Moving Mondays: Singapore Through A Visitor's Eyes

Although My Traveling Troop just moved to Singapore from the United States six months ago, in some ways it feels as if we’ve lived here longer. What once seemed shiny and new has lost its luster, and what we once found different or frustrating has become a normal part of our daily lives.

I think that is why it’s nice to have visitors. They’re arrival is a chance to see your home with a fresh perspective and an opportunity to be reminded of all the nuances you’ve forgotten.

This phenomenon was particularly evident when my mother-in-law Trisha arrived from the states a couple weeks ago. Since stepping off the plane, she has pointed out differences between U.S. and Singapore customs -- both big and small -- that I stopped noticing a while ago. What a treat it is to rediscover Singapore again through her eyes!

My mother-in-law's visit to a local shopping center turned into
a lesson about Chinese New Year in Singapore.

Below are some of the differences or unique qualities about Singapore that she has reminded me of, in no particular order:

1. Singapore is packed with high rises, with new buildings being constructed each day. Yet, parts of the city-state are also lush with trees, flowers and grass.

2. If you live in a lush area like My Traveling Troop does where monkeys roam and swing from the trees, make sure you tie down the lid to your trash can (bungee cords work wonderfully!). If you don’t, you could come home with half-eaten trash all over your driveway, lawn and street!

3. Children in the school here are checked for signs of hand, foot and mouth disease before they can enter the building.

4. All students, whether they attend public or private school, wear uniforms in Singapore.

5. The people in Singapore are polite and formal, yet helpful and warm. My mother-in-law and I were struck by how comfortable some women were grabbing our hands and leading us to where we needed to go. (My mother-in-law experienced this with her tour guide, while I had a nurse lead me by the hand in the hospital.)

6. Singapore -- with its diverse population, including Chinese, Malays and Indians -- is a great way to learn about different Asian cultures. At the same time, the city-state is very western. And, English is the main language spoken here.

7. The first time you walk into a food court, hawker stand or even a grocery store it can be overwhelming! The cuisine and ingredients offered is as diverse as Singapore’s population.

8. Napkins in Singapore are like precious gems -- they’re rare! Hawker centers, food courts and some restaurants don’t provide napkins. As a result, always make sure you carry a pack with you. Plus, you can use the tissue packet to save your seat.

9. Now, I can make a grocery list and immediately know what stores I need to visit to get the food items. But when I first moved here, it was stressful trying to figure out which store carried what I needed.

10. Would you like to buy some chicken? Get your nose ready! The grocery store I shop at displays chicken much like fish -- on a bed of ice. It's a sight to behold when you're used to your chicken being wrapped up! My mother-in-law and I weren't sure whether the chicken was good sitting out in the open. But then we saw a woman walk up, grab some chicken with tongs and smell each piece to determine whether the meat was worthy to purchase. My mother-in-law followed the lady's lead, quickly sniffing each piece of chicken until she had her desired six pieces in the bag!

11. Do you want to use a grocery cart? Make sure you have a Singapore-dollar coin handy! You need to insert the coin to get a grocery cart. You get the coin back once you return the cart.

12. Shopping is like a national sport here, and there are hundreds of shopping centers to choose from. But the prices are high and the sticker shock is enough to make any shopping fan take a step back.

13. Singaporeans drive on the left-hand side of the road. They also back into parking spaces.

14. People love handing out candy here, especially to children. Is your child having a tantrum? Here! Have a piece of candy! Waiting for your doctor’s appointment? Candy!

Are you an expat? What differences have you discovered between your home country and the one you live in now?

Cheers,

Kristina

* Tune in each Monday for tips and stories aimed at helping your next move or deployment go more smoothly. If you have questions, tips or stories you would like to share, send a brief email to mytravelingtroop@gmail.com for consideration.