Crazy things foreigners need to be prepared for in Singapore

Meet Mike. Originally from the UK, he became an Australian citizen after spending 20 years there and eventually moved to Singapore 4 years ago. We discussed obtaining a new 5-year talent visa, dealing with a 100% rent increase, and the bizarre phone behavior in Singapore. Enjoy!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
00:27 Culture shock in Singapore
01:00 Tips for foreigners in Singapore
02:41 Renting in Singapore
03:50 Advices for Aussies
05:27 Australia VS Singapore
06:17 Are foreigners stealing jobs?
08:45 Liverpool VS Singapore
10:25 Singlish secret:)
11:17 New 5-year talent visa in Singapore
12:21 Important life principle
13:06 Blitz Poll
WATCH NEXT:
► Top Weird Things in Singapore for Australians: • Top Weird Things in Si...
► Why this American decided to live in Singapore: • Why this American deci...
► Pros & Cons of Living in Singapore as a Foreigner: • Pros & Cons of Living ...
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Hey! This channel bridges the gap between locals and foreigners in Singapore. Join Max as he interviews expats, unraveling their unique stories and providing valuable insights into their lives in this vibrant city-state. Through engaging conversations, Max fosters understanding and appreciation between Singaporeans and the global community with a focus on cultural exchange.
If you're a company seeking sponsorship opportunities to engage our upscale audience, contact us at [e-mail]. With over 50% Singaporean viewers and a substantial number of foreign professionals (US, EU, Australia), our mature audience (35-54 years) boasts strong purchasing power and interests in an above-average lifestyle, travel, investment, and personal finance.
If you have a guest suggestion for an interview, please reach out to us at [e-mail].
#ExpatLife #MaxChernov #Singapore

[@fuwafuwa5581]

I am a Singaporean, just want to share my thoughts on the part where he mentioned the service here in Singapore is not that great for Food & Beverage related services. In the past, I worked as a Cashier and also as a Waiter during my school holidays. In my experience, I get treated really poorly by fellow Singaporeans and especially those who live in condominiums (How do I know they live in condominiums? They like to brag in front of me or casually say things like “omg can you hurry up and pack quickly? Later my ice cream melt by the time I reach back to my condominium”). The surprising thing is that foreigners are actually the ones that treated me with more respect and kindness. I dare say that 8 out of 10 foreigners will smile or thank me after I have packed for them their groceries or brought them their food, whereas Singaporeans maybe 2 out of 10. Ever since that experience, I told myself I don’t want to work in the service line anymore. Besides the poor treatment, the salary is also horrendous for service staff in Singapore.. So yeah I guess maybe that is something we can improve on in Singapore.

[@fuwafuwa5581]

@@mingzmings88 haha I hope nobody gets offended by what I said. Anyways, I was just sharing my own personal experience having served Singaporeans before. My hope is that Singapore will improve on the way we treat others including those working in the service jobs. 😊

[@lucyfiniarel2347]

nah its true LOL. it's underpaid labor, mostly staffed by local students or others from China, Malaysia, philippines etc. There's a sort of classism here.

[@humanshieldz]

In Singapore, i thank the employees at the supermarket for shopping there 😆 I worked as a internal IT Helpdesk before and having spent a few years in Australia, i try to give the same type of service in the company here but really have to balance the expectation and service cos for some reason Asia tend to believe a lot less in friendly service and more to speed so they have less staff doing similar workload as other countries. Maybe they should send Singaporeans for few months overseas training to improve their CS skills. I'll never try doing customer service for public though, it's a thankless job especially here haha. Also, you are not the only one saying that about Singapore customers and people need to accept the truth and improve on it else we keep sweeping it under the carpet and live in denial, we'll never get better.

[@leongyet9896]

Wahahahah me too. I worked as a waiter,not all Singaporeans,but met quite alot of self entitled and especially the ones who is with friends and paying the bill. Damn yaya papaya.

[@justnow5809]

Everyone hopes others to make the change, why can't be you....show you care....

[@sleepandrelaxation3395]

When Mike says he can't find a place for breakfast at 6 or 7am, then he most likely doesn't live in the heartlands where most of the population live in. Go to ANY heartland hawker centre or coffeeshop at 6.30am, there will likely be several breakfast options available. There is also a matter of timezone difference, daytime is about the same everyday since Singapore is almost on the equator. Australia is a big country and has more than 1 timezone, different seasons will have different daylight hours. So "6am" is just an arbitrary number. Won't it be much more logical to live your life based on actual sunlight hours which happens to be 7am onwards in Singapore. No discussion about local food... maybe Mike never really visited a local hawker centre. ;)

[@novarainnoval]

Yup.. he never seen the aunties and uncles doing exercises at dark o'clock

[@gerardng5142]

what sort of a neighbourhood he lives in i wonder... where nothing is open and no one is awake by 6?

[@jeremyemilio9378]

@@gerardng5142 probably river valley or deep in Bukit tima

[@SreedharBukya]

Yes, It it true on China Town, when I moved to Singapore, It was hard to find breakfast place open in early morning, It was mostly open around 7:30 that one nearest one which I know of in that area.

[@ritalee4964]

Most of the stalls in our local hawker centres here are open around 6am. if you are not into our local breakfast, perhaps you can try the toast bread with coffee or tea 😊

[@limchyehock6722]

But No Vegemite toast. Hehe.

[@ritalee4964]

@@limchyehock6722 can special request for just butter or peanut butter to replace kaya . Everything is doable. Just ask😉

[@dobersziel2044]

Local food is the best

[@callananddahlia]

It’s frustrates me as a singaporean not to find any cafe open after 3pm in australia. 😂

[@MaxChernov]

hahaha

[@danielooi896]

My biggest annoyance was having to do banking and any post office chores at lunch time and the queues were long. All closed on the weekend unless you were prepared to drive miles. This is in Melbourne.

[@Henry-ve3ye]

not in Melbourne tho. hahahaha

[@luqman3722]

Just make it at your home. Do by yourself. Enjoy is easy

[@Onoorain]

English is not our first language, stop whinging, POMMS about reservation.. You are not a dinky die either..

[@Millielai12]

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is open 24hours. Most shops in Australia are.closed by 5pm. In Singapore you have Mustafa Centre open 24hrs and many other supermarkets.

[@KK-kn3sn]

I used to work for an US Investment bank supporting asia pac ex Japan, and I was seated in between a British and a local Singaporean. So if I turn to my left I speak to the British in BBC English, and turn to my right, it’s the singlish with my fellow Singaporean and when I’m on the phone it could be Cantonese to the HK clients or mandarin to TW or CN. Sometimes I will get confused and forgot to switch channels 😂😂😂

[@MaxChernov]

😂

[@DBE008]

That's like making a different type of international call. haha

[@alvinlim7364]

In 1980 or 81, Lee Kuan Yew decided to align our time zone with KL, which in turn was aligned to East Malaysia (UTC+8). Hence we are UTC +8 instead of +7 like Indonesia or Thailand.

[@MaxChernov]

I actually prefer Sg vs Thai for this. 7am to 7pm daylight is ideal for me!

[@SuccessforLifester]

1 Jan 1982 took effect

[@uwet.8826]

​@@MaxChernovI totally agree. In fact, I told my Thai friends that Thailand should adopt +8 too as it affords economic activities to continue after work. Many places outside Bangkok and Pattaya are practical lifeless after 6pm. People has less motivation to go out after work when it is dark.

[@davekiat]

My local bakery is open at 6am with freshly baked bread and toast. But it's in the heartlands. :)

[@lpericteo]

I think he only seen certain parts of 🇸🇬. Most Singaporeans woke up early to do their morning exercises in the neighbourhood park around * 6am.

[@limchyehock6722]

Some even earlier. Singaporean lives don't start late as claimed. Totally untrue.

[@StarrySunnie]

Another Amazing Insight about Economy and the interviewee’s opinion about “stealing jobs from local”. Thank you very much, Mr. Max 🙏🏽🙇🏻‍♀️

[@kris_tan]

Another great video as usual. Love to hear people’s pov about the little red dot

[@danielooi896]

A good take on how generation of talent produces more talent and job opportunities. Im still not convinced Singapore laws are more restrictive than Australia though. As for friendliness in Singapore its a lot like Switzerland. On the surface people may seem standoffish but underneath, very welcoming.

[@axianskin]

Back in Australia, having a live-in domestic helper is unheard of unless you’re ultra wealthy. For his family to have a maid to free his time doing housework, pay only 20% income tax vs 45% in Australia, frequent travel around region (especially Bali), what is that 100% rental increment…lol

[@eslgurucalif]

He probably still pays Australian taxes. Also, having lived in several big, expensive cities, a 100 percent rent increase sounds insane.

[@axianskin]

Singapore has signed non-double taxation agreements with many countries, including Australia and UK, so he only pays tax to the resident country.

[@426dfv]

20% tax plus 8% GST

[@user-fn4tg7mx2i]

Always laughed at Sing mums stressed out even though they have a maid lol.... That's why Sing kids are soooooooo soft compared to western kids.

[@tanhuachan]

Thank you for sharing. I dont work overseas often and its good to know the differences.

[@limchyehock6722]

Neighbourhood coffee shops open at 5am. Some hawkers at my hawker centre opens at 430 am!!

[@tanhuachan]

What a great video. I watched till the end.

[@MaxChernov]

🙏

[@faridhossin2983]

Hey Mike.... Sounds Singlish Laah, thats was solid and interesting topic, Thanks for sharing your great channels....Cheers!!!...😉😚

[@limchyehock6722]

Are you sure you don’t see anybody on the streets in Singapore at 6am? Have you seen schoolchildren waiting for school bus in the dark?

[@muhammadfairuzsamsi7209]

Let's just say he don't live in the heartlands.

[@limchyehock6722]

@@muhammadfairuzsamsi7209 Of course he won't bump into anyone at 6am at Shenton Way or Robinson Road. Try East Coast or West Coast Parks or any parks at 6am or even earlier he will see many people cycling, jogging, walking dogs, doing Tai Chi, Chikong or just simply walking. Not just Australians but people of all races. He should try going to any HDB neighbourhood at 5-6 am and people going to work, children going to school, uncles and aunties having breakfast at coffee shops or hawker centres and wet market bustling.

[@androsc1418]

@@muhammadfairuzsamsi7209 if he was living or near heartlands, he couldn’t miss the coffee shops or some hawker stalls opening at 6am.

[@limchyehock6722]

@@androsc1418 Some hawkers at my hawker centre open for business at 4.30 am !!!!

[@androsc1418]

@@limchyehock6722 Yes, also 24-hr Indian Muslim Prata shops

[@littlepixie2023]

@MaxChernov ... *Hi Max, I enjoy watching all your interviews!* *Please keep them coming, thank you!*

[@fokerfakerfuker]

The call could be to make a reservation, cancellation, changes in reservation or even takeaway orders etc etc. It could also be that the person is not used to foreign accent and is repeating to make sure that he got the right message. I really dont see what is there to complain about in that case. it only takes a few more seconds to say " yes, reservation"

[@Jack-hy2ki]

Or asking operating hours.

[@clarencelai4143]

Great insights, another blessed reminder that Singapore is a great place to live 😊

[@niknah]

I like the interview style, you just let people talk and they have a lot of interesting things to say.

[@limchyehock6722]

But most of the time Not accurate. Lots of factual errors.

[@limchyehock6722]

Shops in the Malls open at 10-11am but they close at 10-11pm. Unlike in Australia after 5pm cannot buy anything.

[@irenemak3149]

After 5pm go back home 😂

[@ylein6508]

Come back to Australia, you will realise rental here has also increased a lot. Australian customer service is friendlier but half of the time they are really very friendly on the surface but gave me zero solution to the issue at hand. Sg customer service is efficient and solution oriented

[@TheJorrry]

Its about cultures. Our Asian customer services seem rude to Westerners because mostof us tend to be shy and timid when dealing with custormers

[@mkngpauline]

Western service greet with how are you and small talk, while Asian service go straight to the point and get things done as fast as possible. 😂. Anyway, i agree our service staff lacks proper training bec of high turnovers and poorly respected. Many are doing it as part-timers and many are foreigners.

[@davidgrant7297]

Gotta say after watching a few of your videos of foreigners in Singapore, they all paint Singapore as a wonderful place, with few criticisms. Its totally one sided. You will never really get anyone on video telling the truth about Singapore when they are still living there. None of them mention or if they do, they merely gloss over, the lack of freedom of speech, the suppressed democracy, the exorbitant cost to own a car or tiny flat, the death penalty for carrying small amounts of marijuana, the dissatisfaction of locals over so many foreigners etc etc. Yes it may be safe and yes its a decent place to live but being the most expensive city in the world means you pay so much for so little. And lets not forget the heat....its summer year round. There are a lot of places in the world to live.

[@yeezeey4037]

Aye! coffee shops (or "kopi tiams") in the heartlands opens much earlier. The one opposite my flat opens at 5am daily. And it is definitely not a unique case. open the door to Singapore's heartland's culture and it is where the real Singapore exist.

[@weekahhuat6285]

I guess he never go Kopi Tiam

[@limchyehock6722]

@@weekahhuat6285 Starbucks or Coffee Bean type. Atas coffee not our kopi o kosong.

[@shadowj3311]

Most hawkers center servers breakfast at 5-6 am too.

[@furrywaffle]

He only hide in his white person bubble, 100%. Ask him if he ever heard of Yew Tee, or Bukit Batok, he would think it's a place in Malaysia or something. Work 20 years but don't know or what to assimilate.

[@buythaiproperty]

Many Singaporeans are up by 6am going to work or school. Many hawker centres & 'coffeeshops' are open for breakfast at 6am. The MRT is also packed at 6am. He obviously doesn't live in the HDB heartlands where 80% of Singaporeans reside.

[@class6aa]

Yah wet markets can open as early as 3am, kuei shops opens as early as 4am, hawker as early as 5am. But it’s is true that asians prefers to start office work layer though.

[@AndorranStairway]

The interesting thing about the time is that Singapore is geographically located along the same longitude as Jakarta and Thailand, both regions of which follow GMT +7. But because of some colonial policies, Singapore and Malaysia follow GMT +8 instead. So technically, 6am in Singapore would feel like 5am in many other countries. It varies in Sydney because of the seasons, but for most of the year, the sun rises much earlier there, and so it is much easier for the body clock to adjust to it. But not that it matters much, because if you aren’t too picky with your breakfast, you can definitely find places to eat at 6am in Singapore.

[@ylein6508]

Yes the sun in australia sets very early (as early as 5plus) and rises very early so our body clock adjusts with it too.

[@huaiwei]

You mean longitude rather than latitude. Our longitude is much closer to Cambodia than it is to either Thailand or Jakarta. Singapore adopted the current time of GMT+8 only in 1982 to be aligned with the rest of Malaysia. It has nothing to do with colonialism by then. And Malaysia chose GMT+8 to have a single standard time across Eastern and Peninsular Malaysia also since 1982. Way back before 1905, our time was GMT+06:55:25, which is the closest to our actual time according to our longitude.

[@AndorranStairway]

@@huaiwei I thought I typed longitude. I’ve edited it. You’re right about the Malaysian part. I got it mixed up with the daylight saving ordinance bill introduced by the British.

[@KCHSG]

This guy takes care of his body well. I like his honesty towards the last 3 questions as well 😁

[@angeluscorpius]

Just a theory here about the "Hello... Reservation?" over the phone @1:30. Because Singapore is a multi-lingual society, we should not assume that the caller is conversant in English, so the initial exchange -- "Hello", "Hello", "I'd like to make a reservation." "Reservation?" may be establishing the language to be used for that conversation. (The initial "Hellos" is too universal to establish that English should be used.) - Just my (defensive, Singaporean) opinion.

[@Sky-8646]

Restaurant workers mostly are from Malaysia..

[@MaxChernov]

Makes sense actually

[@limchyehock6722]

Receptionist repeats because he or she just want to confirm some people call to complain.

[@phillip244]

​@@Sky-8646 I was waiting for this. Typical S'porean, blame somebody else.

[@danceoffAsh]

Aiyah stop defending bad customer service. Get Filipinos in place, they are amazing at customer service. Part of why I patronise certain places is due to good customer service.

[@jbrkjferkjbekjb]

It really amazes me how well spoken the foreigners on your channel are. They speak in a way which captures attention so well. It's one thing i find lacking in Singaporeans. Our conversations tend to be more mundane, and people resort to having to use profanities in dialects just to make a point or joke.

[@limchyehock6722]

Shops in Australia close at 5pm!

[@aliu8914]

No. You can get a drink and food early in Singapore easily too at Hawker Centre. I don't understand this man said he can't get food in the morning in Singapore???

[@leewn2319]

About the telephone call to restaurant’s answering the call with “reservations?” is actually not being stupid / rude but up in their mind the caller may be making particular enquiries before booking a reservation.

[@limchyehock6722]

He just wants to ridicule and thinks it's funny.

[@ivanlow9292]

Hi Max, i am a local here. i think by now all the comments will mention that you can start getting breakfast very early in the morning because its a big deal for asian culture. Not just Singapore. Its not true when its said that nothing opens before 11am. Every Singaporeans will defend that. But i really trully appreciate your vids. Continue the excellent works. I especially love it when u can find caucasian Singlish speaking PR or Expats. Haaaaaa

[@lucyfiniarel2347]

Are people in liverpool equally welcoming to you if you're Asian / look visibly different? Real question, because I felt there was a distance between me and the locals and when I studied in Manchester.

[@rjflores438]

There is no way that I would move to a country that regularly increases rent by 100% when my tenancy ends. Thats daylight robbery!

[@jamiesworld1690]

Awesomeness

[@WWK186]

Singaporean service standard can be improved with more helpfulness, smiles, patience and product knowledge. Staff can be trained on how to manage demanding requests in a polite manner.

[@tocalvary9457]

What to do? Not enough manpower. Many F&B staff are overworked and stressed out.

[@jeremyemilio9378]

Idc how you serve me as long as a get what I paid for in reasonable time

[@Jo-lz4ie]

30k+ per mth, detached hse, can lah 😊

[@Jo-lz4ie]

9:45 👍 to Max

[@MaxChernov]

🙏

[@conwaylai8562]

Dude, you should visit Perth... I did and breakfast starts 8.30am. Everything is closed at 5pm (by 4.45pm, staff looks ready to close up).

[@Henry-ve3ye]

I moved from Melbourne to Singapore last year. I got an offer from a restaurant chain and start working as manager. First thing I realized about the Food and Beverage industry in Singapore. Customer service is so bad here. But I understand that it is normal due to how the local and some Indian expat treat the service staff. I was shocked how they treat you like a lower class citizen. lol. I have never seen that kind of customer in Australia before.

[@sktoh4469]

True. Customer service is non existent or absymal in Singapore. As manager, if you train your staff to be half as service oriented as their counterparts in western soceity, that would be a great step forward.

[@energy12211]

Hah. So true literally got into an argument with a restaurant manager yesterday. It's absolutely insane

[@QzSG]

Singapore is actually closer to like GMT+7, which is why the sun seems to rise later but actually rather our time is faster

[@MS113MS]

Everything is different in Singapore verses that in Australia, or anyother places on Earth. I am Malaysian, and I also find a lots of differences in Australia in how people talk, act or react, it is all differences in life styles, culture etc. We all have certain expectations on people we interact with. But differences places will have differences. It is not weird. 😊

[@DBE008]

To me weird is interesting, it is different than what we are use too.. Parents & teachers use to say stranger danger. Some kids use to say normal is boring. That's why I think weird is another way of saying interesting. Differences make things interesting, makes people interesting.

[@jeremyemilio9378]

@@DBE008 is Penang the most Chinese dominant place in all of Malaysia?

[@mengsiongkheng113]

Deal with it, a different place different culture. I wake up at 4am, love the quite, cool temperature, lots of space to walk or for others to cycle. You get the plusses and minuses.

[@bc2238]

you can call a restaurant to ask about a number of things especially planning occasions like corkage, cake restrictions

[@BelajarEksporImpor]

why is the voice and video really not matching up? usually it's not like this

[@miaouscleaumonocle]

About police presence in the streets, when I was an exchange student in Singapore yeaaaaaaars ago, I made the same remark, not many uniforms in the streets for a 'fine city'. A local friend told me 'Not seeing the police does not mean they're not here, there are supposed to be many in plain clothes'. Apparently, this 'policemen in plain clothes' thing, whether it was true or an urban legend, was a powerful deterrent for local people at that time...

[@fizajohari]

He comes across just a wee-bit "atas"... After reading the comments, I think the grass is "always" greener on the other side. And no, I don't think the tipping culture should be implemented in Singapore. An adequate salary is a much better approach than heavy reliance on tips for survival. And yes, I've lived in the US, Canada, Germany (here now), Italy, and am Singaporean.

[@MaxChernov]

Agree with Mike or not?

[@Armsbruh]

On everything but the damn vegemite😂. Stuff is horrendous

[@MaxChernov]

@@Armsbruh hahaha

[@gumballdarwin2330]

Max, as the Singaporean, all are true. For all foreigners (include the rich ones), You need to study and survey the island if it rights for you.

[@inflextion]

during my time in Freemantle beach area in Perth (But, I also go to Melbourne, Brisbane for volunteer work... not religious btw) I leave my phone, wallet and belongings at our hut. I can run 1.5 click one direction and back to our hut. Nothing is stolen.... plus the beach you can run barefoot without fear for getting gashed by glass or any metallic residue. I very much want to try Darwin next...

[@kwangc6720]

I totally agree that Singapore's service standard is horrendous compared to many other places. People here don't say "Hi/thank you" often, and they often have unhappy faces. While we don't give tips to the waiters and waitresses here, there is a hefty 10% service charge (for an almost non-existent service!) and a donation of a final 8% to the profiteering government. But I vehemently disagree with the interviewee that it's fair to have Singaporean jobs "stolen" by foreigners. It's easy for him to say that because he's that white man coming over here to work. I'm sure back in his own country, what Australia or the UK, there would be protests or racially-charged sentiments denouncing foreigners taking over their jobs. It's laughable also to assert that the best get to join the Singapore government. Mikey obviously is commenting again as a foreigner here. Or he hasn't been here long enough. The Singapore government is notorious for practicing nepotism and cronyism. They get their own family members, relatives and incompetent ex-military generals to head certain high ministerial positions. Most of them aren't smart at all. In fact, there have been a good handful of occasions where some of them bungled their tasks yet they are continually allowed to dance through blamelessly, taking charge of one ministry after another. On top of that, the Singapore government shamelessly pay themselves literally millions of dollars every year per person. They are the world's highest politicians controlling a tiny island-state. WOW. They don't seem to ever retire as well!

[@janemuses3031]

Yes he is right about the customer service differences and its more cultural-based (Chinese and Indian probably) since service is nicer in Thailand, Japan where tipping is not the norm. But in some Asian countries - at least in Singapore (and worse in Hong Kong) where it's expected to be brisk and not given to niceties. It's not really offensive since one just adjusts. And quite different from bad service which can be found anywhere. I have noticed that none of the expats you interview will ever say anything bad about the government for the obvious reason they are afraid of being booted out which is something I would say is different from the US. One can criticize to one's content without fear of repercussions - a thing called freedom of speech. Sadly that makes these interviews somewhat insipid - kinda like in an interview where the interviewer asks you: what are your weaknesses and you say...well I tend to overwork and not understand life balance. But kudos to you for trying to come up with interesting topics LOL.

[@viktor.egelund]

10:05. Except police at Changi walking patrols inside the terminal with machine pistols in hand.

[@shadowj3311]

Obviously he didn’t merge into the life of Singapore still.

[@honeygoseyney2421]

As of now, most people working in FNB are foreigners, specifically Malaysian or individuals from a certain class that are not the most verse of western culture. I am not saying they are rude, just that in Singapore culture...as long we get things done fast that's all that matters

[@user-ni6kx3ww3r]

this is not entirely accurate. Rent in Singapore fell or stagnant from 2012-2020. It jumped up only after Covid. It will moderate in the near future, but lets be fair, rent has been pretty stable before this spike.

[@darkwofe]

always live within your means

[@DionThorpe]

Plus plus includes the tip.

[@MaxChernov]

yes but it doesn't correlate with the level of service

[@sgtmwong]

Echoing most of the commenters here, try to venture more into the heartlands, where most people are up & about by 6am especially during the weekdays. Many would be either preparing for work or school, while others trying to complete their workout before the blazing sun is out.

[@prst99]

Immigration does take jobs away from locals to a limited degree. The benefits of immigration outweighs the negatives. Immigration raises the skill level that locals need to compete against, while the foreigners are cherry picked for their existing skill. It’s a net gain for the nation, but makes it difficult for the locals.

[@StevenSmith-mv4ge]

Rent is not the only thing to take note of.

[@jonho7848]

My experience with restaurant service is opposite in countries that need to give tips. The good service from the restaurant is because of the tip. It feels so artificial and not from the heart for services offered to customers.

[@Jo-lz4ie]

There are real FTs we need and there are some of them we really don’t need lol

[@Jack-hy2ki]

So how MOM gonna determine who is good and who is no good? 😅 Btw local is also not all good or needed, should they leave too? 😅

[@irenetan1934]

The repetition is actually re confirm that you are Are making a reservation. Many phone calls are also many other for other enquirer

[@garamgarum4898]

I studied and worked in Sydney many years ago. Very nice place. A lot of restaurants and coffee shops near our University . The weather in spring is very nice. People are mostly friendly. They wont judge you whether you are local or foreigner based on your accent and whether you can speak their language very well or not.

[@impopquiz]

It’s called patience. I think it comes with their slightly more laid back lifestyles. :-)

[@-02312]

Not true, Australian are rather racist, comparatively (with the Brits).

[@juanpablo-hz3dq]

Living in Singapore is going to keep you poor, unless you are the kind of person who needs to be in that very expensive place in order to financially succeed. But that doesn't describe most people in Singapore. They could do what they do for a living elsewhere

[@Sky-8646]

If no strict rules in Singapore you won’t see people putting their phone on the table and order food.

[@MaxChernov]

it's a cultural thing already

[@AndorranStairway]

I don’t know why interviewees keep mentioning this. I personally have never left my phone or wallet on tables unattended and I don’t know anyone who does that. I don’t think it’s as common a habit as people claim it is

[@robgoh9392]

You seem to forget you are not in Australia and that you chose to come to Singapore and Singapore did not go to you. Whatever comments you make, let us say that we are happy with our life style and do not have to conform to your whims n fancy.

[@piggydives]

If he cannot find anywhere open at 6am, he got a huge ego problem. Singapore is known for their 24hr coffee shops and Prata shops, and most Kopitiams are already open by 6:30am. He has the choice...except he is not getting what he likes.

[@SubZero-qi9hk]

CraZy LiTTle Thing CaLLed LoVe

[@amyg1073]

❤❤❤

[@bukapintu5371]

Btw, do make note of daylight savings; we are 1 hour earlier than it should be. The British moved 30 minutes ahead, and subsequently we moved another 30 minutes to be in line with both East Malaysia and West Malaysia

[@tssnmm]

Anyone needs to rent a room in Woodlands? I have two common rooms available from Jan 2024. Very spacious as it's a resale 5 room flat.

[@Kimmi7581]

As a Singaporean, we miserable bunch. Yes the stats of being the most stressed and overworked in the world is true. Till Govt and employers care more bout people’s well being society will continue to rot.

[@XZ_B94]

I'm Singaporean and I agree. The country is very well-run and safe but somehow living in Sg just makes life feel like a chore? It's like we're all in a pressure cooker.

[@limpingnad8100]

You should try working in construction as a foreigner in Singapore. You’ll see the dark side of Singapore. They will require you to work till Sunday without OT pay. You’ll be asked to be the designer, labourer,site supervisor, project manager all at the same time without any overtime or pay increase and worst the govt knows it. MOA came to inspect our job-site saw that the project manager and worker are one person made remarks such us this is not acceptable blah blah but turned a blind eye, plus locals are hostile to you as a foreigner working in Singapore they will try to make you look unqualified and dumb for your position just because you are not a local. A local superior told me to do this do that then flipped and blamed me for not doing it correctly when I just followed his instructions. They also declare you are receiving a certain amount of salary of say 3k but you need to return half of it to the company just to show they payed you 3k salary in your payslip but in reality you get only 1.5k Singapore is exploitative trust me i’ve experienced it for 5 yrs!

[@cheenangng4050]

our government have talked about foreigners creating jobs for Singaporeans for about two decades now, have seen many foreigners consuming but have yet to see any creation... I know how it sounds but how many jobs have u created?

[@sktoh4469]

Probably none. 😂

[@two02ful]

The government are in need of allot more money then you can imagine for the maintenance of those F35 and the upgrading of it military facilities demanded by America. Many of those money of Chinese origin that fled the West are from Chinese origin from usa and Europe. The rest of the money goes to Hong Kong. Those black money that fled to singapore allot of them flow into the property market that’s why the property market private and public housing are so heated up. Those that are previously on rental are now sold to new buyer at sky high price so as a result the rental price also shot up 2 to 3 times from the previous price. All property transacted taxes are levied. Like I have say the government are badly in need of money but definitely it is not sustainable that directly are causing unnecessary high inflation.

[@impopquiz]

I can understand a Scouser!! 😅😅😅 He’s probably toned down his accent after living in so many countries.

[@MaxChernov]

lol

[@sneo7470]

👍👏💪🇸🇬

[@RUHappyATM]

It might not be zero-sum within SIN, but it is globally.

[@m.andrewdocumentary]

Lol I love it how Singaporean call Australians lazy, yet no business is open before 9am 😂

[@MaxChernov]

actually lots of local food courts are open from 6am

[@emileguertin]

A few interesting insights but he seems out of touch with the realities of life in Singapore for average working Singaporeans. I used to live there for years and respect the country highly. But I dont think I could move back there as a lifestyle choice any more. The expat kool aid ran out for me some time ago.

[@dawnho7744]

Funny that Max asked Mike: Vegemite toast or kaya toast. Shouldn't it be Marmite instead since He's a Brit?

[@MaxChernov]

Became Australian citizen also :)

[@SuccessforLifester]

Seems like everything was out of sync. The audio and the video and the subtitles

[@MaxChernov]

Hmm.. what time code ?

[@SuccessforLifester]

Okay now is alright. Yesterday I was watching it out of sync the whole video. Maybe some glitch

[@jessicamong1586]

UK govt is so smart, they party away in the office during Covid lockdown.

[@raymondetan7779]

HDB kopitiam open at 6am.

[@yangtzeling7468]

1) If people reserve their tables with their mobile phones in Singapore , it only proves how safe Singapore is. Clearly , Singaporeans will not do this in Australia or America. 2) Thank God there’s no damn tipping culture in Singapore. I’d rather put up with slow service than pay an additional 25% on tips on top of my bill. The tipping culture breeds entitlement and hypocrisy. 3) It annoys you that the other person working in the restaurant confirms your reason for calling ? People could be calling regarding cancellation of reservation. 4) It frustrates you that you can’t find food at 6am ? How about making your own breakfast ?

[@MaxChernov]

Why so defensive?

[@yangtzeling7468]

@@MaxChernovI’m sure your audience are not expected to be 100% agreeable right ?

[@axianskin]

Every one is entitled to their opinion , foreigners or local. But one must learn to differentiate fact from opinion to make compelling argument.😎

[@gregoryp9813]

Leave phone on table? My wife's bike got stolen last month, my shoe , bike accessories, family's clothes , even tissue from dining table also stolen. I left my powerdrill at the void deck , i realized in the lift and went down but it was not there anymore. It is just like any other big city. Of course if you live in a bubble in condo with 30+++K salaries this will not happen. This guy going to hawker like us with his 30++K salary ? 🤣

[@papi8659]

Customer service in the USA is dreadful. just legalised begging, eating out in the US is such an unpleasant experience.

[@kidsauthordave1463]

It's not just phone behaviour. It's behaviour in general. It's just plain rude. Bad customer service all around.

[@erictradejeon9881]

many condo owners became monster

[@limchyehock6722]

Singlish is not just lah . Wait till you get into advance Singlish.

[@TheJorrry]

Max I could tell you had itchy throat during this interview Lol

[@MaxChernov]

how do you know haha?

[@user-jr5rt8nk9d]

Now everybody will try to reach Steve Jobs 😂

[@fredw3254]

Wake up early in the morning,try going to market food stall,you will have many choices for breakfast

[@gparamaeswary7276]

Lesser tax

[@cukcan]

I hope I can find a job in Singapore very soon. I really would like to live and work there. Greetings from Turkey.