Singapore Expats

I am considering a transfer to Singapore , and I would like to know what it is like overthere , regarding male chauvinism . Tks

Singapore is probably one of the most egalitarian countries in Asia.

That much said, I'll let the debate on what exactly that means commence

So , compared to Europe or the States ?

Well that's a bit difficult to say, given that within Europe and USA you can find places where there's not very much of 'male chauvinism', and places where there's loads of it! I guess it's a little bit difficult to get exactly what you want to know. If you're talking about men hassling you on the street, there's not much of that. I'm trying to think if I've even had anyone whistle at me or anything in the 5 weeks we've been here... and my mind draws blank (although I don't know whether that says something about them or me ). Sometimes they do look, but being blond I guess I stand out a bit sometimes.

So far I haven't really noticed any disrespectful behaviour from men over here. Having said that, I haven't started work yet so I don't know if it's any different there. Hope not!

That is very true ,it is very different everywhere.
But my point was more over the emancipation of women in Singapore

aletheia wrote:That is very true ,it is very different everywhere.
But my point was more over the emancipation of women in Singapore

You mean you have the impression that women are enslaved here?

jpatokal wrote:Singapore is probably one of the most egalitarian countries in Asia.

That much said, I'll let the debate on what exactly that means commence

Mr. Smarty Pants.


The way i see it, there isn't much male chauvinism here at all, Aletheia.
Women are allowed to vote, drive, wear pretty much whatever they want, can apply for the same jobs (bar construcion work as labourers but I'm sure that's not what you're coming for anyway)and are represented in all segments of society and work in jobs ranging from MPs in political office and CEOs of their own firms to general clerks and what have you. Add to that you're also in one of the safest first world countries in the world.

I hope that helps answer your question

Even though it does exist, it is not as obvious as in the western countries. Things are more laid back over here in terms of the chauvinism. As you may already know, Singaporeans are conservative and also modern at the same time adding to the complexity of its people.

Global Citizen wrote:there isn't much male chauvinism here at all

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha
REALLY GC ? ? ? Got your head buried in the sand ?
One of my former colleagues once dated a guy who'd buy movie tickets without asking if she'd like to watch that particular movie or even if she felt like watching a movie at all. Needless to say their relationship ended pretty quickly. I agree with vjsimon that male chauvinism may not be obvious in the work place but it still exists in varying degrees in people's personal lives where men still feel their womenfolk should behave in certain traditional ways . . . "

Global Citizen wrote:bar construcion work as labourers

Have you forgotten the samsui women already ? ? ?
"They were hired extensively at construction sites in the 1950s. They carried rocks, dug holes and conducted menial work that defied their small physical stature."
http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SI ... 01-18.html

hei guess what wrote:

Global Citizen wrote:there isn't much male chauvinism here at all

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha
REALLY GC ? ? ? Got your head buried in the sand ?
One of my former colleagues once dated a guy who'd buy movie tickets without asking if she'd like to watch that particular movie or even if she felt like watching a movie at all. Needless to say their relationship ended pretty quickly. I agree with vjsimon that male chauvinism may not be obvious in the work place but it still exists in varying degrees in people's personal lives where men still feel their womenfolk should behave in certain traditional ways . . . "

Have you forgotten the samsui women already ? ? ?
"They were hired extensively at construction sites in the 1950s. They carried rocks, dug holes and conducted menial work that defied their small physical stature."
http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SI ... 01-18.html

Why would you bring up Samsui women? that was a thing in the past and the question is about the present. At the present, there's no such thing.

In any case, in Asia everywhere there are ALWAYS certain degrees of male chauvinism, some places are worse than the others. But as JP said, Singapore probably is one of the most egalitarian on that aspect. Say, compared to Japan or Korea, for example.

hei guess what wrote:REALLY GC ? ? ? Got your head buried in the sand ? One of my former colleagues once dated a guy who'd buy movie tickets without asking if she'd like to watch that particular movie or even if she felt like watching a movie at all. Needless to say their relationship ended pretty quickly. I agree with vjsimon that male chauvinism may not be obvious in the work place but it still exists in varying degrees in people's personal lives where men still feel their womenfolk should behave in certain traditional ways . . . "

But one thing I find weird in Singapore is the existence of the opposite end of the spectrum: the guys traipsing around Orchard Rd with an "I'm doomed" look on their face, toting around their girl's handbag as she drags him from one boutique to another. How pussy-whipped can you get?

hei guess what wrote:

Global Citizen wrote:there isn't much male chauvinism here at all

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha
REALLY GC ? ? ? Got your head buried in the sand ?
One of my former colleagues once dated a guy who'd buy movie tickets without asking if she'd like to watch that particular movie or even if she felt like watching a movie at all. Needless to say their relationship ended pretty quickly. I agree with vjsimon that male chauvinism may not be obvious in the work place but it still exists in varying degrees in people's personal lives where men still feel their womenfolk should behave in certain traditional ways . . . "

Global Citizen wrote:bar construcion work as labourers

Have you forgotten the samsui women already ? ? ?
"They were hired extensively at construction sites in the 1950s. They carried rocks, dug holes and conducted menial work that defied their small physical stature."
http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SI ... 01-18.html

Obviously I can't speak for your former colleague's personal relationship and the company you keep or how some men behave in general in their personal relationships but the OP is thinking of coming here for employment and those are the points I addressed vis a vis chauvinism at the workplace.

As for the Samsui women, your point is irrelevant and moot as has also been pointed out by DWK. They don't exist here anymore and you need to get your head out of the sand!

I thank you all for your comments
Al

jpatokal wrote:But one thing I find weird in Singapore ...guys traipsing around Orchard Rd with an "I'm doomed" look on their face...

...and I thought it was only me noticing this....

Global Citizen wrote: The way i see it, there isn't much male chauvinism here

GC, are you 'here', I thought you were in Jamaica?

re your comment, it was not until I came to Singapore that I heard the acronym "MCP" used, and it's used somewhat frequently, so there must be some reason

I get lost with so many acronyms but , yes the use of it implies a bit of 'GCP' , right ??
So a TV show like 'sex and the city ' could have taken place also in Singapore?