It's come to the end of my short and sweet trip in Singapore. Taking the advice of Terrenct, I'll thought I'd look at the similarities rather than the differences between the city and Hong Kong. However I've come to the conclusion that both cities are so similar, it'd make more sense to focus on the differences instead.
1. The Hawker Center
Amazing food, thousands of variety at unbeatable prices. the off side? My appetite seems to have disappeared in the heat. Strategy for dieting I suppose?
Recommended by an old friend, We went to the Old Airport Road hawker center by bus 10 from Merlion Park. It was local. I couldn't find a better word. Local cuisine in its finest form, including the environment, people and atmosphere.
2. The Weather
Singapore is only one word - hot. Not only is it hot, it's freaking hot. Everywhere I go there's the sun, men in semi-wet tees, women in all sorts of spaghetti stripes, skirts, shorts and dresses.
I am so ready for some autumning now.
3. The People
Hong Kong brands herself as the international financial center, but Singapore is the true multinational hub. the uniqueness of the country is that people from different cultures actually live in harmony in such a small city. There are Chinese, Malays, Indians and all sorts of other nationalities mixing and living in the same place. They are also generally more friendly and polite. (But that might be due to the invasion of Mainlanders, though that's a completely different issue)
4. Language
Although people basically communicate in English, it is extremely common to hear children speaking in a mix of languages. Whereas in Hong Kong, Chinese is Chinese. (Excluding those people trying to sound special, but that too is a completely different matter.) Oh, and the Singaporean accent is worth a mention too. Just after 3 short days and already my brain is thinking in their tone.
5.Clothing
Maybe it's just me or maybe Singaporeans really do dress more causally than Hong Kongers. I was used to the fashion shows in my university campus and thus when I look at the people here there was just not as much eye candies for me to feast on...
Well, these five points basically wraps up the 'cultural differences' my shallow self have observed in the pass few days. Disagreements are only natural and opened to. Overall, Singapore and Hong Kong shared many similarities in which I may write about if I have the time in the near future.
1. The Hawker Center
Amazing food, thousands of variety at unbeatable prices. the off side? My appetite seems to have disappeared in the heat. Strategy for dieting I suppose?
Recommended by an old friend, We went to the Old Airport Road hawker center by bus 10 from Merlion Park. It was local. I couldn't find a better word. Local cuisine in its finest form, including the environment, people and atmosphere.
2. The Weather
Singapore is only one word - hot. Not only is it hot, it's freaking hot. Everywhere I go there's the sun, men in semi-wet tees, women in all sorts of spaghetti stripes, skirts, shorts and dresses.
I am so ready for some autumning now.
3. The People
Hong Kong brands herself as the international financial center, but Singapore is the true multinational hub. the uniqueness of the country is that people from different cultures actually live in harmony in such a small city. There are Chinese, Malays, Indians and all sorts of other nationalities mixing and living in the same place. They are also generally more friendly and polite. (But that might be due to the invasion of Mainlanders, though that's a completely different issue)
4. Language
Although people basically communicate in English, it is extremely common to hear children speaking in a mix of languages. Whereas in Hong Kong, Chinese is Chinese. (Excluding those people trying to sound special, but that too is a completely different matter.) Oh, and the Singaporean accent is worth a mention too. Just after 3 short days and already my brain is thinking in their tone.
5.Clothing
Maybe it's just me or maybe Singaporeans really do dress more causally than Hong Kongers. I was used to the fashion shows in my university campus and thus when I look at the people here there was just not as much eye candies for me to feast on...
Well, these five points basically wraps up the 'cultural differences' my shallow self have observed in the pass few days. Disagreements are only natural and opened to. Overall, Singapore and Hong Kong shared many similarities in which I may write about if I have the time in the near future.
