Singapore

[tiggerblue10]

My reportee has just returned from a holiday in Singapore and she said its a totally different world to Britain. Apparently the streets are completely clean and if you drop litter you could be arrested. She also said that they don't allow chewing gum in the country so there are no gum blobs all over the pavements like here. Crime is also very low and you can leave your doors and windows open without fear of burglary. Not sure which part she went to but is it like this throughout Singapore?

[Sqad]

Yes, I have also been to Singapore many times and especially at Christmas, where it is more traditional than the UK.

Very impressed with Singapore.

Excellent doctors and a good health service.

[tiggerblue10]

Yes Sqad, I heard about the excellent Health Service there as well.

Sound like a lovely place to visit.

[abstibus]

Singapore is very tough on crime. Here is a brief summary of their laws:
http://www.focussinga...mation-singapore/law/

[tiggerblue10]

Sound very strict but it seems to work towards a clean, tidy and safe environment I guess.

[jake-the-peg]

Just don't write any books criticizing the government or they'll throw you in gaol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Shadrake

[DTCwordfan]

Singapore is a fine city, they fine you for anything.

The souvenir t-shirt - "I went to Singapore and all I gwas a lousy whipping."

[237SJ]

Yes, it is like that. I was on the underground a while ago and took a mouthful of my bottled water (understandable as the place is always stinking hot) then I realised there was a hudreds of dollar fine for doing that. It`s very clean (due to the fines again) and immaculate but then it is a rich country and they can afford to be. It`s nice to visit but they are very rule driven and you have to "conform" there. Everybody is the same and are so rule-driven. I always say I could never live there as I`d go nuts.

[tiggerblue10]

Thats quite harsh Jake but if those are the laws then so be it.

Thats probably where they get all their money to keep the streets clean DTC. Apparently there is CCTV on every street corner but then it is a small state.

[tiggerblue10]

Seems to work for them though 237SJ. I wouldn't mind living in a clean environment like that.

[237SJ]

They`ve still got a touch of subversiveness (that`s until they get shot for it anyway)! You can get counterfeit computer software in little shops that look like stationary stores if you know where to look and if they trust you and there`s a roaring trade in counterfeit DVDs in certain hidden quarters (usually a phone call away but no emails as the government snoop on them)

[jake-the-peg]

//If those are the laws so be it?//

Glad not everybody thinks like that or we'd still be tugging our forelocks every time a bloke in a wig rides by

[Sqad]

mmmm! I can imagine it must be difficult living in a disciplined and clean society............

[237SJ]

Personally I think it`s too disciplined Sqad. There`s a middle ground between complate anarchy and the strict laws in Singapore. I don`t want to be fined because I`m thirsty and I want a sip of water.

[whiskeryron]

237SJ
Yes, it is like that. I was on the underground a while ago and took a mouthful of my bottled water (understandable as the place is always stinking hot) then I realised there was a hudreds of dollar fine for doing that.

Why a fine for drinking bottled water?,don't understand

Ron.

[jake-the-peg]

That's the thing isn't it?

the right wing fantasy is dictatorship by proxy - where all your predudices are ruthlessly enforced by some strong Government.

Just wait 'till Sqad gets thrown into jail for speeding and wait for the sqeeling

[Old_Geezer]

I prefer not to have all aspects of my life dictated to by an elite. If one approves of these things and the society has voted for them, well I guess that's one thing. But I take my responsibilities seriously and expect to have rights as to how I live my life that are not infringed on in Draconian ways. It may look better over there but IMO, from what I hear, it all sounds very much less civilised.

[tiggerblue10]

You mistake my meaning Jake. I said that it sounded harsh which I think it is. But those are the laws of Singapore and who are we to judge.

[237SJ]

Whiskeryron - because It`s illegal to eat or drink on the streets so I guess they`ve extended that to the underground trains. The fine was either S$100 or S$500 ( I can`t remember). About a year ago I went down to the 711 late at night and saw a few teenagers sitting outside. Not only were they drinking beer (very quietly and peacefully) bu they had the nerve to dye their hair red as well. I thought "cripes, you`re risking it"!

[Sqad]

I didn't realise that it was illegal to drink water in public, I thought that the fine was for throwing away the container.

"the right wing fantasy is dictatorship by proxy - where all your predudices are ruthlessly enforced by some strong Government. "

Odd, I thought that that was the substance of Communism....hardly right wing.