When I taught of the term “perfect society” I remembered my 2nd year Economics class , where we were taught about Utopia and the ideals that defined a perfect society . Now when I think about that term my first association lies with Singapore .
When people speak about this place you get the usual “so clean, so organized .so this so that, no chewing gum and fines” and then you get there and you realize it’s so much deeper than that. There is this mentality of sticking to the rules sort of like an ingrained doctrine that govern her citizens . You hear ordinary Singaporeans speak about their country and one of the first things you pick up is that they don’t question the rules they only abide by them. There’s a great sense of national pride, they believe in their government and they are proud of what they achieve as a nation. One of the first things that stood out for me was how a 50 year old tour guide that didn’t earn very much glowed with pride when she spoke about Singapore’s housing policy, the government has created a fantastic low interest mortgage scheme that ensures that all Singaporean residents regardless of their income level, are able to own and pay off a home Loan in a space of 2 – 10 years . So there’s this attitude among Singaporeans that I find incredibly refreshing its one of work hard and strive for what you want. I don’t believe Singapore’s social welfare systems remotely allow for government grants people work for what they want and they take great pride in it. Medical care and education is subsidized but laziness is not tolerated and this is evident in all the class levels of their society. A Taxi driver does his job and does it well he takes pride in the service he provides and so does every Singaporean whether his waiter in a dim sum shop or a man behind a Sari counter. There is this STRONG work ethic at all levels, and I believe that its attributed to the fact that Singaporeans value the role they play in their society regardless of what role that might be and they take pride in it .
The economic situatuation is so favorable in Singapore that is considered a number 1 work destination for expats and migrant workers from Asia . That also makes it highly competitive and therefore Singaporeans bring there A game and they push far more than the required 40 hours a Week because quite frankly if they don excel at it there’s always someone ready to take their place . So strong is their work ethic that throughout Singapore you find 60 – 80 year olds (Aunties and Uncles ) as they are known that provide Basic labor in the form of Cleaners and Char lady’s and when questioned about why they work even thou they are retired it’s not because there is a lack of caring for the old people . The society still follows Asian values and many are taken care of by their children , but these old people work to keep going , to fulfill a purpose to have a solid reason to wake up every morning they claim it keeps them fit and keeps them young and I find that fascinating .
But let me be totally objective, there are definite cracks and if you look deep enough you find them. We were fortunate to have dinner with 2 expats. They were ladies in their late 20s , that were working In Singapore for Standard Chartered Bank both doing really well as most expats in Singapore do , and they helped me uncover the cracks that perhaps my 3 day journey might not have shown me . According to them there is a large element of prejudice in this society while to an outsider It may look inclusive and non discriminatory there is preferential treatment for Chinese when it comes to the work place there’s also general Chinese dominance in terms of wealth distribution and according to these expats Singapore ensures it stays that way .Thing is I visited little India and while I hate to sound too critical of my own I have to ask this very blunt question when it comes to a large portion of Singapore’s Indians ? You’re in the most modern city in the world, why does it seem that you still stuck in the village thou? I say this with great prejudice because I mingled with local Indians and I was totally perplexed by the”gaam / village “mentality some of them had. With due respects even India herself has moved with the times it seems like Singapore Indians need to as well and maybe that explains the Chinese dominance . There is also a big social class system and it gets more and more pronounced with the ever growing affluence levels . There is discouragement of freedom of taught and Speech , Singaporeans don’t question they accept and this seems to be somewhat abnormal or perverse , as they tend to not question and its creating a society that lacks freedom of expression or creativity or free thinking . Singapores society is considered frigid by comparison to many a capital city in the world , taboos or what we will concider modern by many a world standard is still not accepted but once again it brings me to a great point of ponder, all the rules all the restrictions all the boundaries, is this not why their society works so well? There is literally no crime, poverty, moral degeneration surely something about the rules are working here ? Yet there is a another element to this place and her people, I observed the Singaporean youth and as much as they are called a frigid society, go to a night club on a week night and the true Modern Singapore shows herself. Lively bands , fun loving trendy youngsters that definitely let their hair down , they vibrant they delightfully respectful , modern and dynamic but still very Asian and therein lies the hope .
Considering all her strengths and weaknesses you can’t help been overwhelmed by this place. They say she changes every year and every time you go back there is more and more development, the reclaimed land situation is fascinating and as the land grows into the sea and continues to be this amazing economic success story , as a outsider I sat back and marveled . As much as Singapore is this perfectly designed concrete metropolis , she also has a lot of Asian culture and I guess that made it even more impressive , I’ve learnt to look at a place not by its big buildings and tourist attractions but by its food its people and its culture and its basic living conditions and attitudes . Singapore has all the charm you expect from Asia but it also has this modern Asian tenacity, its big its bright and its smart its obsessed with European luxury brands how much more evident is this than by the fact that Louis Vuitton, has its first Southeast Asian maison, and the world's first floating island of LV on the shore of Marina Bay sands yet another Marvel structure of pure fantasy , so yes the one thing I’m not going to deny is that this is a place fueled with pure consumerism and a appetite for luxury and stature J
In essence Singapore reeks of Material success but under all of the glits and glamour, it’s still truly Asian and a bowl of Noodles and a plate of chilli crab dim sum in a family restaurant still reminds you that you’re in Asia and that’s what I love about it. People maintain their heritage be it Chinese Indian, Malay , I visited temples and Bhuddist meditation services and I was pleasantly surprised that in the middle of the bustling metropolis in the middle of the work day I still found people offering ritual prayers and I think that’s what Singapore’s about its authentic .It’s been compared to many a western city but what strikes me is that even though the comparison is often made Singapore is in every way Asian .
There’s something that’s very alluring about Singapore something that I’m sure is going to send me back for more.
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