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Why?
When living in a foreign land, many curiosities arise from social behaviors that are different from those of your upbringing. Naturally, here in Singapore, there are several instances when we asked ourselves "Why?" We will share some of those experiences here.
Someone pees here?
Just after we moved to Singapore, an announcement posted in the lobby of our apartment caught our eye. It read, "please do not pee in the elevator." We thought, "huh? Who would pee in an elevator?" It turns out that in Singapore, this isn't so uncommon. Although finding urine on the floor of an elevator of a condominium mostly occupied by foreigners is rare, it's a daily occurrence in a Housing Development Board (HDB) building (please refer to the page on Housing). One of Wes' coworkers became so disgusted with constant pee in the elevator, that when he had the chance to move, he selected an apartment on the 2nd floor that was accessible by the stairs. One of Masami's Singaporean coworkers who lived in the US for 9 years asked people from various nationalities whether there was a problem with people peeing in elevators in their country. It seems that the problem is endemic to Singapore.
Shouldn't people alighting the train be let off first?
Not in Singapore. Certainly, there are "Courtesy Campaigns" promoting the idea of letting people get off the train before those at the train station try to board, but nobody seems to care. When we first came to Singapore, we were frustrated by the apparent lack of common courtesy. However, after riding the train daily for nearly a year, we adjusted. When the train doors open, people on the train alight and those on the platform board at the same time, turning their bodies sideways to randomly squeeze through the oncoming crowds. Also, even if you wait in line on the platform, people who arrive afterwards invariably budge in front of the line, so we don't bother to line up any longer ourselves. We had to adjust our behavior to stop from getting frustrated at all the little differences. One behavior remains curious. When elementary school age children burst into the train practically knocking over the elderly in an attempt to get a seat, the accompanying parent doesn't scold the child. The concept of rudeness may be missing from this society.
Try looking ahead when you walk!
The walking pace of Singaporeans is really slow. Not only that, but many stray to the left or right while looking to the side. This makes walking at a normal pace quite difficult. Constantly deciding which direction to walk to avoid bumping into the other inattentive weaving pedestrians gets tiring. One way to reduce frustration is to slow your own pace to a near halt and blend in with the surrounding pedestrian traffic. In Masami's opinion, Singapore is a perfect place for first time tourists. No matter how distracted or slowly the tourist walks down the street, none of the locals will get frustrated.
Why hurry on the escalator?
In Japan when getting on the escalator, people naturally step to one side to allow those who are rushed to walk past. Of course, that level of social consciousness is missing in Singapore. When we first came to Singapore, we were constantly frustrated taking the escalator. Sometimes, there would be only 2 people on the escalator standing side-by-side not allowing us to pass. Nobody's trying to be rude. The awareness that someone else may be in a hurry just doesn't enter their mind. Gradually, we also adjusted to riding the escalator in Singapore. Now, instead of trying to pass people, we give up and decide to stop rushing about.
Isn't there a fine for littering?
Many people have the impression that Singapore is pristine. Areas tourists view and foreigners live are certainly clean. But step into local areas and you'll be surprised to see litter here and there. There's a fine in Singapore for littering and spitting, but nobody seems to care. There's usually plenty of litter around the HDB building mailboxes where many people discard junk mail right on the ground. One day, a mother with child threw an advertisement on the ground. When a coworker asked that she not litter, she responded, "it's none of your business."
Isn't today the delivery date?
"We will deliver between 15:00 and 18:00 on the 15th" the delivery man said. We waited for our deliveries numerous times as the time of delivery came and went. Recently, we've become grateful when the delivery arrived on the promised day, irrespective of time. One of Masami's friends who was moving to the US from Singapore ordered some furniture to take with her. The delivery date came and went. Phone calls to the store were unhelpful. Why set a delivery date if the delivery won't arrive on that day?
When is it my turn?
For example, when purchasing fruit at the fruit stand, people naturally wait their turn in Japan or the US. In Singapore, if you try to wait your turn, people who arrive afterwards will shout their order to get served. If you wait your turn, your turn will never come.
