09/11-17-22, Singapore
09/11-17-22, Singapore
--
Say what? staying in Singapore for five days?? you nuts? or you're going to get bored by the third day...
Well, based from the first visit experience, it's not that bad la~~~
Indeed, Singapore isn't a huge nation, as people always said, it's a size of Taipei city, what fun can that be?
Yes, if you look from the physical perspective, the nation, or the tiny island of Singapore isn't much to brag about, the natural scenery and the tropical climate might not be the first choice for the mass...
Yet, when look more into the finite details, you'll be surprise how come this little island can have a status in the global stage, in the same arena as H.K.???
That, was my interests at first when deciding to explore Singapore.
Singapore and our family has a love/hate relationship, even though I never step a foot in this nation; we had many business connections since the early '90s, and there are many key persons we are aware of... well, if they still doing well here... not to mention I did had a roommate back in college that's from here as well...
So, I'm about familiar with this island as I know sinnglish, well, heard too much in the past...
In the last five days, the entire journey is like I return back to U.S., just with more Asian faces...
The S$ and U.S.$ is relatively equal, 1:1.35, so the pricing point look very familiar and no need to convert as much as say in China or H.K., yes, I'm just lazy....
The book stores sells English title books, the official working language is English, the public transit announce English first, then Chinese, Indian, etc..
So, is this a good thing??
In a nutshell, it helps a lot, for this nation to be on par with the Western world; removal of the language barrier do make business process much smoother than through a translator... this is also the reason you can see a lot of Western tourists on the street wondering around w/o aids...
Due to its small scale, the public transit is hugely convenient, just don't try to figure out the bus routing... the map is like a maze... I'm not sure if I can return to the same spot if wanted...
The street is clean, the air, well, in Nov., it rains... no, pouring rains... thus air quality is 'very' good... rid of the pollutions every day... that's a nice thing about rains...
The working attitude is positive in every corner, service is done with politeness and respects; it doesn't matter what they think inside, it's the 'at time' service people cares... try to tell that to the service sector in China then...
This founding trigger the thinking of, where is the overall best service attitude in the world as of now??
On average, people might say Japan, which I never step a foot there besides Okinawa as a child... hmm, next destination? =p
Therefore, what have I done here??
Basically, nothing...
It's a vacation~~ what more you want me to do?
Just hangout and walk around the streets, checking buildings, and hide inside the shopping malls...
Yes, shopping malls...
Apparently, this little island has tons~, tons~ of shopping malls... for unknown reason... and the irony is, 89% of the brand is, yes, Western brands....
As I cruising around from mall to mall, I just can't figure out why...
The reality is, there are only a limited amount of brands in the world, does it really necessary to duplicate the brands over and over in this little place?? Not to mention the price isn't cheap as well... unless it's sale season...
That's a mystery is currently copy over and over throughout the world, think Dubai, Shanghai, and Egypt...
In cultural expect, this little island is a true multicultural society, the blend of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, and Westerners... all live happily separately together in the same chamber... much more happier than U.S.... predominately maybe because there's no room to run away to....
Thus the Singaporean culture is a set of its own, with the Western thinking as its back bone and let the subculture expand to its capacity... Which the outcome facilitate its financial strength when dealing with Western countries... They might not be the best in Asia, but I would say it's the best alternative most Western companies would consider, and they did...
During my stays this week, there's a promotion of learning Chinese from the government, as its next phase to catch the China market, potentially...
Well, China market, it's the game you will not play well unless you're the Chinese and native in China... trust me...
--
In comparison with the old four Asian tigers in the 70/80s... Seoul is the only city I haven't visit yet, but I can imagine it's essence...
So far, I would say Singapore will rise faster among the four, if they can partner well with Malaysia...
H.K, is bond to get demoted from China, as the rise of Shanghai will capture all foreigners once China's new open policy works... if it works...
Seoul, the government/business bond is still tight and its nationalism should keep the city in high gear, yet, the living cost is way too high...
Taipei, well... I'm a native yet also a stranger to this city... it has potentials, but no leaders at all... sadden truth... yet, if you interested, this is the best place to play with... cause it has no rules...
---
International exposure is a way to see a city's strength and its potential, its service sector also hint the next decade of success to come...
I think, I'll need to revisit Singapore in the near future...
-TT
11/22/09 @ Changi Airport, Singapore.
--
Say what? staying in Singapore for five days?? you nuts? or you're going to get bored by the third day...
Well, based from the first visit experience, it's not that bad la~~~
Indeed, Singapore isn't a huge nation, as people always said, it's a size of Taipei city, what fun can that be?
Yes, if you look from the physical perspective, the nation, or the tiny island of Singapore isn't much to brag about, the natural scenery and the tropical climate might not be the first choice for the mass...
Yet, when look more into the finite details, you'll be surprise how come this little island can have a status in the global stage, in the same arena as H.K.???
That, was my interests at first when deciding to explore Singapore.
Singapore and our family has a love/hate relationship, even though I never step a foot in this nation; we had many business connections since the early '90s, and there are many key persons we are aware of... well, if they still doing well here... not to mention I did had a roommate back in college that's from here as well...
So, I'm about familiar with this island as I know sinnglish, well, heard too much in the past...
In the last five days, the entire journey is like I return back to U.S., just with more Asian faces...
The S$ and U.S.$ is relatively equal, 1:1.35, so the pricing point look very familiar and no need to convert as much as say in China or H.K., yes, I'm just lazy....
The book stores sells English title books, the official working language is English, the public transit announce English first, then Chinese, Indian, etc..
So, is this a good thing??
In a nutshell, it helps a lot, for this nation to be on par with the Western world; removal of the language barrier do make business process much smoother than through a translator... this is also the reason you can see a lot of Western tourists on the street wondering around w/o aids...
Due to its small scale, the public transit is hugely convenient, just don't try to figure out the bus routing... the map is like a maze... I'm not sure if I can return to the same spot if wanted...
The street is clean, the air, well, in Nov., it rains... no, pouring rains... thus air quality is 'very' good... rid of the pollutions every day... that's a nice thing about rains...
The working attitude is positive in every corner, service is done with politeness and respects; it doesn't matter what they think inside, it's the 'at time' service people cares... try to tell that to the service sector in China then...
This founding trigger the thinking of, where is the overall best service attitude in the world as of now??
On average, people might say Japan, which I never step a foot there besides Okinawa as a child... hmm, next destination? =p
Therefore, what have I done here??
Basically, nothing...
It's a vacation~~ what more you want me to do?
Just hangout and walk around the streets, checking buildings, and hide inside the shopping malls...
Yes, shopping malls...
Apparently, this little island has tons~, tons~ of shopping malls... for unknown reason... and the irony is, 89% of the brand is, yes, Western brands....
As I cruising around from mall to mall, I just can't figure out why...
The reality is, there are only a limited amount of brands in the world, does it really necessary to duplicate the brands over and over in this little place?? Not to mention the price isn't cheap as well... unless it's sale season...
That's a mystery is currently copy over and over throughout the world, think Dubai, Shanghai, and Egypt...
In cultural expect, this little island is a true multicultural society, the blend of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, and Westerners... all live happily separately together in the same chamber... much more happier than U.S.... predominately maybe because there's no room to run away to....
Thus the Singaporean culture is a set of its own, with the Western thinking as its back bone and let the subculture expand to its capacity... Which the outcome facilitate its financial strength when dealing with Western countries... They might not be the best in Asia, but I would say it's the best alternative most Western companies would consider, and they did...
During my stays this week, there's a promotion of learning Chinese from the government, as its next phase to catch the China market, potentially...
Well, China market, it's the game you will not play well unless you're the Chinese and native in China... trust me...
--
In comparison with the old four Asian tigers in the 70/80s... Seoul is the only city I haven't visit yet, but I can imagine it's essence...
So far, I would say Singapore will rise faster among the four, if they can partner well with Malaysia...
H.K, is bond to get demoted from China, as the rise of Shanghai will capture all foreigners once China's new open policy works... if it works...
Seoul, the government/business bond is still tight and its nationalism should keep the city in high gear, yet, the living cost is way too high...
Taipei, well... I'm a native yet also a stranger to this city... it has potentials, but no leaders at all... sadden truth... yet, if you interested, this is the best place to play with... cause it has no rules...
---
International exposure is a way to see a city's strength and its potential, its service sector also hint the next decade of success to come...
I think, I'll need to revisit Singapore in the near future...
-TT
11/22/09 @ Changi Airport, Singapore.
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