SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore

I'm sure some of these comments are good-natured fun-poking but given the number of times I've heard expats moaning about how "these people can't speak English!" (and from there it's only one small step to a colonial era-like "these people just aren't like us"), I have to quickly jump in. Despite wh...

HOME seem to be pretty switched on, but something else that seems to have been working recently is posting on the MOM facebook page. Of course then you're seriously exposing yourself (possibly one reason the MOM have a facebook page in the first place).

Just wanted to alert anybody out there who's interested that the government is conducting a public consultation on the subject of animal welfare laws: [url]https://www.reach.gov.sg/YourSay/EPoll/tabid/104/Default.aspx?ssFormAction=[[ssEPoll]]&pid=[[30]][/url] Most expats I know agree that Singapore'...

I would love to know the answer to this question too. I've looked in a lot of places but only found online providers of spread trading... i.e. they don't allow you to do an actual FX transaction, only to punt moves in FX. That or places like Change Alley which offer decent rates, but only in cash (n...

Note to self: read original post before replying next time. ](*,) Sorry about that. I will ask around, but there is a huge number of cats looking for a home (I have one myself on the adoption board of this forum, and the SPCA just got 75 (!!!) newly arrived ones this week) so the numbers might be wo...

I've just had a quick look around the internet and it seems there are no quarantine requirements for Brazil. Also, since Singapore is considered a rabies-free country, you won't need that vaccination. You do need to get quite a bit of paperwork sorted out, and one month is going to be tight, but sho...

A couple weeks ago USDSGD was 80 pips wide at Change Alley, so 1.27-1.278. Almost exactly the same prices at every stall (at most 1-2 pips difference), although some had enormous queues and one or two didn't (I have no idea why). Somewhat related, I am yet to find a single currency broker here. You ...

Also, there was a recent letter exchange with the NEA in the newspaper. The NEA's stance is that plastic bags don't harm the environment because they are re-used as rubbish bags, and we burn our rubbish (so they don't end up in landfills). Never mind that they also end up in the sea, that the produc...

I bring my backpack + canvas bag to the supermarket and the wet market and it's OK. Although when I do forget, I struggle like everybody else to convince the cashier (s)he can put more than 2 items in the same bag: "You really want your carrots and toothbrush in the same bag?!?!" "Yes, they're both ...

FWIW I'd agree with the distraction theory for xenophobia. I remember seeing an article in Today saying the Gahmen was consciously becoming more "populist." When I ask my Singaporean friends/colleagues about it, they'll typically start with something weak like "you guys don't know the real Singapore...

My experience is depressingly similar. They remind of slave traders more than anything else. I had asked for somebody who spoke good English and wasn't afraid of dogs, and got exactly the opposite. However, we were keen to make it work, and didn't want to get the lady fired, so after a while things ...

For the bit about cats: you are correct, they're not allowed in HDBs (for now - there are some pilot projects under way so maybe one day). I live quite far from work and my commute by bus or MRT is 30-45mins. I don't think anybody commutes more than that. Concur with what others have said on prices....

These guys actually came to our place for an interview! (a 2-way interview I guess)
So that was a good way to get to know each other.

Here are their names/numbers, hopefully I won't be deleted for advertising:
Nick & Hannah, 9856 1855, starshine inc pets (on facebook).

I've just used a wonderful couple during my last holiday. I was initially also looking for housesitters (there is a story behind this, it's not just me being unreasonable) but after meeting them decided there was no problem for the pets to stay at their place. They already have a small dog and a gol...

I get TODAY at my front door every morning, and there have definitely been many letters published blaming the following on foreigners: - rudeness of people, especially compared to HK - MRT crowded - MRT breaking down - MRT price increases (it was suggested that foreigners should pay more) - rising p...