Is Singapore boring? We dissect the underlying meaning behind one of our favourite complaints.
Ah, Singapore. We love you for your vibrant food scene, hip neighbourhoods, and peaceful cafes. Avid Honeycombers readers will know that there are plenty of things to do around town. Whether you’re out and about with your family or looking to gallivant at night, the city never sleeps. But despite all of that, it doesn’t stop some Singaporeans from crying out that there’s nothing to do. So let’s get into the thick of it: is Singapore really boring?
The hidden meaning of boring
To call Singapore boring is a cop-out. I believe the word is a mask for deeper feelings of resentment. Friends and family often say they want to leave the city in favour of greener pastures; sometimes for a visit, other times permanently. When I ask why, I’m met with similar responses.
It starts with gripes about how boring Singapore is. Probing further, I uncover new layers and reasons that, in my opinion, have nothing to do with Singapore’s lack of activities. They say it’s too expensive to live in this city, there’s nothing new to see, and things aren’t “genuine” because of our carefully curated image as a country. And these are all valid reasons.
But if you scratch past the surface of it all, there are several deeper meanings to their definition of “boring”. Why is cafe hopping in Johor Bahru or partying in Bangkok so much more appealing than in Singapore, where the offerings and spaces are almost the same? I chalk it up to spending power. As inflation continues to loom over us, we want to save a couple of bucks while enjoying our lives too. All it takes is a hop and skip, and you’ll be in places like Batam or Kuala Lumpur where the Singapore dollar reigns (almost) supreme.
There’s also something disconcerting about our seemingly perfect skyline, with its man-made attractions and architecture. Spontaneity in Singapore is lost with the multitude of regulations. Buskers aren’t allowed to pop up without a license, parks are manicured down to the finest blade of grass, and we can’t even protest without a permit. With that, we lose elements of authenticity that could make Singapore unique and interesting. If Banksy were a Singaporean, he would’ve long been caught and fined for his shenanigans.
Familiarity is poison
The unfortunate truth is that after living somewhere for years, you’ll start to develop a routine. With that comes the mundanity of life. Predictably, the beauty of streets dulls over time if you walk the same path every day. HDB buildings start to look alike, malls are filled with similar shops, and when you’ve seen one neighbourhood, you’ve basically seen them all.
The glittering nightlife isn’t quite as exciting because the experience is the same every week. Even hallmark holidays like Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Christmas are celebrated with the same light installations and cultural tours.
That’s why wanderlust is so appealing. The serotonin boost of adventure is now more attractive than ever, and we place greater value on experiences than possessions. Travel is a desire that we see growing amongst the population. I’d even go as far as to say it’s become trendy to jet out of Singapore over the weekend for a change in scenery. Even if you don’t garner envious messages from friends after posting on Instagram, you’ll have a myriad of stories to tell when you return home.
Unfortunately, new experiences in Singapore are few and far between if you aren’t sure where to look. With our tiny island, there’s barely enough land for housing, let alone new attractions. Nature lovers would have explored practically every nook and cranny of our hiking trails. Foodies would have sought out the newest hot spots around town, while potentially avoiding fine dining places if their wallet doesn’t allow it.
But, no matter how many new places open around the island, the thrill of the novelty is often fleeting and short-lived. Cafes can have many tricks up their sleeves, but at some point we’ll become weary, finding the theatrics gimmicky and underwhelming.
The grass is greener where you water it
As other countries seem to have a veritable edge above Singapore, it’s hard to see past all the noise and pessimism. But on the flip side, we also have to acknowledge that there are great perks living on our little island.
For citizens, let’s not forget that we hold one of the most powerful passports that allows us to travel almost anywhere in the world visa-free. Despite the young age of our nation, we have a city infrastructure that rivals other countries with centuries worth of history.
We have a brag-worthy airport that boasts a huge collection of awards – it’s a playground for both kids and adults alike. Plus, we’re one of the safest countries to visit in Asia with an incredibly low crime rate, leaving us to enjoy our nights out no matter how late it gets. The only downside is our public transport system doesn’t operate 24 hours a day. But it runs like a well-oiled machine with few delays and very short waiting times.
Living in a cosmopolitan city also means that we see the beautiful melding of diverse cultures. I have the opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and Deepavali thanks to my diverse friend group. We’re also home to a brilliantly vibrant food and cocktail scene with a multitude of award-winning chefs and bartenders setting up brands here. And if anything goes wrong, you can count on us with our Singaporean quirks to find solidarity in complaining about it.
A necessary shift in perspective
It’s easy to get lost in the negativity of a boring life in Singapore. We often forget how far we’ve progressed as a nation in such little time. Despite the stringent laws, there’s no denying that it’s peaceful here. We’re free from worries like war, natural disasters and instability, even if the trade-off is a city that’s both predictable and seemingly stagnant. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a more adventurous life or circumstance, but it’s important to take a step back, reassess and be thankful for what we have once in a while.
Recognise that we’re in control of our experiences and the potential excitement of our lives. Being comfortable in a routine is part of what makes life mundane, so start spicing it up. There are pockets of eventful happenings just around the corner. Shake up your weekends with unique things to do, step out of your comfort zone with a new hobby, and treat yourself to a night out at a new bar or a romantic date once in a while.
So, is Singapore boring? Yes, it can be, but there’s nothing wrong with that. And it all boils down to a matter of perspective. You don’t have to trap yourself in a single ideology. Find new lenses and you might just start to perceive Singapore in a brand new light.
