logo
Tourist says foreigners often get ‘pushed around' in Singapore, asks locals, ‘Is this common?'

Tourist says foreigners often get ‘pushed around' in Singapore, asks locals, ‘Is this common?'

SINGAPORE: Known for its clean streets and strict rules, Singapore often leaves a strong impression on first-time visitors. But for one tourist, her recent trip raised questions about how foreigners are treated in everyday public spaces.
In a post on Reddit's 'Ask Singapore' forum, the tourist shared that during her three-week stay in Singapore over the summer, she was pushed or spoken to rudely by strangers on at least four occasions, even though she was not in anyone's way.
'I got pushed and the people would say things like, 'Don't block the way,' she shared. 'In one [case], I was tying my laces on the corner behind a bench. In another a guy pushed me whilst I was standing on the MRT.'
She also mentioned that her experience was not unique. 'I'm brown but my white friends said they experienced the same. Even my Filipino friend said it was the same,' she wrote.
Seeking other insights, she asked the community, 'Have you noticed that foreigners get 'pushed around' in SG? Is this common amongst locals or exclusive to foreigners? I'm coming to SG for my year abroad in college next year so I was kinda curious.' 'When you are blocking the way, you get called out.'
In the comments, many locals disagreed with the tourist's take, saying it's not something that only happens to foreigners.
They explained that locals would speak up or 'push around' someone only if the person was genuinely blocking the way, regardless of their nationality.
'If they said don't block the way, then it means you are blocking the way,' one individual commented. 'Singapore is generally not a city designed for stopping. You'll have to keep moving when travelling around, or you'll block someone's way.'
Another said, 'No. And nobody cares whether you're a foreigner, or local, or hybrid. When you are blocking the way, you get called out.'
A third explained, 'Nah, you're probably standing in an area that is used for walking. A common thing I noticed onboard trains is that foreigners don't know the unspoken protocol of standing near the seats so you can comfortably fit two people in a column.'
'Most stand in the centre with the grab poles, resulting in 'lost' space to stand. I'm not saying that's the case for you, but the meaning of 'being out of the way' might not be so in actuality.'
In other news, a man has turned to the online community for advice after his wife grew increasingly unhappy with his decision to stop working full-time, despite the couple being financially stable.
In a post published on the r/SGHenry subreddit, the man, in his late 30s, explained that he and his wife have been married for five years and have been together for about a decade.
Read more: 'Am I being selfish?': Man seeks advice as wife grows unhappy with his decision to stop working full-time
Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades, World News
Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades, World News

AsiaOne

time14 hours ago

  • AsiaOne

Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades, World News

Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Sunday (July 27), Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The start of regular flights between the capitals for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs, follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June. The first flight will leave Sheremetyevo airport at 7 p.m. (12am Singapore time), according to the airport's timetable. The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers, Russia's RIA state news agency said on Sunday. It said tickets started at 44,700 roubles ($721), and the first flight quickly sold out. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. The transport ministry said in a statement that for now flights would operate once a month, "to help build stable demand". The only direct air route between Russia and North Korea has been flights by North Korean carrier Air Koryo to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East three times a week. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations. Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this month his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. [[nid:644060]]

Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades
Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades

CNA

time15 hours ago

  • CNA

Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades

Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Sunday (Jul 27), Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The start of regular flights between the capitals for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs, follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June. The first flight will leave Sheremetyevo airport at 7pm (1600 GMT), according to the airport's timetable. The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers, Russia's RIA state news agency said on Sunday. It said tickets started at 44,700 roubles (US$563), and the first flight quickly sold out. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. The transport ministry said in a statement that for now flights would operate once a month, "to help build stable demand". The only direct air route between Russia and North Korea has been flights by North Korean carrier Air Koryo to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East three times a week. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations. Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this month his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades
Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades

Straits Times

time15 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades

Find out what's new on ST website and app. The transport ministry said in a statement that the flights would operate once a month. Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea's capital Pyongyang on July 27, Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The start of regular flights between the capitals for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs, follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June. The first flight will leave Sheremetyevo airport at 7pm (12am Singapore time, July 28), according to the airport's timetable. The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers, Russia's RIA state news agency said on July 27. It said tickets started at 44,700 roubles (S$722), and the first flight quickly sold out. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. The transport ministry said in a statement that for now flights would operate once a month, 'to help build stable demand'. The only direct air route between Russia and North Korea has been flights by North Korean carrier Air Koryo to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East three times a week. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong Road South closed for repairs after car fell into sinkhole Asia Trump says Thailand and Cambodia agree to hold immediate ceasefire talks Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Singapore HSA will not trace vape users who throw away e-vaporisers in disposal bins at 23 CCs World Israel resumes airdrop aid to Gaza, military says World Turkey marks 50.5 deg C heat record in south-east Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes Opinion Metallurgy degree for IT job in Singapore? Why not, says Tata Consultancy's growth markets chief Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in July that his country was ready to 'unconditionally support' Moscow's efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store