7.

There is no difference between tissues and napkins.

It is rare to spot a true paper napkin in Singapore.  Mini tissue packs, like you’d take on a hiking trip, are the staple hand-wiping product.  And you bring your own.  In hawker centres, patrons’ first step is to reserve their seat with the all-powerful mini tissue pack before prowling the stalls for food.  (These packs are fully respected as legitimate placeholders.)  This same pack is used, if at all, as napkins. (On another note, most meals are liquid-free. My theory is because of the extra trip required, since there are drink stalls and food stalls but no drink and food stalls.)

This tissue/napkin convergence, while space efficient I suppose, loses effectiveness points to the typical American paper napkin.  Tissues have enough trouble standing up to noses, much less staying in one piece through a banana leaf Indian meal. On the other hand, a pile of napkins does not say “reserved seat” with the distinctiveness of plastic wrap with cutesy Japanese characters printed on it.

6.

Singaporeans don’t sing along.

I somehow ended up with free tickets to Christina Aguilera and it was the quietest crowd I’ve ever seen.  Instead of the hair-splitting screeches that inevitably seem to accompany the opening of a pop performance, there was a half-hearted round of applause with a couple “woo hoos.”

I know what you’re thinking.  Maybe it was a factor of who’s on stage.  But my Singaporean co-concert goer confirmed my observation.  Singaporeans can be lackluster fans.

5.

Cobras live in the ditches.

They kill dogs.

And I’m sure an occasional curly-headed caucasian.

4.

The regional office was made up of Brits, Aussies, a New Yorker, and two Singaporeans.

The Singapore office was made up of Singaporeans.

I suppose there’s a logical reasons for that but I can’t help but think being an expat equals a couple extra rungs on the corporate ladder…

3.

Singaporeans don’t like Singapore.

I loved Singapore.  But the more I heard from locals – “it’s boring” “I just want to get out” “it has no soul” – the less I loved it.  Coming from a proud state and a proud city within that state, I never realized how important patriotism is.

2.

A sign of a country who knows how to advertise:

Anti-jaywalking ads with headline:

“The faster you dash, the harder you smash.”

In no particular order. Except backwards.

Haha. Just realized these would be posted backwards.

Countdowns hold more suspense than count-ups anyway.

1.

In Singapore, account managers are called “suits.”  They even call themselves suits.  I aim to bring this to the States.

Observations of an ex-O&M Singapore intern

As of a week ago, I am no longer an Ogilvy intern. As of two days from now, I will no longer live in Singapore. I will live in Richmond, Virginia. I don’t want to talk about it.

I do feel it is my duty – to myself and I’m sure inevitably to Charles, Coz, or even Rick if I’m lucky – to reflect on my experience and come up with some conclusive takeaways… of which I will think of and publish over time. Because apparently I can only think in 5 minute intervals.