Discuss about life in Singapore. Ask about cost of living, housing, travel, etiquette & lifestyle. Share experience & advice with Singaporeans & expat staying in Singapore.
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nutnut
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by nutnut » Thu, 16 Aug 2012 8:44 pm
sensei_ wrote:nutnut wrote:Other than that, today I did a local trial of how not to be polite on the MRT, I pushed past people at the entrance to the escalator, pushed into the carriage and took the first available seat and pretended to go to sleep and then pushed my way off in front of everyone else, only to stop on the right side of the escalator and hold everyone else up. I must admit, after putting up with this kind of behavior for a few years, I still felt a little guilty, still can't fathom how these people don't!
actually do it more often, and maybe (not holding much hope!) the locals might see that you are mirroring their actions.
Good one Sensei! Somehow I doubt it though

nutnut
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Mi Amigo
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by Mi Amigo » Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:57 pm
Mi Amigo wrote:You're right about the cost of living increasing so much in recent years; in fact I was just mentioniong that in another thread. I also find that the 'ang moh markup' irritates me more the longer I live here. I try to frequent the same shops for specific items, but even so I still experience the shopkeepers talking amongst themselves and workng out how much extra they can charge me.
... And then, by way of counterbalancing... I've just had one of those marvellous 'breezing through Changi Airport in 5 mins from check-in to the lounge' experiences, which reminds me that there are still some damn good things about this place.
Be careful what you wish for
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sensei_
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by sensei_ » Fri, 17 Aug 2012 9:48 am
Mi Amigo wrote:Mi Amigo wrote:You're right about the cost of living increasing so much in recent years; in fact I was just mentioniong that in another thread. I also find that the 'ang moh markup' irritates me more the longer I live here. I try to frequent the same shops for specific items, but even so I still experience the shopkeepers talking amongst themselves and workng out how much extra they can charge me.
... And then, by way of counterbalancing... I've just had one of those marvellous 'breezing through Changi Airport in 5 mins from check-in to the lounge' experiences, which reminds me that there are still some damn good things about this place.
always remember, look at the bottom line. if you are in front in the long run, then no worries.
FYI there is also the asian markup for asians in western countries. so it goes both ways
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sundaymorningstaple
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by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:06 am
In western countries? or in Australia?
Most western countries have fixed price labeling even in wet/open air markets.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
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Segue
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by Segue » Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:21 am
Mi Amigo wrote:Mi Amigo wrote:You're right about the cost of living increasing so much in recent years; in fact I was just mentioniong that in another thread. I also find that the 'ang moh markup' irritates me more the longer I live here. I try to frequent the same shops for specific items, but even so I still experience the shopkeepers talking amongst themselves and workng out how much extra they can charge me.
... And then, by way of counterbalancing... I've just had one of those marvellous 'breezing through Changi Airport in 5 mins from check-in to the lounge' experiences, which reminds me that there are still some damn good things about this place.
I travel a lot and yes, Changi Airport is the best in the world in my opinion. Its a joy to go there and always processes are so efficient.
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nakatago
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by nakatago » Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:15 am
Segue wrote:Mi Amigo wrote:Mi Amigo wrote:You're right about the cost of living increasing so much in recent years; in fact I was just mentioniong that in another thread. I also find that the 'ang moh markup' irritates me more the longer I live here. I try to frequent the same shops for specific items, but even so I still experience the shopkeepers talking amongst themselves and workng out how much extra they can charge me.
... And then, by way of counterbalancing... I've just had one of those marvellous 'breezing through Changi Airport in 5 mins from check-in to the lounge' experiences, which reminds me that there are still some damn good things about this place.
I travel a lot and yes, Changi Airport is the best in the world in my opinion. Its a joy to go there and always processes are so efficient.
I'm just glad they're turning the Budget Terminal into Terminal 4 and budget flights moving into Terminal 2. I was starting to think they do profiling of who to make go through the customs scanners in the Budget Terminal.
"Oh, you're brown but you flew in from a neighboring third world country? Scan your bags; we want to make you sure you're not smuggling anything."
"You're brown but you flew in from a Western country? You're good to go."
#whybecauseimbrown
#racismwherethereprobablyisnt
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."
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the lynx
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by the lynx » Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:20 am
nakatago wrote:Segue wrote:Mi Amigo wrote:
... And then, by way of counterbalancing... I've just had one of those marvellous 'breezing through Changi Airport in 5 mins from check-in to the lounge' experiences, which reminds me that there are still some damn good things about this place.
I travel a lot and yes, Changi Airport is the best in the world in my opinion. Its a joy to go there and always processes are so efficient.
I'm just glad they're turning the Budget Terminal into Terminal 4 and budget flights moving into Terminal 2. I was starting to think they do profiling of who to make go through the customs scanners in the Budget Terminal.
"Oh, you're brown but you flew in from a neighboring third world country? Scan your bags; we want to make you sure you're not smuggling anything."
"You're brown but you flew in from a Western country? You're good to go."
#whybecauseimbrown
#racismwherethereprobablyisnt
Or "You're brown but you flew in accompanied by a white chick? You're good to go."

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sensei_
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by sensei_ » Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:44 pm
sundaymorningstaple wrote:In western countries? or in Australia?
Most western countries have fixed price labeling even in wet/open air markets.
AFAIK here down under. substandard quality being sold off, trades people acting dumb after substandard work is carried out (e.g cabling work not carried as per cabling law, timing belt not changed despite having paid for it, and even collected the $0.30 that was somehow added on the end due to rounding).
its part and parcel of having a foreign face in someone else's land. so to those expats who feel like they are being ripped off, all i can say is, it happens elsewhere too.
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quidsin
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by quidsin » Tue, 29 Jan 2013 3:27 pm
ok, ok, I'm back!!!
Saw something at the weekend that warrants a mention.
Out in Parkway Parade Shopping centre, they have a samaritans booth collecting used clothes for charity and they then give you a receipt to redeem a $2 parkway parade voucher from the Customer Service desk. I kid you not, the queue for $2 voucher snaked for 50 meters - why oh why for just $2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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rajagainstthemachine
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by rajagainstthemachine » Tue, 29 Jan 2013 5:16 pm
nakatago wrote:Segue wrote:Mi Amigo wrote:
... And then, by way of counterbalancing... I've just had one of those marvellous 'breezing through Changi Airport in 5 mins from check-in to the lounge' experiences, which reminds me that there are still some damn good things about this place.
I travel a lot and yes, Changi Airport is the best in the world in my opinion. Its a joy to go there and always processes are so efficient.
I'm just glad they're turning the Budget Terminal into Terminal 4 and budget flights moving into Terminal 2. I was starting to think they do profiling of who to make go through the customs scanners in the Budget Terminal.
"Oh, you're brown but you flew in from a neighboring third world country? Scan your bags; we want to make you sure you're not smuggling anything."
"You're brown but you flew in from a Western country? You're good to go."
#whybecauseimbrown
#racismwherethereprobablyisnt
hahahahahaha
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rajagainstthemachine
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by rajagainstthemachine » Tue, 29 Jan 2013 5:23 pm
I find it a bit funny that people love to stand in queues here. case in point
being DBS/UOB/POSB ATM's - a huge ass line of 25-30 ppl
citibank ATM - 0
so since i had a citibank account i stroll past this huge line and then get my cash in under 60 secs and walk off leaving over 25 people wondering if this concept of zero queue exists
protip : I also discovered that citibank <-> hsbc <-> maybank < -> state bank of india <-> ANZ <- >standard chartered had linked up their atm's which means i could use my card in any of these atm's too.
I don't still get why people will stand in line to get into UOB/DBS/POSB atms when these other ATM's are near empty
#baffling
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sundaymorningstaple
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by sundaymorningstaple » Tue, 29 Jan 2013 7:03 pm
Raj, so why can't the queue for the MRT or Buses then!

SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
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Wesker
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by Wesker » Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:02 pm
Classic thread. I think I've found my safe haven to vent all things Singapore.
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rajagainstthemachine
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by rajagainstthemachine » Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:33 pm
sundaymorningstaple wrote:Raj, so why can't the queue for the MRT or Buses then!

I'm from India, we climb the roof of the bus if there is no space inside what will I know about queues?

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sundaymorningstaple
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by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 30 Jan 2013 6:47 am
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
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