Many Malaysians move to Singapore to work. Who doesn’t wanna earn Singapore Dollars right? Well, moving to a new place, especially a new country definitely poses some challenges.
Here’s a list of what many Malaysians who move to Singapore can relate to.
1. The moment you discover roti canai is called roti prata there
Same same but different? Well, the roti there is dry and hard, and you’ll suddenly miss Malaysia’s roti canai. Malaysian mamaks are still the best tho. #NoHate
2. Constantly converting prices to see if it’s cheaper to buy stuff in Singapore or Malaysia
We’re Asian what. Every cent counts ok!
3. Going crazy at how expensive everything is
What to do? Malaysian Ringgit is far inferior to Singaporean Dollars – making everything being at a x3 conversion rate.
However, truth be told, for certain items, you’d realise how much more affordable their things are if you were to earn in Singaporean dollars. Then… there’s the crazy SGD4 an hour’s parking rate.
4. Getting stuck in traffic on the causeway
Yep, the immigration checks are thorough and we know the traffic jams here are NO FUN!
5. Let’s be honest: Malaysian food still beat Singaporean food any day
Maybeeee, our tastebuds are more accustomed to our Malaysian flavours but we have no doubt that our food seem soooo much tastier.
6. When your Singaporean friends ask you to buy chewing gum for them from Malaysia
Whenever you’re headed to Singapore, they will surely say, “Eh, buy chewing gum for me leh.”
7. When you have to walk everywhere you go
Every day is leg day. #Thestruggleisreal
Thanks to their amazing town planning, getting anywhere is convenient. And possible with just public transport – this causes your legs to be sore at the end of the day though! On the bright side, the country is super safe. So, you don’t have to worry about walking in the middle of the night and being robbed or anything.
8. When you cross the road and don’t have to fear cars running you over
Because pedestrians are kings of the road in Singapore. I mean, seriously, have you seen the cars in Malaysia?!
9. When you jaywalk and every other Singaporean looks at you like a barbarian
You know lah, in Malaysia you can cross any road like it’s your bapak punya jalan, but in Singapore there are eyes watching you EVERYWHERE.
10. When the trains are actually on time unlike in Malaysia
Their trains arrive at an interval of every one to seven minutes! And they rarely ever come late.
11. Using tissue packets to ‘chope’ tables at hawker centres
Source: Under the angsana tree
A typical Singaporean stereotype is that they are super kiasu. This may be apparent in one of the common things to do in Singapore, and that is chopping the table using a tissue packet. Getting a seat at hawker centres first is sibeh important leh!
12. The abominations which are peppery Bak Kut Teh and white Hokkien Mee
Malaysia and Singapore have got some pretty similar local delicacies, but you’ll realise that some of our favourite dishes are totalllyyyy different!
Sources: Yahoo News Singapore and Goody Foodies
13. Getting used to Singlish words like ‘chiobu’, ‘kao peh kao bu’ and ‘sia’
Yes, Singapore has got their own slang words too, which at first can be quite confusing. But in the end, we inevitably learn and use them anyways.
Source: SG Asia City
14. Having to generally be a better citizen because Singapore is such a FINE country
The Singapore authorities are EVERYWHERE. You can’t do anything bad without getting caught and being fined by them. So remember not to spit, litter or smoke in non-smoking zones!
Source: WordPress
15. Being able to tell the Malaysians apart from the Singaporeans
After spending a couple days on the island, you can easily tell who are Malaysians and who are Singaporeans. It’s pretty much instinctual!
16. Level up when people mistake you as a local Singaporean
“Oh, I’m actually Malaysian and not Singaporean…” is probably the most used sentence.
17. If you can’t beat their kaisuness, join them!
Do these scenarios sound familiar? Every country has its quirks and nothing beats actually checking out various nations to discover these little differences!
Also read: 10 Super Instagram-worthy Cafes in Singapore You Have to Check Out At Least Once
