Strong Eagle wrote:Currymeister wrote:I've noticed a lot of threads to do with plastic surgery, liposuction, face reshaping, you name it.
Why are poeple here so image conscious?
Surely there are more important things to spend money on? It's not all about outwardly appearance. Unless you're from Hollywood and have more money than sense.
I hope that the current crop of youngsters don't pick the wrong role models and aspire for the wrong things. Life shouldn't be easy, it's a hard road. The end goal is not about the goal, it's about the journey, that build character.
Reading between the lines, I think they might.
In every aspect of life, I think they see the end goal and work out the shortcut. Maybe that's why I don't see much character here.
The result would be a fake nation with no real substance to it.
I hope this place doesn't turn into a California. Unless it already has.
I've been here for 4 months and I'm trying to figure out what's wrong with this place.
It has no scars, blood, sweat or tears to show. It's eyes glossed over, no twinkle, no age wrinkles.
I think this is a bullsh*t post... sorry Currymeister. I can't exactly see the difference between here and any city in the US or Europe. The young kids are sucked in by the need to have an 'image'. It's not the people, it's the bloody god****ed advertisers that are at fault... world wide... you find the same carp in Joberg and Capetown.
Actually, I do see a difference. Even with image consciousness the kids here are still better as a group when it comes to respect for societal norms.. I am not seeing binge drinking or violence amongst the young as I see in the US or the UK.
You have also generalized... not all people actually care about it... sure, some do... and Singapore consumer protection laws are not yet advanced enough to slow the sales of 'snake oil', but there are also many, many Singaporeans out there that ignore the blather.
End point: This nation is no more "fake" than any other, and in some respects it has its sh*t together far more than most nations. There is character, much of it good. Take off the blinders, man... and see the bigger picture. Hey, even California is just a stereotype... only a small percentage of folks are 'Californian'.
I think you do make some good points SE. Pity about your crass, childish comment up front.
The problem with one pointing the finger at advertisers is that we are all born into a world of temptation, it has existed from the birth of time, advertising is just another form. As human's we have to learn to resist temptation in all walks of life, I truely believe that's what builds a man's character. The very first story of mankind is about temptation is it not?
I believe in protecting the weak and there has to be regulations, but we have tools to overcome - education, values, virtues.
I haven't generalised, I didn't say 'all people'. Just to clarify I was referring to my observation that it seems to be an unusually high amount of people looking to take the easy route through life here.
My point about California, was perhaps, a throw away comment, so I take yojur point on that.
I think the youth here certainly do have their 'shit together' as you so eloquently put it, but I think that's a function of the overly strict no-tollerance regime here.
I don't think that's a bad thing and it's probably relevant in this country.
In fact truth be told, they should consider doing the same back in the UK to put the unruley youth back in their place.
But that's all digressing from my main point, which was simply that i felt there was something missing here, possibily soul. I have spoken to a numer of new expats who feel the same.
However, I enjoy it here and as I said, I'm hoping it proves me wrong and that more time spent here will shed a different light on the place.
Or maybe as SMS said, it will come and go, which is fine. I don't think I'd find anywhere on earth that could satisfy every mood, 100% of the time.
