singapore!

It's illegal to both give and receive tips in Singapore, but (when I stayed there) I found that the bar staff in the hotel invariably 'forgot' to provide any change when I ordered at the bar. (It happened, with four different staff on four consecutive orders. I watched, and noticed that all six bar staff repeatedly 'forgot' to offer change to every single customer!).

Just because there are strict rules, it doesn't mean that everyone sticks to them!

[heathfield]

The airport is the only place where tipping is prohibited. Elsewhere, it is simply discouraged. Hotels and restaurants will normally add a 10% service charge to cover this. But, for example, taxi drivers have a fairly hard time in Singapore since the government issues licenses for over 25,000 taxis. This is intended to keep competition high and thus keep fares down. And it works. When I take a taxi, I'll usually tell the driver to 'keep the change', and I'll receive a genuine 'Thank you!' in return.

[Old_Geezer]

"How the Hell can you approve of rules that are of benefit to yourself and the community, yet object strongly if they were applied to yourself. ?"

I don't see that as being what has happened. The approval is for the decent behaviour rather than the rules, the disapproval is for the punishments meted out for over the top demands from the authorities to others or self. The 2 are perfectly compatible.

Folk not being subject to an oppressive regime yet still having excellent standards they choose to adhere to when allowed to think and act for themselves, is the ideal.

[joko]

"who are we to judge?" - we are people, humans...we have personalities, beliefs, ideal, ways etc, we are all different... i prefer to choose my own way, than be dictated to by some stuffy fools in offices, and live in fear of just being myself in case i get a fine...

having a clean city is not really something i choose to use as a benchmark to my lifestyle...i prefer to actually have some freedom