Singapore Expats

Hi all, I wanted to find out more about how Expats celebrate kids birthday parties as compared to the locals:

Locals celebrate with a birthday cake and all the kids friends and their parents come for the party.

I went for a French friend's childs birthday party and found it very different. Instead of a cake, they had square shaped waffles and there were candles on it. There was no food around, except that the kids were busy doing colouring,painting and there was only nutella to eat with the waffle.

Is this the way Expats celebrate birthday party for kids or is there other ways. I just wanted more information.

Great Thanks !

fatmouse76 wrote:Hi all, I wanted to find out more about how Expats celebrate kids birthday parties as compared to the locals:

I was invited to a birthday party of an expat colleague's child's first birthday - the do cost them a cool 10,000 $ .. and the locals, they just bring the child over to office and then that's it .. and they have a little party - in Macdonalds or so .. not too fanciful ..

Its quite new to me to hear that local celebrate with a party (???) and i am hear more than 8 years!!

The locals just take their kid to a (chinese) restaurant with all the hunties/uncles/grannies...... and eat!

while expats actually do have a party with a cake, kids, candles, balloons..... and all the fun of party!

franchy wrote:Its quite new to me to hear that local celebrate with a party (???) and i am hear more than 8 years!!

The locals just take their kid to a (chinese) restaurant with all the hunties/uncles/grannies...... and eat!

while expats actually do have a party with a cake, kids, candles, balloons..... and all the fun of party!

me got invited to more than a dozen local parties, but, as I said, it was simple dos .. (maybe cos I am a comedian and the hosts wanted me to entertain .. But, as I said, it was the macdonalds / Pizza hut or so packages ..

I think you will find it's a mixed bag. Lots of locals also have parties, including theme parties. A lot probably depends on how traditional the grandparents are.

I would have thought it depends on the expats' cultural background. Where I come from we usually invite a bunch of children home to our house and then have cake and hot chocolate and play games. Reasonably simple but very enjoyable.

I have been to a few parties arranged by other expats here in Singapore of different cultural backgrounds to myself who threw very elaborate parties with loads of food for both children and parents (and alcohol for the parents!) and had entertainers, bouncy castles etc. etc. Personally I found that a bit over the top for a 4-year-old's birthday.

At the end of the day it's your child so I would just go ahead and arrange something that you know he/she would enjoy. My child does not enjoy noisy crowds so we just took him to the zoo for the day where he got to do everything he wanted and he had a wonderful day.

I'm local and in my circle we really celebrate parties. I have attended lots of toddlers/children parties in hotel ballrooms with giant bouncing castles and playgrounds, some at home, some at restaurants, once even at Rider's Lodge (free pony rides for all kids). Always with lots of entertainment like magicians, balloon makers and popcorn. And because locals are particular about food, there is always a buffet spread.

I just had a big do for my 4-year-old and invited a few expat friends, especially those in her kindy.

So those of you who never go to spectacular local parties, haven't really gotten to know the locals yet!

SOME locals can go all out--especially those with the extra cash to spend. But the vast majority of locals host a homebased celebration, either with family or close friends.

Please do not categorize all locals as crazy birthday party makers--this is simply NOT the case and you leave a very poor impression for expats here on the forum.

boffenl wrote:SOME locals can go all out--especially those with the extra cash to spend. But the vast majority of locals host a homebased celebration, either with family or close friends.

Please do not categorize all locals as crazy birthday party makers--this is simply NOT the case and you leave a very poor impression for expats here on the forum.

While pondering on the answer, you just saved me

Most often, celebration is a family dinner

Sorry, my mind is still boggled.

Can't imagine what someone new to the country would think when they read that post.

boffenl wrote:SOME locals can go all out--especially those with the extra cash to spend. But the vast majority of locals host a homebased celebration, either with family or close friends.

Please do not categorize all locals as crazy birthday party makers--this is simply NOT the case and you leave a very poor impression for expats here on the forum.

Just as you are categorizing most locals as stingy celebrators, I have a right to post my views and experiences. Do be respectful of others and not give expats a poor impression of locals. Your post is rude and offensive.

ladydimante wrote:Just as you are categorizing most locals as stingy celebrators, I have a right to post my views and experiences. Do be respectful of others and not give expats a poor impression of locals. Your post is rude and offensive.

There is a difference between stingy, and being careful with money .. or not ..

and likewise there is a difference between spending money, and showing off / extravagant ..

what's eating you anyway ????

boffenl wrote:Sorry, my mind is still boggled.

Can't imagine what someone new to the country would think when they read that post.

Anyone new reading that post would simply think that Singapore is made up of a diverse range of people. That's all. To think that LYING about how people celebrate parties here gives people a good impression is as stupid as thinking that most people have family celebrations just because they have never been invited to the nice ones.

ladydimante wrote:

boffenl wrote:SOME locals can go all out--especially those with the extra cash to spend. But the vast majority of locals host a homebased celebration, either with family or close friends.

Please do not categorize all locals as crazy birthday party makers--this is simply NOT the case and you leave a very poor impression for expats here on the forum.

Just as you are categorizing most locals as stingy celebrators, I have a right to post my views and experiences. Do be respectful of others and not give expats a poor impression of locals. Your post is rude and offensive.

You're right about having a right to express yourself. However, it baffles me that you find boffenl's post rude and offensive. What exactly makes it rude? She just said that most locals prefer to celebrate at home. I just don't understand why you were offended like that.

Please be careful with how you react as that's how a lot of flame wars here start. I would probably side with you but reading boffenl's post and given her history, being offensive is simply not there in her post.

-Moderator

ecureilx wrote:

ladydimante wrote:Just as you are categorizing most locals as stingy celebrators, I have a right to post my views and experiences. Do be respectful of others and not give expats a poor impression of locals. Your post is rude and offensive.

There is a difference between stingy, and being careful with money .. or not ..

and likewise there is a difference between spending money, and showing off / extravagant ..

what's eating you anyway ????

What's eating YOU? It shows poor upbringing to be rude.
Just because you haven't been invited to such parties doesn't mean they're not the norm for other people.