Singapore Expats

Just came across this full page ad in the paper day before yesterday for a Book lovers get together and related events at the public library. Some of these were paid events, however on reading the fine print it said you had to be a Singaporean or PR to attend! Just wondering if this is the norm here or something...I mean am already sick of seeing this on all the job sites anyways!

Normal? What is normal in Singapore? This country has the highest density of foreigners staying here in the world. How many jobs in your home country are advertised "foreigners may apply"? For that matter, how may jobs are available to foreigners at all in your country?

At least this way, you know up front which jobs or organizations you can apply to BEFORE you spend time, effort & money. Instead of railing against it, maybe thanking them would be better as it keeps you from going on wild goose chases. There's an interesting concept isn't it.

In your over enthusiasm to respond you may have missed that my post was about not being able to attend a book club get together-a paid event at that. When it comes to jobs the preferential treatment is justified-I understand that much. This, well, is different.

intellectualsmuse wrote:...I mean am already sick of seeing this on all the job sites anyways!

Not over-enthusiasm at all, it was your statement that I was addressing.

As far as the book club is concerned, they are free to choose whomever they want. It's their prerogative. However, I think is more just a general backlash against the overwhelming numbers of foreigners current in the country. Currently one out of every four people here - probably the highest density in the world. It's sad, unfortunately, but with the past couple of years of recession, it's probably understandable and we would probably have the same reaction in our own country as well.

There were other statements there SMS...sometimes you really make me wonder why you selectively choose what to comment on. Living to stir the pot is great, but stirring the pot for the sake of it... I dunno.

About the post, I guess I was just kind of disappointed about the entire thing but that's okay. Overall I've had a good experience thus far and the few locals I've met have been quite nice. Guess I'll survive

I say set up your own book club, I'd be interested to join. problem solved!

Well, about your initial post. I thought that was really strange and I'm suprised that they would be so bold to come out say they didn't want foreigners. That said, the few times I've attended the Singapore Book Council's book club, I noticed that while there are a lot, maybe even just as many of what I'm guessing to be locals there, it was the foreigners, of course, who spoke up and asked questions and offered comments. Maybe without them there, the locals would feel more comfortable, less intimidated?

Still doesn't excuse the rude "S'poreans and PRs only".

And yah, moderator, your comment was both uninsightul and kind of block-headed. This is a totally different issue than job postings.

Blinky wrote:Still doesn't excuse the rude "S'poreans and PRs only".

A library is a public service paid out of taxes. They have every right to limit the services to citizens and PRs, and doing so is no more "rude" than it is for a hospital not to subsidize your medical care. (Now, whether it makes any sense to limit who can attend a book club is another issue entirely -- might be better to give them a ring and ask about the policy instead of whinging here.)

So much for Reading campaigns, Kindness campaigns, etc campaigns, rite?

I feel for ya. Well, the good news is, there sure would be more than just one book club in this island if you're up to joining one. Although, the question here is more on the funny limitation of citizens and PRs in this thing. I would be fine too if they had said "for nlb members only". LOL!

But c'mon, why the exclusion of outsiders when it's a paid event? Not that foreigners would hog these events like some of them flocking to the casino.

irvine wrote:But c'mon, why the exclusion of outsiders when it's a paid event? Not that foreigners would hog these events like some of them flocking to the casino.

It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't advertise to everyone. It's just like during the times when I'd hear over the radio where a series of concerts (which are open to the public) would be advertised but one concert would only be open to only a particular group of people. Why bother advertise that one as well? Wouldn't it be cheaper just to remove that one concert from the advertisement instead of adding a line saying it's a closed event, knowing that radio ads are charged per second?

I think they do that just to rub it in outsiders's faces. Or spite them.

Now, replace "concert" with "book club."

jpatokal wrote:

Blinky wrote:Still doesn't excuse the rude "S'poreans and PRs only".

A library is a public service paid out of taxes. They have every right to limit the services to citizens and PRs, and doing so is no more "rude" than it is for a hospital not to subsidize your medical care. (Now, whether it makes any sense to limit who can attend a book club is another issue entirely -- might be better to give them a ring and ask about the policy instead of whinging here.)

Slightly off topic but my husband is on an EP and does pay taxes ( or will be paying this FY to be precise ) So don't think that argument holds. The only reason I was so gung ho about the whole public library thing was because one of the events was related to a topic of interest and they had invited some eminent speakers. Fee was $10. That said am over it now and enjoying other aspects of Singapore life

intellectualsmuse wrote:Slightly off topic but my husband is on an EP and does pay taxes ( or will be paying this FY to be precise ) So don't think that argument holds.

Come next year, your husband will have paid taxes for one year, while Singaporeans have been paying them since the day they were born...

Y'all are being a little hard on IM. She has made a valid point, she and her EP will pay taxes based upon working NOW, so its kind of hard to support the "they pay, you don't" argument.

The reality is that the people who set this up for citizens and PR only are SMALL. If there is an actual financial impact for allowing an EP/DP to attend, then account for it in the pricing.

I can think of one plausible reason, although I think it shouldn't have been capped at Citizens & PR's but could have included anyone on an employment visa. As it was in a public library, maybe the organizers (or the library staff) felt that too many books could go missing without any accountability? Just a thought.

Perhaps the event is intended to build a sense of community amongst a fragmented society.

Foreigners, on the other hand, come and go.