The Bizarre Behaviour of Singaporeans

Edited to add in my own inputs in red

I read the below and agree with some of the points. The below observations are made by a German national who has lived in Singapore for 9 years Singaporean.

1. 44 years of economic and material success have spawned some very strange behaviours among Singaporeans. They spent so much to buy a house or flat, furnished it up like a palace, but spent their time outside, most of the time at work. And the maids are the ones enjoying the million-dollar or multi-million-dollar assets.
   
   We Singaporeans are spending much time outside working for a living, paying off huge housing loans and savings for 2nd generation. For some, they have extra to spend on private car and seeing them depreciate as time passes. We have to accept all these in such a highly competitive inhabitation and still want to call Singapore our home.
   


2. Then they pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And they are encouraged to park their cars at home and take public transport, being cheaper and more convenient.
   
   Buying a car in Singapore is not difficult for we just need to sign on the dotted line to secure a loan. It is the usage of a car and driving it onto public roads that is killing many. Parking fees in shopping malls and ERP charges are the two main deterrences. I personally do not see a strong need in owning a personal car unless I have a family.
   


3. And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they went shopping. The best part is that they would head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. But they are still happy that they got a bargain.
   
   I am not shy to say Singaporeans including myself have the mentality of if we did not get something from the country, the trip would be a wasted one. That's what boost global economy isn't it? I prefer a trip to have a balance of sight-seeing and shopping.
   


4. And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they could not, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from this paradise.
   
   This is just another obvious evidence that hectic and fast moving Singapore city is not their preferred place for retirement.
   


5. While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.
   
   The Singapore government wants us to embrace foreign talents and we really have to since the population of foreigners now make up 33%.
   


6. And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the govt and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they will vote and return the govt to power.
   
   The incumbent PAP will triumph unless the opposition parties can show their worth and get their policies/agendas conveyed without getting themselves implicated in court cases like SDP's Dr Chee Soon Juan.
   

Strange Singaporean behaviour

The Bizarre Behaviour of Singaporeans [via]