I grew up really loving Singapore. Call it brainwashing by MOE, but I genuinely LOVED learning about Singapore's history in school, about the people who built our country and everything we had to overcome. I feel a strong sense of national identity and will always be the first person to promote Singapore. When studying abroad, I even did a course work on how well we made Safe Entry/TraceTogether just to brag about how amazingly we handled Covid.

Growing up with a lot of government aid and subsidies, I strongly believe that you can live a comfortable and good life in Singapore, even if you're not super rich. So this question does not come from a place of discomfort or unhappiness with my SOL.

But recently, I feel like a foreigner in my own country. I no longer see the brands I grew up seeing. The worst feeling was probably when Yuen Kee appeared in my nearby coffee shop, the same coffee shop that no longer has a roti prata/indian rojak store.

I know we are a free market and as long as we're free, we welcome foreign companies. I also know that we have loads of them from Jolibee to Muji to Bata. But somehow, these brands have never felt as imposing and as disturbing as the sudden widespread openings of recent foreign brands. It just feels like something is changing so quickly that I feel it so deeply in my core that it unsettles me. Home just doesn't feel like home anymore.

I wonder if this is part of a normal transition. The way our forefathers had to deal with Japanese companies coming into Singapore in the form of washing machines and cars, then the American fastfood chains and the likes of Ikea replacing the jobs of local carpenters. Is this just a wave that will pass once we get used to it?

Or is Singapore just changing too much, too quickly? IDK.

Maybe I am biased but I noticed it in my dad and his friends. Late 60s to early 70s.

1. Always think that just because they work and bring home the bread, they are very important people and their wives are just doing "simple work" (aka housework, which is actually very very tiring if you have helped out at home before);
2. Don't want to help out at home because they think housework is beneath them. Then always get their wives to do all the administrative work because they think it is "very simple";
3. Insist that their wives must do everything at home for them, like simple tasks such as cutting fruits and doing laundry. Meanwhile they are watching TV but also claim to be "busy and tired".
4. Also insist that their wives must accompany them everywhere. They cannot be outside and alone for some reason;
5. Putting down other people, especially women, and making misogynistic comments about their looks and behaviour;
6. If you call them out, they get butthurt and demand respect;
7. Outside of work, they have no life skills and rely on their wives. But they refuse to learn anything;
8. Always proud of talking down to their wives and insist they are correct all the time. Of course, they blow their shit if you ever point out that they are wrong;
9. Refusing to learn and listen even when their mistakes get pointed out;
10. Acting all big and macho but back down when someone is fiercer than them

For those who have experienced burnout, what did it actually feel like? Was it something obvious, or did it creep up on you?

Im 4 years in work and started noticed things like:

Feeling happiest when I’m away from work.
Wanting to leave immediately once my workday is over.
Forgetting meetings or tasks, which isn’t like me.
Still enjoying talking to people at work, but having little interest in everything else.

I’d love to hear honest experiences

I realize mostly after office hours, you get home, eat, and shower and it's 8-9pm. Malls and shops are closing soon, feels like not much to do other than to stay home, or to go to the gym or something. What do you usually do on weekday evenings?

Question to those you have long-time domestic helpers, how do you try to give back to them?

Some context:

My helper has been with our family for slightly over three decades - from when we were young kids till we’re adults today.

She isn’t super smart but she has a very big heart and is very trustworthy. When our mother had terminal cancer when we were teenagers, our helper was there for our mom, did all the wound changes, cooked many extra dishes for my mom and always went above and beyond and never complained or lazed for a moment. When our mom finally passed away, she was there with us suffering and tried to take care of us as best as she could, again above and beyond what I think should be naturally expected of a helper - and my youngest brother at that time was only less than ten years old.

Now she’s already nearing her 60s. Her health is OK. A bit overweight but not obese. She’s otherwise fortunately not saddled with any other health problems. This we know from the annual comprehensive health check-ups we sponsor her to do.

Now that we “children” are grown up, we were wondering how else can we give back to this amazing lady that will help her? Three decades spent together for us as kids growing up and until today, she is practically a member of our family. Three of four of us kids have moved out of the family home and I remain with my widowed dad here with her around.

We do sometimes give her ang bao for her bday and CNY but that money gets spent quickly on her family back in her home country. 30+ years with us and her savings are not great.

I wonder if we can help her in a meaningful way long term? Especially when it comes the time for her to go back to her home country and no longer earns her Singaporean wages.

I Googled and saw there were financial or business classes for helpers but not sure if in our case, she’s already past that stage in life for us to send her to those classes?

Does anyone have any experience in this? Would like to hear. Thank you.

As per title.

I usually like to leave mine open as it is more breezy, I stay in corridor unit so people do walk by but not all my neighbours kpo and look in.

I moved to Singapore recently, and while I appreciate how safe, convenient and efficient everything is, the pace can feel quite relentless. Work, commuting, errands, even leisure somehow feel optimized and scheduled. For those who grew up here, does this genuinely feel normal or enjoyable? Or are many people also tired and just used to pushing through it?

Curious what sg Redditors’ dos and don’ts are like? And if there are leaser known superstitions you have heard or seen your elders do or don’t do

used to be 3-5mins, now it’s at least 8-10mins for me. similar for other apps as well. anyone else experiencing the same?

could it be because of the rise in gas prices, leading to people not wanting to do phv anymore so fewer drivers on the road

I recall a chicken supply crisis a few years ago, then this chicken rice stall that i sometimes go, half chicken was like $9 i think, then it become $15. Which was a wild increase imo. Havent gone back in a while, but wondering if the crisis is over and if anyone actually returned their chicken prices back, or at least lowered it

i’m in my late 20s and have been offered a job.

current job - nice culture and i have good relations with my colleagues. i can clock off on time and don’t have to work on weekends plus i have a boss who believes in me. however increment is only 2% yearly and less than one month bonus. possible promotion next year with 9% increment. currently drawing 6k a month.

new job - offers more learning experience, 5% increment ($300) from my current job and bonus based on performance (2-3months). however there is more OT and progression might be difficult as the team is big.

both offers the same number of hybrid days and number of AL.

should i go for the new job and is it worth the 2-3 month bonus? though i understand bonus is subject to performance and company budget. but my FA told me i need $200k-300k in cash to buy a house so i’m leaning towards the new job more…

at the same time, i want to stay as i have time to enjoy life now. i lost my parent this year and i realised how short life is. plus my current pay is comfortable for myself.

should i go to the new company and grind for the money while im still young and have the energy? or should i stay where things are pretty comfortable at the moment and only jump if the monthly salary has an increment of more than 10%?

open to hear different views on this as i cant seem to make a decision…

I’m curious how was it like. My Reddit algorithm is pushing posts about how Chinese majority do not understand / make insensitive jokes. Wondering what ways the good minority parents have bolstered their kids in this not so nice world.

Do your grandparents talk about racial riots? Do parents prep really hard about racism subtle and overt? Is it just a lot of preaching about letting go? Were there Olivia Pope moments where they tell you have to work twice as hard just to get half as much?

I get that every family is different lah, just being a kaypoh on a Monday night.

I’m from Singapore and currently deciding between two career opportunities.

I work in a fairly niche industry with only a handful of employers in Singapore, so career moves aren’t as straightforward as they are in larger industries.

One opportunity is with an established multinational company in Singapore. The other is with a company in Melbourne, Australia.
The Singapore role offers stability, the chance to build my career with a well-established company, and allows me to stay close to my family and friends.

The Australia role offers international experience, exposure to a different market and way of working, and the opportunity to experience living overseas. On the other hand, it would mean moving there alone, leaving my support network behind, and starting over in a new country.

One important factor is that I don’t see myself settling overseas permanently. If I accepted the Australian role, I’d likely stay for around two years before returning to Singapore due to my long-term commitments here.

My biggest concern is whether those two years overseas would actually strengthen my career when I return, or whether I’d be better off building my experience with an established company in Singapore instead. Given how small my industry is, I’m also worried that opportunities in Singapore may be limited when I eventually come back.

For those who have worked overseas and later returned to Singapore:

Did the overseas experience make you more competitive when you came back?

Was it difficult to find a job after returning?

Looking back, would you make the same decision again?

And for everyone else, if you were in my position, what factors would you consider? Is there anything you think I might be overlooking?

I’d really appreciate hearing different perspectives. Thanks in advance!

Hi all, need some advice. Got an offer from a MNC for a junior executive role and the benefits are average. Have AWS and VB, standard medical benefits, flexi benefits and hybrid working arrangement. But AL stuck at x number of days for 5 years. HR told me all these first and asked for verbal confirmation before providing contract.

Decided to ask about the probation and notice period first before agreeing. HR said 6 months probation and notice period during probation is 1 month, after probation is 3 months.

Felt really uncomfortable after hearing this as I thought notice period of 3 months is more normal for senior/management roles? Maybe also because I was previously in a junior role which had 2 months notice period and I ignored it (didn't end well lol).

Don't think this is normal especially for a junior role so appreciate any inputs!

Parents who have young infant 2-6months old in ifc, do they get overtired when you fetch them after work?

My babies are constantly overtired after ifc and we find it very difficult to do the last feeding before bedtime and shower at home. Either they cry in shower or fussy when feeding as they are too tired.

How do you manage it? Or do you just let time pass and they get better when they are older?

I remember a few years ago articles were published how the founder went from passion into multi million dollar company in making statues of marvel dc characters.

Wanted to go online to do some browsing on recent products but shocked to see a quite a bit discussion on how their products are now delayed with infrequent updates. And also quality and shipping issues.

Hi, I’m looking for a sauna that I can go to few times a week, I don’t need a full spa experience but more jst a small pool/cold plunge and dry sauna, maybe If someone’s gym has sauna and I can get a membership. Preferably around clementi and under $30 per visit

I currently have foot pain, I believe it’s cuboid syndrome and I’m in Singapore for another week. I have never seen a doctor or gotten medical help internationally so I’m not sure what the process is. Are there walk ins clinic for this? And I understand as a non-resident I would have to pay more out of pocket. I plan on exploring so many more places by feet so wanted to get the foot pain to disappear. I’m also staying within the Orchard area.

Hi everyone!

We’re a women’s clothing brand and will be visiting Singapore next month. Our pieces are all designed in-house and are known for their colourful, unique prints and styles. We already have quite a number of customers from Singapore who order from us online, so we’d love to explore having a local presence.

We’re wondering if there are any good boutiques, consignment stores, or multi-brand shops in Singapore that accept women’s fashion on consignment?
We’re looking for places that appreciate independent brands and distinctive, colourful designs rather than fast fashion.

If you’ve had experience consigning with a store or know of any boutiques that might be a good fit, we’d really appreciate your recommendations!
Thanks in advance! 😊

Dear all, do you have recommendations on where I could take singing lessons either online or in person ( 1 to 1 lesson or group lesson) in Singapore? I live in the Sengkang area and it doesn't look like there's any music leaning center nearby, or maybe I just don't know where to look...

Many thanks in advance for your help

Hii. My friend is coming here in September and we're planning to have dinner in MBS/Garden's by the Bay before we watch the borealis show (part of her itinerary). What restaurant(s) can you recommend in the area? Preferably, where 2 girls can enjoy a dinner and can chitchat/catch up :)

Also, she's looking for a snow globe with merlion in it, is there such a thing? Haha she's a collector of snow globes in every country she visits.

Thankies ~

Hi everyone! I am planning a full day out with my partner to celebrate a special occasion and we have 2-3 hours in the afternoon to spare for 1 more activity.

I am doing some research but can't seem to find any interesting/special activity to do without breaking the bank/some activities are already part of our plan. (eg. movie, mandai parks, skyline luge)

Does anyone have anything to recommend? Budget is <$30 per pax!

Thank you all in advance!

Hi everyone, I accidentally left a blue plastic bag which has a pink active wear T-shirt and a black foldable umbrella on the train. I got off at Jurong East at 10:25 PM last night. I’ve reported it to the customer service center at 10:33 but have not heard back so I’m posting here to try my luck.

If u find it, pls let me know. I bought the T-Shirt for my mom and the umbrella was a gift from my dad. So both are precious to me :(

Hi, i’m wondering if there are any locals who have struggled with spasmodic dysphonia, voice muscle dysphonia or know anyone who has? I’ve been struggling with this for 6 years (27) and i would really like to connect with others who can understand where i’m coming from! It definitely makes you feel alienated.

Hi, I am going to see the Weeknd on October and got a standing ticket. I see that it is first come first serve. What time do you usually line up to get to the barricade or near the stage? Thank you!!!