Why This British Expat Chose Singapore For Life

Summary

In this insightful interview, Sally Forest, a British expatriate living in Singapore for nearly two decades, shares her experiences of settling in Asia. She reflects on the efficiency and order of Singapore compared to the chaotic nature of Bangkok, where she lived previously. Sally discusses her career journey, challenges in adapting to Asian cultures, and the significance of feng shui in Singaporean life. Offering life advice, she emphasizes the importance of gratitude and maintaining a positive mindset, no matter the external circumstances, to navigate life's challenges successfully.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sally considers living in Singapore a major blessing, appreciating its organization, efficiency, and overall positive impact on her life.
• 😀 She has thought about giving up her British citizenship but feels a strong sense of loyalty to her father and the Queen, especially after their passing.
• 😀 Sally enjoys the organized nature of Singapore, where everything runs efficiently, from Changi Airport to general daily activities.
• 😀 Transitioning to Thailand from the UK was challenging, as the communication styles were vastly different, leading to misunderstandings due to a reluctance to say 'I don't understand'.
• 😀 Singapore's English proficiency and highly efficient workforce make it easier for expatriates to live and work there compared to other Asian countries like Thailand.
• 😀 Sally finds Bangkok to be a city with a 'wild side', where anything goes, contrasting sharply with Singapore's more regulated and organized environment.
• 😀 One of the biggest cultural shocks for Sally was the unchanging tropical climate of Singapore, missing the seasonal changes she experienced in the UK.
• 😀 Sally highlights that celebrities often face significant personal challenges, such as the loss of freedom and mental struggles despite their fame and fortune.
• 😀 A key source of stress for Singaporeans today is the constant pressure of international communication, where work continues even after the official end of the workday.
• 😀 Sally advises focusing on gratitude each morning—acknowledging that waking up is a blessing—and maintaining a positive attitude despite challenges throughout the day.
• 😀 She encourages people to take control of their mental state by deciding to bring the best version of themselves to the day, regardless of the challenges they might face.
• 😀 Sally suggests that practicing feng shui can improve one's living space by ensuring the flow of positive energy (Chi), and that the physical layout of homes can influence well-being.

Q & A

What makes Sally Forest feel that living in Singapore is a blessing?

Sally feels that living in Singapore is a blessing because of the city's efficiency, courtesy, and organization. She particularly appreciates how everything runs smoothly, from Changi Airport to daily life, which makes her feel at home and grateful each morning.

Why did Sally initially hesitate to give up her British citizenship?

Sally hesitated to give up her British citizenship due to her deep sense of loyalty to her family and her country. She had been commissioned in the British army and her father, a policeman, was very proud of being British, making her reluctant to break away from this tradition.

How did Sally’s perspective on giving up her British citizenship change after personal losses?

After the passing of her father and the Queen, Sally’s perspective shifted. With these significant figures no longer in her life, she started considering Singapore as her true home, and she no longer felt as bound by her British citizenship.

What was Sally's biggest cultural shock when moving from the UK to Asia?

Sally's biggest cultural shock was the difference in communication styles and inefficiency she encountered in Thailand. She was used to clear, direct communication, but in Thailand, she found that people would avoid saying they didn’t understand, often resulting in misunderstandings and inefficiency.

How does Sally compare Singapore to Bangkok in terms of lifestyle and environment?

Sally notes that Bangkok is more chaotic and less regulated compared to Singapore. While Bangkok allows for a lot of freedom and anything can be bought on the streets, Singapore is much more structured, clean, and organized. She appreciates Singapore's orderly environment as she ages, finding it more comfortable than the wildness of Bangkok.

What are some of the challenges corporate professionals in Singapore face, according to Sally?

Corporate professionals in Singapore, especially those working for international companies, face high stress levels due to constant distractions from mobile phones, social media, and work communications across time zones. This leaves them feeling stretched and overwhelmed, with less time to manage all their responsibilities.

What does Sally believe is the secret to happiness in the face of daily challenges?

Sally believes that the key to happiness is maintaining a positive attitude, no matter what the day brings. She suggests waking up each morning with gratitude, acknowledging that we can’t control external events but can control how we respond, choosing to bring our best selves to each day.

How does Sally describe the mental health challenges faced by celebrities?

Sally explains that many celebrities, despite their wealth and fame, face mental health struggles such as loneliness, loss of freedom, and the pressures of public attention. Without a strong mind, they may turn to drugs, parties, or even experience suicidal thoughts as a way of coping with their lack of privacy and the constant demand on their time.

What role does feng shui play in Singapore's city planning, according to Sally?

According to Sally, feng shui plays a significant role in Singapore's city planning. The city's design incorporates natural elements like mountains and water to maintain good energy (Chi). Homes and buildings are selected and arranged in ways that help contain and optimize the flow of positive energy, which is believed to benefit the residents.

What is one simple action Sally recommends people take each morning to improve their lives?

Sally recommends that people start each day with gratitude, simply acknowledging the blessing of waking up. She advises focusing on bringing the best version of oneself to the day, regardless of the challenges that may arise, to foster a positive mindset and open the door to unexpected opportunities.