Singapore Notes

I've had it on my mind to make a post about the funny quirks we've noticed about Singapore. Here's a list that I'll add to when I think of more.........

1. It's 85 degrees here and 90% humidity, but you still see an amazing number of people wearing black clothing, suits or jeans.
   
2. When you buy a whole chicken at the grocery you get the WHOLE chicken. You must look for "Without head and feet" on the package if you don't want them.
   
3. Be sure of purchases because it's common to have only a 7-day return policy on merchandise. There is no such thing as 90 days, or even 30. And the rule still applies to exchanges. Some places don't offer refunds at all. I think most of you know this a challenge for me seeing I love to buy a bunch in the store and return what I don't want to keep. The plus side is I'll save a trip.
   
4. My cell phone started to malfunction after a week of owning it and I had to go to the repair center to have it fixed. They don't just give you a new one here, even if it's under warranty.
   
5. The smallest coin is 5 cents. The smallest bill is $2. There are NO pennies. The dollar is a coin and has an octagon shape. This shape is significant to the subway system in Singapore. You carry this will you when entering the tunnels (Dragon veins) so that bad spirits will be driven away by your energy so the city wont sink.
   
6. Local and fast food places only take cash, no credit or debit card. Restaurants/Bistros will only take credit card if it's above a certain amount, like $20.
   
7. They are cash card crazy over here. We have a card for road tolls and parking that inserts into a device mounted in our car. Money is automatically deducted when we pass through the toll or parking gate. We also have a card for the MRT (subway). There are top-up stations everywhere.
   
8. McDonald's will deliver to your home.
   
9. You can get fined $50 per larva if the government finds misquotes breeding in or around your home.
10. Overpasses are called flyovers.
11. Strollers are called Prams.
12. Grocery carts are called trolleys.
13. The command to exit your car or a train is "alight".
    
14. A "yes" answer from a Singaporean is usually "can" or "can, can" or "have".
15. Singaporean's will finish their sentences with "lah" at the end. For example, "Going to dinner, lah?"
16. They love blond children. We've had total strangers taking pictures of Sabrina. Some have even offered our girls biscuits.
    
17. If we were to stay here long term, I would have to teach my kids things like "say no to biscuits" instead of "say no to drugs." Not bad.