Culture Shock Moments Foreigners Had When They Moved to Singapore (UK vs France vs HK vs Canada)

[@thesmartglobal]

If you've recently (or not so recently) moved to Singapore and interested in appearing on Culture Shock to share your views and experiences, drop us an email at [e-mail]!

[@ArthurLewin-ov4cw]

Thank you again for the invitation guys, it was a nice moment ! ✌🏻😉

[@thesmartglobal]

Hope to have you on again!! ☺️

[@uwet.8826]

Welcome to Singapore.

[@azzz_ure]

When Nicole said that Singaporeans don't dress up a lot, I agree. We underdress. We wear Pajamas out of the house and that would be considered normal 😂

[@thesmartglobal]

The number of times we’ve visited a neighborhood mall in pyjamas…🥹

[@azzz_ure]

@@thesmartglobal real

[@yut576]

It's due to the merciless heat we experience all year round.

[@William3666Evans]

Do you live in pjs 😂many respects 🇸🇬 from 🇬🇧

[@William3666Evans]

Great video many respects 🇸🇬 from 🇬🇧

[@Mstorichan_]

Thank you TSL for for having me! Had such a great time chatting about all things Singapore 🥳

[@thesmartglobal]

Hope to have you on the panel again 😛

[@jt5566]

Hey, fellow Canadian in Singapore!🎉

[@jt5566]

@言行一致 don't know what you're getting at ...

[@Mstorichan_]

@@jt5566Hello! Whoo! Go Canadians in SG 🎉🇨🇦

[@leewn2319]

When I first went to London some 13 yrs ago, I finally got to understand why Londoners love the sun. I was walking along the covered five foot way of a row of shops and it was chilly. When I stepped out into the open the sunlight hits me and I felt the beauty of the warm sunshine.

[@Whatis2468]

Totally agreed.

[@WONDERLUSTworld]

Thanks for having me along, interesting topic and great to hear other perspectives.

[@thesmartglobal]

Hope to see you on the panel again 😘

[@Whatexactlyispeace]

Singapore is a great place. Whenever, I come back from overseas and am on the plane overlooking Changi airport, I feel proud. Singapore is not perfect but no where in the world is. There are many disgruntled Singaporeans complaining about the country and I really wonder if they have actually travelled overseas. Our housing, public transport, safety is top notch on a global standard and i love being in Singapore.

[@Whatis2468]

Totally agreed, I appreciate what the SG had done for the country.

[@sumit6190p]

Singaporeans don't know how lucky and privileged they are.

[@leongyet9896]

Blame the government for feeding them too well and don't know what is hard life lol

[@jimw8615]

U appreciate Sg better after living overseas

[@fr0sty1983]

If you compare housing with those Country with more expensive housing sure. But once you compare what we had before to now. You will know that much have change and not for the better.

[@grys9245]

Arthur commented that his countrymen might be rude too but he was so considerate and polite when speaking! I think this was an interesting video in general and i enjoyed hearing about these honest observations. Hope you guys (the guests) continue enjoying your time here! =) The hosts did a good job as well!

[@adventureassemblies9230]

Ahhh that’s Millie from Wonderlust!! Love her and the family - most underrated channel in SG!!

[@WONDERLUSTworld]

Aww thank you!!

[@shengsterino]

8:25 When Victoria explained Dim Sum so well I'm 100% sure her family were the Hong Kong-Canadians! She's more Hong Kong than Nicole to me

[@aleech123]

i honestly think chilli sauce is a SEA thing , if you have taken McDonald's anywhere outside SEA you know there is no such thing as a chilli sauce, there is siracha but no chilli sauce

[@KpopUnniesUwU]

Yeah so truee.

[@xxsucrose_sugarxx3325]

What’s siracha?

[@aleech123]

Sriracha is a type of hot sauce or chili sauce made from a paste of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. Sriracha. - from wikipedia. sorry for my typo

[@Nniching]

😍😍happy to have such great discussion with u guyyyyysss

[@thesmartglobal]

Hope to see you again soon!! 😍

[@icilike]

Enjoyed listening to all your guests comments. Their observations are many that i also learned on my trips overseas. An open mind allows us to understand each other more and where the other is coming. It also teaches us to be more appreciative of our home country Singapore. Its not perfect but it is Home 😉. Thanks for coming to share it with us.

[@rileystein6195]

I lived in Singapore for 6 years and my biggest regret is leaving Singapore. I'd give anything to move back permanently and wouldn't mind discarding my citizenship too. I loved everything about Singapore when I first moved there and over time. The weather, singlish, the food, efficient mrt, cleanliness, and how in order everything is. Since moving back to U.S., I have not stopped comparing everything to Singapore. Unfortunately, I lost my PR and even though I tried, I couldn't find a job that had quota to get me a work visa.. 😔

[@ShadowRap-y5l]

How did you lose your PR

[@rileystein6195]

@@ShadowRap-y5l I was not notified when to renew it after I left sg. My intention was always to come back. I tried to get a job to come back and reapply, but no quota in my industry.

[@leongyet9896]

Wishing you the best of luck. Hope you can return soon!

[@superlynnie]

@@rileystein6195 That's a shame. One of the PR requirements for most countries is that the country is your main residence. There's a minimum period you need to be in the country every year etc.

[@superlynnie]

@言行一致 reservist is not lifelong.

[@PixelAdventure]

Had an awesome time filming with you all 🥳

[@thesmartglobal]

Hope to see you again on the panel 😇

[@Timholle]

Unfortunately, many Singaporeans are getting too pampered they don’t get how blessed they are here

[@thestaringenclave]

Arthur seems Iike a very smart person. He listens and doesn’t overspeak. The points he shares are also unique and rather impactful.

[@dorischong2518]

love this series already. can't wait for more! I must say Victoria from Canada has a really pleasant voice. Love her accent ^^

[@thesmartglobal]

We have more episodes coming up! Stay tuned. - Amanda

[@Vachalen]

1) Belgium colleague put his laptop bag beside him in Belgium while doing his airline thingy at the airline counter. Next thing he knew the laptop bag was gone 2) Was working at Jurong Island with a MNC. Contract manager was from Europe. Love the sun / heat so much. Everyday he will turn off the aircon in his temp office, considering he was dressed in long sleeve work clothes, mind you those are thick and not the typical long sleeve shirt you wear to office. I sweat every time I go into his office.

[@ChristinaTBenavente]

Went to Singapore for the first time in December and fell in love with the place and people. Really sitting at my desk looking for open school counseling/teaching positions there 😂

[@lizasealongo]

I was smiling the whole time watching this. I will go to Singapore tomorrow and i binge watch videos about SG.

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We appreciate your consistency on this channel. May God bless you all.

[@mindful47]

So sweet of u to notice that we do look out for our kids money ! We always want to instill honesty and good saving habits and good calculation skills in our children from young !

[@wyattearp88]

That Hong Kong lady have been localized, she didn't have the unique Hong Kong English Accent

[@kennySg101]

Good to look at yourself from a foreigner's eye. Honestly, Singaporeans are not the majority given the number of foreigners working here, the actual number can be shocking. But, Most Singaporeans are used to seeing foreigners and are quite open about it. But we have to more conscious about the cultural differences.

[@lzh4950]

@言行一致 In my CCA of ~20 students I think I was the only one who served NS

[@nikkikhooniqi]

Slippers is the most logical footwear in Singapore since it rains so often!

[@Imjenios90]

I quite agree, I was at the Jewel food court, I was ordering chicken rice. I've been waiting for him to see me. In the end, he kinda shouted at me like " what do you want ah? but no heart taken haha.. He softly said Thank you HAHA!!

[@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG]

It’s not that Singapore’s HDB flats are “hugh”. It’s that Hong Kong’s flats are inhumanely tiny which is caused by unregulated Land Sales to developers for the ultra Rich at the expence of the working class population of Hong Kong.

[@William3666Evans]

So it seems more 🇭🇰 buying places in 🇸🇬 many respects from 🇬🇧

[@sleepandrelaxation3395]

About the topic of choping, it is mostly about efficiency. If you go by yourself, you want to definitely have a seat after you get your food. The alternative of not choping is to wander around with food in hand for 10mins looking for a seat. If going as a group, if one person stay behind, the rest may take 10mins to get their food and the waiting person will spend another 10mins getting food. In total, 20mins of waiting time. If everyone just go together, then the waiting time is reduced and everyone buys, eats and finish up faster and give up the table faster as well. I have visited other cities and countries. There are alternatives : For example, in HK, usually the shop will have someone assign seats to ensure efficiency. This works very well, however, that requires additional manpower. In western countries, most places are generally much bigger with more tables than customers, there is generally no reason to chope seats/tables.

[@alvinlam5961]

I believe "chope" is a colloquial word - not from stamp (chop) but claim/reserved.

[@philipanzelmo9711]

More of this kind of stories please.Maybe you guys can produce a series and get guests from the middle east,South and Central America and other exotic locations.

[@SakiruEiji]

Dude I wanna know that. I want a middle Eastern pov of Singapore :O

[@impopquiz]

Stall uncles n aunties will look at you but only for a glance when u order. It’s enough for them to remember you. Don’t forget that most of them aren’t proficient in English so they just use the shortest form. Very Singlish lor. 😁

[@sameer_sah]

what a wholesome videos !! Really enjoyed the talk.

[@leeaznmode]

that french guy is so true... if you come to our country France ,be extremely aware of your stuff,even or especially in the subway because there's too many pickpockets

[@shengsterino]

Nice! TSL have finally came up with an English version of

[@ashmarsim]

Bro... Chope and Chop are 2 different things. Chope is from a children's game before the internet, it actually means "time out" or "safe" Chop, the Canadian go it, it's stamp.

[@jamesjiao]

That's such an interesting video to watch. Great meet!

[@Kangarooworld]

loving this new series so far :)

[@joyoftessa]

millie! from wonderlust!

[@thesmartglobal]

yes!! 😊

[@WONDERLUSTworld]

Hello 👋

[@ahyapchow2459]

SINGAPOREANS THEY SEEM TO HAVE OPEN MIND AND OPEN HEART.🤗

[@bvtfishing]

Nice! Thanks for the vid ❤

[@Hilltan1974]

Video too short, need more 😀

[@thesmartglobal]

We’ll take note! 😛

[@SCPtp]

I feel like we Singaporeans tend to look to other "privileged" countries alot for opinions and inspiration. Would be nice to hear from and understand interviewees from other places too.

[@William3666Evans]

You know your always welcome to 🇬🇧 many respects 🇸🇬

[@chumi05]

I like such conversations!! 💪😍👍 More pleaseee!!

[@fredwhitby3445]

SG rents are really realistically out of reach for the average worker now- Singaporeans or not. Most cannot even afford a studio and have to share a house or even share a room- it’s truly like subdivided housing in HK already. In the past year alone my one bedder has increased rent by 2.6k. Which is absurd. Renting a 4 room flat is of course huge to you; but how many average workers could afford that? Please stop rising prices in SG by saying it’s cheap.

[@HengOngHuatAh]

Most Singaporeans don’t rent, they own flats.

[@fredwhitby3445]

@@HengOngHuatAh Nope I’m a born and bred Singaporean and am renting because am single and yet to be 35yo. There are also MANY Singaporeans renting as their BTOs are delayed, toxic families, families being overseas, no families, etc. etc.

[@HengOngHuatAh]

@@fredwhitby3445 no wonder, too bad then cus the Govt’s priority will always be married couples and families. Wait a few more years till 35 then buy resale or apply for 2 room bto. Application rate for 2 room is significantly lower and easier to get.

[@leongyet9896]

@Fred Whitby This one no choice,last 2 years covid,the construction side manpower all affected.

[@johnjacobs7340]

Wait till they come out w an episode saying the cars are cheap

[@64ytb]

Once in Chiangmai, I left my pouch on the rented bike front basket thinking it should be quite safe, I was dead wrong. A motorbiker rode next to me and just take it and zoom off. I was so shocked. Luckily I left all my cards in the hotel safe and lost some money and a small camera.

[@tong875]

Thailand is way more dangerous,you can't do that plz be aware..from thai

[@7eeYeaH]

Whenever I go overseas and see someone in their flip flops or sandals, I'd go, "This one confirm Singaporean!"

[@daphneg5712]

Million in the UK would be some farm? I don't think you can get that in London? It's apples and oranges

[@elaine1520]

love this new series

[@logesh07]

Nice video about sharing the experiences of different countries people. It would great if you can include the south asian countries India and other SEA like Philippines and Vietnam as well.

[@edwardalcantara66]

With regards to laptop left at Starbucks. I think i saw a youtube video of a guy to test whether it is safe to leave things around in Singapore.

[@aero.l]

What Arthur said is super true. We tend to take the safety of SG for granted. My friend left his luggage and another friend's in the back seat of the car when in JB despite my advice not to do that. Sure enough, when we went back after dinner, the windows were smashed and everything was stolen except for mine which I left in the boot.

[@RonLarhz]

So? My ezlink card was stolen within 5mins. I was threaten by an insecure ah beng and another time with a racist malay family. Sg also not as safe as people think.

[@johnchua9387]

@@RonLarhz Calling someone Ah Beng is not racist? You certainly has double standard. How was your EZlink card stolen and interestingly you even know the time it took to be stolen? Mind you there 1.4 million foreigners living among us, I doubt any Singaporean would be interested in your EZlink card.

[@aero.l]

@@johnchua9387 Exactly.. must be a really stupid person.

[@hongxianggan5292]

very engaging and fun. learnt a lot about other places in the world

[@Towkeeyoh]

Great series to start guys!

[@jimw8615]

It’s true that British are very polite in general. I find it weird when I am in uk. However, hongkie are very rude. Esp those not on hkg island. Good to get some yanks to the shows.

[@shurinhaha]

I think I've seen Arthur on TikTok before (the one who struts around Singapore in pyjamas?). Or they just look alike haha.

[@joytheshbang]

This is really good haha I feel exactly the same ways when I first moved to Singapore!! Lollll sooooo funny GREAT JOB VICTORIA!! 🥳🥳🥳

[@Kiki-lp6sr]

Singapore wasn't always this safe tho.. When I was growing up if you leave your cash card in your reader your window is gonna get smashed. Good it's not like that anymore

[@billytan7871]

I intended to go to Finland and Canada for works is there similarity between these two countries?

[@Joeyxyx]

Two different countries. One in Europe & one in NA.

[@LJK_TE_20127CSIE]

I just keep laughing like the ‘chop’ chop something In half😂😂😂

[@thesmartglobal]

To be honest as Singaporeans we never noticed that we called it chop 😂

[@LJK_TE_20127CSIE]

@@thesmartglobal hahaha

[@juzwantukkomen5595]

Isn't the french guy the guy whom some people at tiktok hated him because he allegedly made fun of Singapore's culture?

[@dorischong2518]

i thought so too! i was still wondering if he was that French dude on tiktok

[@Bella-wp7wz]

What did he do?

[@rudro2387]

@@Bella-wp7wz he didn’t do anything it was just a comedic harmless tiktok vid he posted alot of people laughed but one overly sensitive sporean made a vid abt it cos he got offended.

[@xfirefox_x]

Harmless humour la. The one who is shameless is kirapeace

[@leongyet9896]

Low crime doesn't mean no crime. Still have to stay alert though

[@Bella-wp7wz]

I love the hosts ❤

[@tancolvis5240]

Hdb is not cheap worker income don’t increase 20k a year while hdb pricing every quarter is more then 5k and more while income don’t match

[@cheongcheryl2873]

My daughter wants the toy that zhin is holding 🤭😅

[@tttan1843]

I am Singaporean but had a big culture shock here once when I went to help pick up my colleague client alone in my car. The client came and sat at the back seat of my car??? Maybe he felt I was the chuferer. But my colleague did told him that I was his colleague. Hmmm 🤔

[@peackpr9]

Here in the US, or even when I go overseas to Thailand, Cambodia, Philipines or Malaysia, we are used to getting in the back seat of cabs or Uber here in the states. Or Grab in the other countries and taxis, that unless we are told it is ok to sit in the front seat we won't do it. Or maybe that is just me. If I was the client, I would have probably done the same unless you tell me it was ok to sit in the front.

[@huaiwei]

You will be in for a cultural shock then with younger Singaporeans who tend to do that too.

[@aero.l]

What's so shocking about it? Your colleague's client is by definition a client of your company. You're basically the company representative when meeting a client.

[@tttan1843]

@@peackpr9 I get it if it's a paid ride. Would u sit behind if it's a client or colleague that offers u a ride if you are the only one with him or her.

[@tttan1843]

@@aero.l well, like I said it's a cultural shocked to us here. It's an unwritten rule that if you're given a ride that is not paid for, you sit beside the guy that is driving you. I don't know about yr country, will you sit behind if it's an acquaintance, client is also a working partner. To us here it's rude as that makes the person driving you feel that he is a chufferer.

[@joycehamsters3452]

May i suggest that your honourable guests/speakers invited named the year AND month they came to Singapore.

[@timteoprod]

Use the right mics @TSL so much phasing in the audio

[@moxietiger]

not expect a very good information from this video... i mean, in a good way. Thank you for sharing this !

[@thesmartglobal]

Thank you!

[@P53eud0nym05]

Nicole here since sec 3, practically S’porean

[@Timholle]

See, that’s we need racial quotas in HDBs in Singapore. If not we won’t be as racially harmonious and will be segregated by racial districts. I love my malay & Indian neighbors, becus we share food too 😂

[@growaplant7444]

most of the countries fast food don't have chili sauce, think hong kong you can get thai chili sauce but need to pay for it.

[@danielsim4490]

Trunk what trunk. Boot lah. like no hood bonnet and no trolley but shopping cart. Chiak lak no singlish leh.

[@humoursque8447]

Culture shock for the banning if chewing gum, fine for loitering, capital punishment for drug trafficking, drunken and disorderly.

[@handlenameistaken]

no cannabis in singapore and thats a bummer

[@Tomor81]

There are two things Singaporean really need to be more aware of : 1) The way they dresse 2) No eye contact when met in the lift and No greeting either. Especiall the second point I consider it could be cold, rude or No confidence. they always say "because we are too shy". Actually being shy also a bit negative and can not be taken as an excuse to being cold and rude. In short, 不够得体.

[@tancolvis5240]

Reserve that sitting means chope yr sitting

[@lecherhao86]

I am a Singaporean. Regarding the chope culture, I will respect it but not follow it rigidity. It's not something that is glamorous and to be proud of. Choping is convenient for those who need a seat during rushed hours so that they can finish their meal and go back to work. But other than that, I really don't see any other advantage to this cultural phenomenon. If I clearly see that there are many belongings on the table, I will not sit down. But if it's just a pack of tissues on a big table, I will assume it's just one person, and I'll still sit down. When that person comes back, or a group of people comes back, I will say "let's share the table". The os in me is "I'm not leaving anyway." If the dining hall is full, why can't we Singaporeans share the table? Anyway, we eat and leave. An intelligent person wouldn't chat about business secrets or personal matter in the public. And I will practise what I preach. I am always cool when other people ask to join me at my table.

[@chunhoho4065]

Lmaooooo Nic is damn right abt dim sum

[@momokosakurada605]

its definitely not cheap at all to live and buy a house here. It also says that singapore is a safe country thats why people leave their things around

[@ianhomerpura8937]

Compared to the rest of Asia-Pacific, mainly cities in mainland China, somehow Singapore still manages to be cheaper.

[@momokosakurada605]

@@ianhomerpura8937 thats to mainlanders. as a singaporean its expensive especially for the current gen and only the ones that will benefit it being not ex is the one after us

[@EIJIHS]

remember heading to aussieland and the lady was greeting me asking me how's my day, where did i go and where should i visit. I was just too hungryyyyyyyyy hhahah totally rudeeee

[@akk6274]

ZHIN ZHIN ZHIN 😍😍😍

[@MrSebastianJOh]

Well... Singapore public housing prices are unfortunately becoming like Hong Kong.

[@jl6735]

If you are those very poor and needy, living hk for public fund is better than Singapore.

[@JohnSmith-nz2yq]

What's your point? Did the government jack up prices? Or is it simply that Singaporeans are richer as a whole?

[@YongShengOng]

@@JohnSmith-nz2yq To be sure, it isn't exactly as simple as Singaporeans getting richer as a whole - especially since there are widening income disparities Worldwide. Of course, it is also not that the Government is jacking up prices on the whim. It is based on the inflation of resources (materials and manpower) and land valuation. Some Singaporeans are asking that land for public housing should not be valued at market price, but that is incredibly myopic and makes little accounting sense. The only possible avenue is if the Government should increase subsidies (which they already do), and how much we are willing to give up on other budgets. That said, Singapore houses are still incredibly cheap compared to the City States of comparable economic circumstances.

[@ShadowRap-y5l]

SG is probably the easiest place for anyone to live in

[@wijayasalim8244]

indonesia near Singapore.

[@hamster7548]

if rudeness i think hongkong is next level. especially their cha chan teng

[@ihearyou235]

12:48 HILARIOUS OMG it’s so true HAHAHAHA

[@huaiwei]

Actually I felt it works because at least in pre-covid times, we do travel a lot? I mean I tend to buy winter clothing from Uniqlo during the year end which is perfect timing for my year end trips to Japan. ;)

[@WONDERLUSTworld]

😂 now I see that lots of people like to go to cold places I get it, but it was so odd to see gloves and thick jumpers for sale. I have one jumper just for the cinema here, it’s always so cold!!! 😅

[@qzurg]

my hongky parents will always complain when i wear slippers out…

[@anomiedada]

I remember I need curry sauce in HK.

[@Winson06]

Why eat macs at HK? Eat the local food there 😅

[@tulipsandpeaches1834]

Why make them sit on the floor? They look uncomfortable

[@jayaprakasha6227]

Nice Conversation

[@MomentOfMagic]

This is a great series! Maybe expanding the part about tips for Singaporeans moving overseas from a native’s perspective could be very useful!! It seems like there’s isn’t much information on these things out there.

[@thesmartglobal]

We gotcha! Adding this idea to the list ☺️

[@beanoyip06]

@wonderlust 😅

[@andrewchan4264]

Singapore HDB flats so cheap?!! 😂🤨😵‍💫

[@niwde7]

An Aussie will say you can hardly swing a cat in that room.

[@thesmartglobal]

😂😂😂

[@meloon5876]

Isn't it nice to come to a SAFE country?

[@yongchenseng4739]

A world with out 🌶

[@gtyt101]

Biggest culture shock: have to pay for university and healthcare.