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UK tourist gives SG thumbs-down for being the ‘most overrated city’ and ‘underwhelming place’ for its price

Anna Maria Romero
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UK tourist gives SG thumbs-down for being the ‘most overrated city’ and ‘underwhelming place’ for its price

SINGAPORE: A pair of travel vloggers from the United Kingdom called Singapore “the Most Overrated Place in the World” in a YouTube clip from last month.

However, the “World traveller and professional people finder” Gaz Wright had a lot of nice things to say about Singapore as well, although he added that he feels that the city is overly hyped up.

In a recent Instagram post, he even ranked Singapore 14th among the 15 countries he visited in the first four months of their Asian tour.

His main beef with The Little Red Dot seems to be all about how costly things are, including what he describes as the most expensive drink he’s ever bought.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gaz Wright (@garethwright2)

Mr Wright started with accommodations, giving a little tour of the room they booked for £100 (around S$173). While this rate is not cheap by the standard of other cities, it’s also not luxurious.

On the plus side, the room was bigger than they expected. On the minus side, it has a sink outside the bathroom. He also noted its cost could not be compared to the prices of accommodations in Vietnam.

They headed to CÉ LA VI SkyBar in Marina Bay Sands, where the price they paid for drinks made them the “worst backpackers in the world,” he joked, although he was all praises for the “phenomenal panoramic views.”

He paid £15 (S$26) for a pint of beer, which is far more than the £2 to £3 or even £7 a pint he pays back home in the UK.

At Raffles, he got the famed Singapore Sling for £30 (S$52), which he enjoyed but said the price was a “killer.”

They then visited the F1 track, which they also enjoyed, especially since it cost them nothing to get it and walk around.

However, Mr Wright says there’s no chance he’d come back for the real thing, given the prices of tickets and suites.

When they went to the light show at Gardens by the Bay, they found it disappointing, even though it was free, because they felt it was more for children than adults.

At the end of his video, Mr Wright said that Singapore is a good transit place, given the excellence of Changi Airport. The city can be seen on a 24-hour stopover, he said.

However, having spent three days and three nights in Singapore, he said there wasn’t much to do in the city and had to rack their brains for more things to do.

In the end, he did not give The Little Red Dot a thumbs-up and called it the most underwhelming place he’s ever been to, as it did not meet his high expectations. /TISG

Read also: Singaporeans praise tourist who spent US$100/day for “showing the world that it doesn’t cost thousands”

 

SIA passenger advised to “pre-order instead of complain” about lack of vegetarian options

Mary Alavanza
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0
SIA passenger advised to “pre-order instead of complain” about lack of vegetarian options

SINGAPORE: An anonymous member of a Singapore Airlines (SIA) Flyers online group recently shared a photo of a SIA passenger’s post complaining about the lack of vegetarian options on a business class flight from Newark to Singapore. The post quickly gained attention, with the complainant expressing frustration over the absence of a vegetarian choice for the long-haul flight.

The passenger wrote, “Frustrating how some airlines don’t care to have even a single vegetarian option in the default menu for a 16 hr long flight. @singaporeair you can do better.” While this complaint might seem valid at first glance, it sparked a lively debate among frequent SIA flyers, with many defending the airline and criticising the passenger’s lack of preparation.

One commenter suggested, “You can pre-order if you organise yourself instead of complaining. Self-entitlement at its best while parts of the world are starving.” A sentiment echoed by others who felt that the passenger’s complaint was unfounded given the availability of pre-order options for special meals.

Another user added, “If you’re a vegetarian, you should do the necessary and order a vegetarian meal for yourself. Only Indian airlines and flights to India have default vegetarian options due to the demographic of passengers flying them.”

Some commenters described the passenger as “another typical entitled person who thinks the world should revolve around them.”

The term “Karen” was even brought up, with one user questioning, “If you are a vegetarian and want to dine out, don’t you pre-check first to see if the restaurants offer vegetarian food before sitting and complaining about their menu offerings? Is this your first meal as a vegetarian? Are you a Karen?”

Another quipped, “There’s always cup noodles on board.”

A fellow vegetarian shared a contrasting experience, sharing,”I have travelled earlier and pre-ordered a vegetarian meal, it was served, had no issues, in fact, it was very delicious.”

Singapore Airlines’ website provides clear guidelines for ordering special meals. It states that passengers must select their special meal at least 24 hours before departure.

For flights departing from specific locations, different time frames apply: 48 hours prior for flights from Istanbul and 32 hours prior for flights from destinations like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bangkok, Brunei, Cebu, Da Nang, Darwin, Davao, Denpasar, Dhaka, Hanoi, Hyderabad, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Kochi, Male, Medan, Penang, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Siem Reap, Surabaya, Yangon.

However, not all special meals may be available on every flight, so passengers are encouraged to contact Singapore Airlines for assistance if none of the special meals cater to their dietary requirements.

To manage your booking and request your special meal check here. To explore other special meal options check here. /TISG

Read also: Concerned father seeks answers from SIA after daughter allegedly got stranded in Frankfurt for 2 days

Woman feels neglected by her husband, who keeps working even after his official work hours are over

Yoko Nicole
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0
Woman feels neglected by her husband, who keeps working even after his official work hours are over

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans are renowned worldwide for their strong work ethic, but for one woman, her husband’s dedication to his job has begun to strain their marriage. 

In a confession on r/askSingapore, she shared, “I get really annoyed when my husband comes home from work and continues working on his laptop/phone. For context, he works in a company that operates 24/7.”

“This has been on-going for months, since he switched departments. I feel that this is affecting our relationship and he’s neglecting our marriage.”

The woman elaborated that her husband manages operations at a logistics company, spending a total of 9.5 hours away from home each day, including work hours and commute time.

However, even after returning at 8pm, he remains immersed in his work. She expressed that she wanted to spend more time with him, as her job frequently requires her to travel abroad, often keeping her away from Singapore for extended periods.

“He can’t even spend at least 1 hour with me without him looking at his phone. He’s always replying to work related text. This happens EVERY SINGLE DAY. It frustrates me,” she wrote.

“Whenever I get mad at him for not spending enough time with me after work, he says I’m not understanding. If I need to be understanding towards his work commitment after work hours, then who can be understanding towards my feelings?”

She got even more upset when she found out that he doesn’t actually have to entertain all work chats and that he has a choice in the matter.

“Earlier when I was getting annoyed, he actually told his boss in a friendly manner than I’m getting upset about this after work hour discussion and his boss was very understanding and said they should continue the discussion at work tomorrow,” she said.

“I want to know if this is a norm for most Singaporeans. Because for me, I don’t work 9-5 nor do I need to bring work home. Just want to know if I’m overreacting or is this really a norm.”

“In some industries, there is a silent expectation to be “on call” and reply to bosses’ questions asap.”

Responding promptly to her post, netizens from the logistics industry confirmed that working overtime is considered normal in their line of work.

One individual disclosed that their workday involves 9 hours in the office followed by an additional 1-2 hours dedicated to meetings with the US team during the night. He explained that the challenging market conditions (pending space, high rates, and container shortage) likely contribute to her husband’s late hours.

Another individual also mentioned that management staff in the logistics industry frequently attend night calls and respond to emails due to time zone differences. They often have to coordinate with overseas counterparts, which necessitates being available at odd hours.

A third individual commented, “In some industries, there is a silent expectation to be “on call” and reply to bosses’ questions asap. It is up to the individual to decide where to draw their boundaries.

Is your husband in a leadership position? Unfortunately the higher up the food chain, the more readily available they are expected to be.”

In addition, others urged the woman to see things from her husband’s perspective. They pointed out that he’s putting in long hours because he’s genuinely committed to building a secure future for both of them.

One netizen said, “Pretty sure most employees would not work past ‘working hours’ if given a choice. It is affecting your marriage life but do cut him some slack please.”

Another asked her, “Maybe, just maybe, he is trying to do his best and working hard to give both of you a better life?”

Read also: Bride dodges groom’s kiss during wedding; gets divorced one year later for cheating: Singaporeans share top signs of doomed

Featured image by Depositphotos

 

Man claims previous employer offered him a contract position at half his former salary after he was laid off

Yoko Nicole
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0
Man claims previous employer offered him a contract position at half his former salary after he was laid off

SINGAPORE: A man recently took to social media to share that his previous company offered him a contract position at half his former salary after he was laid off.

In a post on r/askSingapore on Friday (Jul 5), he shared that he had worked as an executive assistant for someone in senior management at a US-based multinational tech company.

However, things changed when his boss left the company. Rather than hiring a replacement, the company decided to distribute the executive’s responsibilities among other leaders within the organization. 

As a result, the HR informed him that his role was now redundant, as there were no available positions for an Executive Assistant.

“After I was retrenched while searching for job opportunities I chanced upon this Executive Asst role advertised by a recruiting company. It’s a contract job and the salary is half of what I am drawing in my last company,” he said.

Being desperate, he decided to apply, hoping it might lead to a stable opportunity. But to his surprise, the recruiter told him the job was actually for his former company.

“The recruiter asked me if I am ok to return to my ex-company to work on contract basis.”

Feeling upset that he was let go for being overpaid rather than due to a lack of available roles, he questioned if this situation could be classified as “unfair dismissal.”

“It’s definitely not an unfair dismissal.”

In the comments section, the Redditors argued that his termination wasn’t unfair because the company genuinely thought his role was unnecessary back then.

But after looking into it further, their management must have realized his job was still needed. So, they started hiring again and suddenly brought back his position.

They also speculated that the role might have fewer responsibilities now, and the company wanted the flexibility to either keep or cut the role, which led to it being turned into a contract job with half the pay.

Instead of reporting his company to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Redditors suggested that the man focus all his time and energy on sending out resumes.

One netizen added, “According to labor law, both parties can terminate an employment by providing notice or notice in lieu. So no. Being overpaid is not a protected element from unfair termination.

A lot of tech companies are doing this as tech salaries were severely inflated during covid and there is a need to right size the salary structure.”

Another commented, “It’s definitely not an unfair dismissal. The only thing you can be upset about is that they didn’t ask you if you wanted to downgrade to contract basis at half the salary. 

“And be honest with yourself, you would not have taken that deal. You would have been furious. It’s only now that you are desperate and haven’t managed to find anything else that you will consider it.” 

Others suggested to the man that he should consider accepting the offer and aim to negotiate for 60-70% of his previous salary, rather than settling for the current offer. Should this negotiation not succeed, he can wait patiently, as there is a possibility that if the company hires another senior management member, he could be in a strong position to reclaim his original package.

One netizen said, “Just move on. Not worth your energy and time and mental health to fight the battle.”

Another commented, “Better to have income than none. Of course you can still job hunt elsewhere the whole time too.”

Read also: Singapore worker urged to report boss who instructed him to fudge Govt documents

Featured image by Depositphotos

Are shuttle buses “unofficial election ads” since they bear the images of MPs?

Anna Maria Romero
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0
Are shuttle buses “unofficial election ads” since they bear the images of MPs?

SINGAPORE: Some netizens are asking whether the shuttle buses at Marine Parade are unofficial election advertisements since the images of the Members of Parliament at Marine Parade GRC, MacPherson SMC, and Mountbatten SMC are emblazoned on them.

Last weekend, it was announced that a free shuttle bus service would be provided for the residents in these wards. It was said to be a response to feedback from residents and is aimed at helping them get to venues such as polyclinics and grocery stores easier, especially perhaps for senior citizens.

Marine Parade GRC MPs Tan See Leng, Edwin Tong, Seah Kian Peng, and MacPherson SMC MP Tin Pei Ling posted videos of the new shuttle service over social media.

The fact that the bus features their faces, along with Marine Parade MP Mohd Fahmi Aliman and Mountbatten SMC MP Lim Bow Chuan on the side of the vehicle, has caused a lot of comments.

FB screengrab/Lim Biow Chuan

It has also caused speculation that the next General Election, which must be held before November 23, 2025, is coming soon.

u/PhotographOld5934 shared a photo of the vehicle in a post on r/SingaporeRaw on Wednesday (Jul 3), which was captioned: “Isn’t the new Marine Parade Shuttle bus an unofficial election campaign vehicle since the MP faces are on it?”

Isn't the new Marine Parade Shuttle bus an unofficial election campaign vehicle since the MP faces are on it?
byu/PhotographOld5934 inSingaporeRaw

Questions as to whether the shuttle service will also be made available in other areas where there may be similar connectivity issues have also been raised.

At least one Reddit user expressed dissatisfaction, writing, “They were given a mandate to help SG, not a particular group of people.”

One commenter on the post hazarded a guess that the initiative was to bolster the ruling People’s Action Party’s reputation at Marine Parade, which took a hit last year in the wake of the scandal former MP and House Speaker Tan Chuan Jin was involved in.

Bringing in Ms Tin, who is reported to be hugely popular in her ward, would help, the Reddit user said.

Earlier this week, former Workers’ Party Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong also raised questions about the initiative.

Mr Yee called the initiative “interesting” but wondered what it would mean for  Singapore’s public transport and transport funding policies.

“Singaporeans have often been told there is NO free lunch. Someone pays. Who is paying for the services? PA and CDC? Or the MPs (whose images are on the buses),” he asked.

He also asked how sustainable the free shuttle bus service would be, writing that a similar pilot to improve connectivity had been launched in 2016 in Tampines, although that had been a private initiative, and people who used the service were charged a S$1 fare. However, he added that this did not last long. /TISG

Read also: Free shuttle bus service for Marine Parade cluster residents starts in July

Netizens say it “doesn’t make sense to take SQ anymore” after SIA hikes seat selection fees

Mary Alavanza
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0
Netizens say it “doesn’t make sense to take SQ anymore” after SIA hikes seat selection fees

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) is facing backlash from netizens following recent seat selection fee hikes, with some stating “does not make sense to take SQ anymore.”

According to Mainly Miles, the airline updated its fee structure effective July 1, introducing increased charges across Economy Class and Premium Economy Class seats. This move comes less than three years after SIA’s last adjustments to seat selection fees in 2021.

The revised fees now categorise seat selections into five different pricing bands based on flight distance. For shorter Southeast Asian routes like Thailand and Vietnam, selecting a standard seat in Economy Class now costs US$10 (S$13.53), up from US$8. Extra Legroom seats on these flights have also seen an increase to US$30, compared to US$25 previously, Channel News Asia reports.

On longer routes to destinations like Hong Kong, China, India, Japan, and South Korea, the cost of a standard Economy Class seat has risen to US$15 from US$10. Extra Legroom seats remain at US$60.

For flights to the US and Canada, the fee for a standard Economy seat has increased to US$35, up from US$25, while Extra Legroom seats now cost US$130, previously US$120.

The news of these price hikes has sparked criticism online, with many netizens expressing dissatisfaction over what they perceive as a significant increase in costs without corresponding improvements in service.

One user lamented, “It does not make sense to take SQ anymore.” “It might be because I don’t feel entitled to SQ, but there are other airlines that provide the same service for less. Often, SQ seems overpriced,” he added.

Another commenter echoed this sentiment, stating, “SIA used to be expensive because their service sets them apart. It’s like a treat-yourself brand that I would choose for a nice holiday. Now, the cost-cutting exercise just makes me think that they are no different from Emirates or Qatar Airways.”

One commenter quipped, “Guess they survive on corporate travel out of Singapore and definitely make a big difference between corporate travellers and “normal” customers who have to pay themselves. Question is if this is the right strategy?”

Another noted, “Us peasants just wait for free seats after online check in,” while another mentioned that “SIA was never designed to please Singaporeans.”

For the latest seat selection prices, visit the Singapore Airlines’ website. /TISG

Read also: SIA passenger says he was sent back to his seat twice while queuing for toilet because of “ridiculous” turbulence rules

Featured image by Depositphotos

“Lost and depressed” young man turns to food delivery to make ends meet after losing job

Mary Alavanza
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0
“Lost and depressed” young man turns to food delivery to make ends meet after losing job

SINGAPORE: Yet another 25-year-old Singaporean man is facing unemployment and has turned to food delivery services to make ends meet. He took to social media seeking advice on whether to join Grab or foodpanda for food delivery gigs after unexpectedly losing his job a week before his notice period ends.

He shared, “I have been looking for new full-time jobs but to no avail. I have been searching for logistics jobs because that has been my job history, and also because I attend part-time school, which limits my availability to industries with office hours. Administrative roles have been very, very, very hard to get.”

He admitted he’s been “lost and depressed” and was suggested by his friends to “do grab/foodpanda while actively looking for a full time job.”

Seeking guidance from the online community, he asked, “I’m here to know which is better to join even though I heard it is also not a perfect time (to look for jobs) now.” 

Singaporeans online responded with a mix of practical advice and empathy. Many suggested that while Grab tends to offer more frequent orders, foodpanda often pays better rates, especially during peak meal times like lunch and dinner.

One commenter advised, “Grab tends to have more orders with a similar amount of money per order. You can also go online or offline anytime you want, so it’s more flexible. foodpanda pays more during peak timings but orders are lesser compared to Grab.”

Others highlighted the differences in payment and work flexibility between the platforms, adding that Deliveroo, while offering higher rates at certain times, requires more stringent scheduling and has longer account approval times.

Others urged him to try both, noting, “I see people doing both, so why not start with Grab and then join foodpanda later once you get comfortable?” one commenter suggested.

Amid the practical advice, messages of support and motivation poured in from the online community.

One commenter offered words of comfort, saying, “All the best brother, as long as you are breathing and you don’t give up on part-time school and constantly improving yourself. Let the days pass and one day you will make it.”

“Always remember that life is a marathon not a race. As long as you are alive, you have a chance!” he added. /TISG

Read also: Some workers turn to Grab deliveries or giving tuition to fill long periods of unemployment

Featured image by Depositphotos

Singapore crowned APAC’s top business travel destination

Jewel Stolarchuk
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0
Singapore crowned APAC’s top business travel destination

SINGAPORE: Singapore has been ranked the top destination for business travelers in BCD Travel’s latest Cities & Trends report, highlighting the country’s robust post-pandemic recovery and its continued appeal for major meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.

According to the report, Singapore outpaced other leading cities in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, securing its position as the foremost destination for corporate travel. This success is attributed to comprehensive government support and strategic investments in the aviation and tourism sectors.

Notably, Singapore introduced the OneAviation Support Package, an initiative valued at $870 million in 2021, aimed at bolstering the aviation industry. Approximately $300 million in aid was also allocated to rejuvenate the tourism sector as it navigated the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Trailing Singapore in the rankings are Hong Kong, a prominent financial hub and close competitor, which secured the second spot. Bangkok followed in third place, with Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur rounding out the top five. Completing the top ten destinations were Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Jakarta, and Manila, respectively.

BCD Travel’s analysis, based on flight transactions, revealed that Singapore was the most frequented destination in APAC last year, surpassing China and Japan in visitor numbers. The city-state’s strategic location and extensive connectivity contributed to its prominence, making it the top hub for both arrivals and layovers on APAC flights.

“The APAC region is set to play a significant role in global business travel spending this year, accounting for 42% of the total,” said Greg O’Neil, BCD Travel’s President for Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Global Network. His remarks highlight the growing importance of the region in the global business travel landscape.

Singapore’s success is also reflective of broader trends in business travel as companies and professionals seek destinations that offer not only advanced infrastructure and connectivity but also strong governmental support for the aviation and tourism sectors.

TISG/

Featured image by Deposit Photos

Thomson View Condominium relaunched for collective sale

Jewel Stolarchuk
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0
Thomson View Condominium relaunched for collective sale

SINGAPORE: Edmund Tie & Company has announced the relaunch of Thomson View Condominium for collective sale, presenting a significant opportunity for potential developers. The property, strategically located adjacent to the Upper Thomson MRT station, spans an extensive 50,197 square meters.

Zoned under “Residential,” the condominium offers a considerable development potential, with an allowable total gross floor area of 112,792 square meters. The site features 255 residential units, including 54 townhouses and a 29-storey block with a retail unit and 200 apartments.

The collective sale has retained its reserve price of $918 million, translating to approximately $1,275 per square foot per plot ratio. This valuation encompasses all relevant charges and premiums.

Thomson View Condominium’s prime location provides easy access to a variety of amenities. Residents can enjoy the proximity to multiple MRT stations and a range of educational institutions.

The area is also well-served by retail outlets, dining options, and recreational facilities, including MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Bishan Park, and the Singapore Island Country Club.

The redevelopment potential of the site has already received approval from the authorities, allowing for the construction of up to 1,240 residential units. This proposal is based on an average apartment size of 85 square meters, providing ample space for modern living in a sought-after area.

Interested parties are invited to submit their offers by 3pm on September 6. Given its location, amenities, and approved redevelopment plans, analysts expect Thomson View Condominium could present a compelling proposition for developers.

TISG/

SG employee asks, “How do you deal with perfectionistic teammates at work?”

Yoko Nicole
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0
SG employee asks, “How do you deal with perfectionistic teammates at work?”

SINGAPORE: Feeling completely fed up, a Singaporean employee took to social media to vent about a perfectionist teammate who’s been driving her up the wall lately.

In her post on r/askSingapore, she described how this teammate imposes exceptionally high standards on the entire team, expecting everyone to match her pace and level of work, despite not always delivering flawless results herself.

The employee lamented that her teammate also has a habit of excessively critiquing others’ work, often labeling it “low quality” while consistently showing off her own work.

“My work does not affect her deliverables in any way so I find it mightily irritating that she butts into my business.”

Recalling a particularly tense incident, she wrote, “I once misspoke and said to a boss that I was helping her “revamp” her work (in reality I was just helping to add things here and there based on my expertise) and damn she was PISSED.”

She then asked the online community on Reddit, “How do you deal with perfectionistic teammates at work?”

“Be neutral unless she interrupts your work in any way.”

The post sparked a lively discussion among Redditors, with many sharing their own experiences and offering practical tips on how to deal with perfectionistic colleagues in the workplace.

One individual advised the employee to never engage or work with her teammate unless it is absolutely necessary. She added that she should stay objective and speak up only when there are real issues with her teammate’s work.

However, she also warned against staying quiet or letting her teammate always have her way just to avoid confrontation, as this could potentially worsen her overbearing behavior over time.

Another individual said, “Be neutral unless she interrupts your work in any way.”

On the other hand, some suggested a more assertive approach. One individual recommended that the employee should find mistakes in her teammate’s work and point them out cheerfully. This approach, she explained, could help break the illusion of perfectionism.

She added, “I had a colleague who was a perfectionist till I found loads of mistakes in the work and cheerfully pointed to the colleague. The said colleague never tried to irritate me again.”

Another individual shared that whenever perfectionists at his workplace unfairly criticize others, he often steps in to defend his teammates. He mentioned that advocating for team members tends to promote a more forgiving atmosphere among everyone.

He went on to say, “I find it also helps tone down the perfectionist to remind them not everything is life and death; and it helps you professionally to be someone who knows how to be simultaneously understanding and assertive.”

Read also: Singapore worker feels “wronged” after promotion leads to colleagues turning against her

Featured image by Depositphotos

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