Having worked in a few countries, if for short stints and as a single professional, yea for sure temporarily and I would definitely recommend those of younger generations or even those that are single to take the opportunity to move out of Singapore and work overseas. I think what many local talents lacked is the lack of exposure working elsewhere. But as a father with two children? Am back in Singapore for good, the country's so much better for children as compared to elsewhere around the world, and definitely if you're used to the efficiency in Singapore, it will be hard to get used to elsewhere.
Just came back from SG a week ago. Live and work in London for 25 years. I can tell you that London is absolutely broken, there is no social order here, transport is absolute shite, broken glasses bottle of alcohol are everywhere, youth are running wild and attacking people from time to time for entertainment purpose or for no reason at all, there is no kindness for elderly and people in need on public transport, strikes are more often than I remember. So think very carefully before you migrate to London. Of cos there are a lot of beautiful parts of London and there are a lot of nice people from all over the world but for day to day functioning I could move to SG within a heart beat if I get a job opportunity. Lovely city, very efficient , not heavy traffic, people are nice enough in my opinion.
Pretty much everywhere else is like that, Singapore an exception. Sometimes I question whether the next generation can survive in other cities, other than Singapore. Can’t protect kids forever, and never know, kids may need to migrate overseas.
Been lived in HK and visit Singapore my husband and I are Asian food lover so living in Singapore is big dream for us ! Currently we are in England and hopefully my husband can find a good job there so we can move to Singapore
While you are a young professional - it's awesome to explore places)) I'm from Russia, I've lived in Vancouver, Canada for a bit and it's still the most beautiful city for me and has a very special place in my heart, love it so much, I've lived in Miami, Fl for 9 years, Seattle, WA for 3 years and now in Portland, OR. What can I say - I would love to move and live to a more modern, safer, and gun-free, drug policy-strict country like Singapore or UAE... I feel like USA and Canada have so many problems that lead them downhill and it's sad because there are a lot of great sides in those countries...
The pasture always looks greener over the other side ...until you really actually live and work there. No country in this world is perfect. It really depends on what kind of lifestyle and standard of living you want. There is always trade offs.
Fact that he's not our typical Singapore Singaporean more of an international 2nd gen migrant with a Singapore passport to begin with but I would say that most of us Singaporean boys will respect him as a brother in arms because he served the 2 best years of his life for the country. Having studied and worked in UK and London, he made the right choice for a music major.
@@MaxChernov The thing about international school is that it is usually catered to Foreigners who either cant ballot for local school but in cases where foreigners who are singapore PR that voluntarily choose to enrol their kids in an international school suggest that they refuse to assimilate with the locals. From the video i would then infer that alex probably belong to the 1st category in which he came from hongkong couldnt go to a public school and had to join an international school. However the need to distance himself from locals and keep categorizing himself as an international student and meeting "locals" etc throughout the video probably then suggest that he never really assimilated. This is a common issue with studying in an international school. You have your own ecosystem, you never assimilate with the locals hence you will never feel a sense of belonging for that country. Kudos to him for serving his NS obligations though.
@Maksim, absolutely agree with you. We also assume that most people like to be left alone and we hate to be intrusive. Nothing wrong with some silence (and peace) and being comfortable with it.
DOES NOT MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE ALWAYS SMART TO VENTURE , NO VENTURE NO GAIN , MY OPINION SINGAPORE IS ALWAYS THE BEST PLACE TO CALLED HOME, SMALL RED DOT AND VERY CONVENIENCE TO MOVE AROUND SAFETY, BUT AT THE PRESENT MOMENT I AM LIVING ABROAD FOR OVER 45 YEARS. “ CHIA YU SINGAPORE. “ 👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🇸🇬
At Wharton, my MBA school, Singaporeans were the least entrepreneurial. They said so themselves. Indians were the most entrepreneurial and figured out things quickly. There are disadvantages to living in a sterile environment in apartments and condos. Also, almost everyone likes the place they know and they grew up in.
The advantages to being American are Dunning-Kruger syndrome and the high rates of bloated government agencies waiting to get tricked by fast-talking charlatans.
No question that Singapore is cheaper than London. I don't understand how people can live in London, it's eyewatering. That's even allowing for the spike in Singapore rental prices.
well.. he's got a Singaporean passport, but I wouldn't say he identifies as Singaporean? his experience is more like a 'third culture kid' that's more international. anyway, presumably he has plenty of $$ set up parents-wise (since he's been through international school, and is living pay cheque to pay cheque now), so as long as he doesn't end up drawing on welfare here in old age, his choices make sense - Singapore isn't really the place for arts music and such relatively speaking.
@@MaxChernov In my opinion, it is neither good or bad. Sure it is good if it spun off many roads to success, like design or haute couture or therapy or as a means of making a living for the vulnerable groups. However, if the sustainability relies on taxpayers' heavy subsidies and charities, it is better to let nature takes its own course and find another artistic path that works for the society. Some of the artsy foreigners who found their niche in Singapore. Apologies if you can't understand Mandarin but the interviewees spoke in English. Former Yugoslavian artist who teaches art in Singapore. th-cam.com/video/8YT9KK078Mc/w-d-xo.html Columbian graffiti artist doing commissioned graffiti in Singapore th-cam.com/video/JlRjh-G4O84/w-d-xo.html Russian teaching artistic acrobatics in singapore th-cam.com/video/JlRjh-G4O84/w-d-xo.html Kenyan photographer who found her niche in Singapore th-cam.com/video/g4TYF3ni78I/w-d-xo.html Tahitian dance teacher teaching Tahitian dance in Singapore th-cam.com/video/SDeHNOuK7cg/w-d-xo.html And Max Chernov who is YouTubing in Singapore.
@@MaxChernov it's tough, ties back to the issue of singapore being too small a market. you need a big market for things like art/culture to really flourish, because artists got to eat too. that's also why you see local artists that do well are those that manage to break into the wider markets, msia, taiwan, even china.
Honestly, I don’t think it’s a matter of size of the city for the art to grow. Also, Singapore is more rich compared to other places where arts are flourishing
@@MaxChernov can't help it, it's just a fact. from having enough local artists creating content to having enough people interested in local arts to buy tickets on a regular basis. you can think of cities in other countries like NY, London, but bear in mind that those are concentrations of people from the entire wider country, i.e. entire US/UK (once that critical mass is developed, then tourists from overseas come as well, i.e. snowballing effect). Singapore is 'rich' in terms of the country's stash, but unless you're talking about the govt keeping arts alive by paying the artists with tax payer's money (which is unethical imo), you need the market itself to support the arts for it to be sustainable. which requires scale.
I stumbled across your channel recently, and it's been interesting watching. I've lived and worked in various cities throughout the US and Canada, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore. This guy's comment about Canadians is a generalization based on the area of Canada that he lived in, namely Vancouver. Vancouver has a reputation for being notoriously difficult to make friends in when compared with other parts of Canada. I have lived in Vancouver as well as elsewhere in Canada, and can attest to this. The other thing that this guy had going against him insofar as wanting to live in Canada was his timing. Obtaining PR in Canada used to be very competitive until a few years ago. The Canadian govt has signifcantly increased immigration targets in the last 2 to 3 years, and my perception is that it is quite a bit easier to get into the country now than pre-covid. Sometimes, things just aren't meant to be.
Like your attitude on National service bro! Singaporean is very direct but not good at expressing themselves. So we may be seen as rude. Hope u can come home one day
@avenge - Absolutely agree with you. On top of that we are just being cautious and are just wary of scams, etc that is quite common also in other countries too. Human beings are not angels...
In Japan, strangers don’t greet each other because they respect each other’s personal space. For example, people don’t talk loudly in public and always use headphones with their personal devices. Many Asians including Singaporeans are like that too maybe.
I think there are certainly repulsive reason why those ventured overseas don't prefer to go back. Could be the system or the people. Singapore score points in certain aspect but that doesn't mean it is the perfect/ideal country for everyone.
To each his own, but I think the way he said he got a traffic ticket is an exaggeration. I did that many times but never once got a traffic ticket for that.
@@MaxChernov the only time I got a traffic ticket in my 20 years of driving was for not wearing a seat belt. Never even got any speeding ticket but 2 gentle reminders that I was travelling more than 10km/h in excess of a 70km/h road and they would enforce the laws if I speed along the same stretch again.
People move to stay elsewhere from their own countries for all kinds of reasons.Not just Singaporeans! eg there are thousands of Brits staying in Spain and Thailand!
For its level of education, progress etc. Singapore feels like a country where there is a collective shrug of "it's not my problem that there is suffering in the world. As long as I get to eat delicious food and make money, what is there to worry about?" Which arguably can be liberating or suffocating, depending on one's values. Maybe I'm just envious of the average Singaporean's ability to keep their blinkers on and remain focused on individual success/happiness. We gotta do what we gotta do to survive I guess. They remind me a bit of the people who choose to live Omelas in Ursula K Le Guin's The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. This isn't to say I'm unimpressed by how much the country's standard of living has increased in the 30 years since I walked away. Almost all of my family still live there and I try to visit when I can, though it's been a while since my last trip back so it's nice to get glimpses of my former home through videos like this one.
Ooooooh totally get you, quite a few extended family members have left including myself. My family history is very intertwined with the country and one of the oldest in Singapore and Malaysia my trauma with the country is more personal, abused by teachers etc it’s horrible to grow up in Singapore in the 1980s. You are never truly over it, but you learn to leave most of the baggage behind.
Totally agree about singaporeans having the constant blinkers part on focusing on individual success as problems abroad doesnt bother them. Brown singaporean here
I agree with the friendliness part. Here in the US, random strangers will say hello on the street. My Singaporean husband will ask if I know the person LOL. Granted it’s usually in the suburbs and not many pedestrians. 😂
I don’t care for strangers saying hello to me. All I ask is to be able to go out regardless of time and know that it’s safe. All that “friendliness” is superficial and pretentious.
Ideally, I would have spent my 20s travelling around the world and accumulating experiences before choosing a country of my choice to work and live in. If I can survive financially in my country of choice, I wouldn't think about returning to Singapore unless I can't get citizenship over there or retiring there is worse than retiring in Singapore. As my career is in the creative industries, Singapore isn't exactly the place where people in my profession can flourish. I feel constantly discouraged by Singapore society and it never fails to make me feel like I chose the wrong career. Although I know I am a person who cannot work at something unless I am really passionate about it. I could have chose to be a teacher and earn an income which steadily increases every year to a comfortable sum but I cannot imagine myself in that job and having to answer to other kids' parents...
According to Professor Martin Jacques, Hong Kong developed first because "it got lucky." Hong Kong had no competition from the mainland for decades. However, when Deng Xiaoping decided to make Shenzhen a free economic zone, the mainlanders caught up. Today, Shenzhen is thriving; Hong Kong is not. The Hong Kong government has failed its people, not the Beijing government, because the former had time but failed to build enough cheap public housing for its people. For a long time, the Hong Kong government had an extractive relationship with real estate tycoons at the expense of the ordinary people of Hong Kong, so to blame Beijing for its recent troubles when the Hong Kong government had time to fix them but didn't is illogical.
Yawn. The tax rate in HK is still very low and business wise it's still pretty good. Salaries are also higher now. You poor people think we're all struggling here which isn't the case. Lots of opportunities in HK, it's up to the ambitious person to find it.
@@robocop581 Business is better in the mainland. Who are you trying to fool? And the living standard for ordinary HKers has declined over time due to poor governance. Expats I know find HK exotic, never mind if the locals live in cages and shoebox apartments. For many, it's not home so there is no motivation to live like most ordinary HKers. It's truly a shame to use Beijing as a scapegoat when the local government and the British had all this time to build better and more public housing for its people but didn't. Democracy? Please... The British never gave HKers the vote. Asides, perhaps the Singapore model of public housing is worth looking at.
I don't even know where you would go to get Singapore food in London. I suppose there must be restaurants, but there's no hawker culture in London. The weather wouldn't permit it if nothing else!
Good luck to this man who prefers England instead of Singapore. He will experience the bitter truth eventually. Safety is top priority for me in a country.
I have lived in finland for 7 years with two kids, my house was robbed n ,y eight year olds were offered drugs, singapore is much much better. This guy has no kids la, he isn’t mature yet
I'm a Singaporean living in Liverpool. My house hasn't been robbed, I have faced no racism, I have never been threatened. The fetishisation of personal safety in Singapore is a bit silly. I have daughters and I feel they are as likely to be upskirted or molested in Singapore as they are here.
If you see drivers in singapore now there'll be tons of people cutting into exits late or just straight up cut "queues" into lanes like the lines doesn't exist and probably don't get anything so i think you're just unlucky getting one ticket...
Talking to strangers depends. If some strangers try to talk to me in the street especially lonely place, I m very careful and try to avoid conversation. I learn my lesson. In crowded environment no problems. In food court talking to hawker uncle and aunties no issue so are the patrons. In the lift ok. But it also depends on the topic. Preferably not too personal. I got carjacked before because of trying to help to pinpoint the thief purported destination. Of cause not in Singapore. I m Malaysian.
@@MaxChernov he can chose anywhere he wants to stay but he doesn't has to brag or talk so big. He loves the western style way of life that is his choice. Singapore is a great country. Make sure he doesn't come back when the shit hit the fan.
Hmm...one has a right to one's personal preferences , " to each their own ". To me , i found Alex has a zest for life and a quick intellect......cheerio !
If a person lives a simple life in Singapore without desires and a luxury lifestyle, Life in Singapore is safer and more free than in other countries. Without Law and Order, there will be disaster. Just like gun killings, murderous and drugs, in a so-called Liberty Country. The Singapore government has foreseen these kinds of disasters will be happening in a developed country, and they need to have strong hold of Laws and Orders.
Don't think the reserved nature of Singaporeans is due to strict laws though. No law agst speaking to strangers. I think it's probably we are taught since young not to speak to strangers because there were kidnappings in the past. And in the Chinese belief, maybe even Malays too, there are people who can "hypnotise" you in handing over money, simply by talking to you. When strangers talk to me, I just become more aware of my surroundings, you know, just in case, I meet a con man. Also it's just not a very Asian thing to go around making conversations with strangers in lift. Feels awkward. However, if i see my neighbours, I do nod my head and greet them, vice versa.
I find some of his stereotyping of Singaporeans rather inaccurate. Like he said we are afraid to break rules and laws. That's not true at all. Just because he got a ticket once for what he thought was a small infringement, doesn't mean the laws here are too strict. I go past the speed limit whenever i drive. I've never received a ticket before in my life. Does that mean the laws here are lax? And bro... you look sooooo much better without the moustache, man! Best of luck to you in your musical career! :)
Agree with traffic laws, they are not strict compared to other countries. And I got tickets in Italy, France, Switzerland and US, but never in Singapore.
well likewise western food in sg is crap or super expensive. the groceries are better in UK with marks and Spencer. Arts and culture of course is diverse in london with the theaters, clubs, pubs,bars, and other venues. the theater and concert maybe 100gbp in UK but it starts at 300sgd in SG for limited shows.
🤣 +50% or get out.... 😂 indeed indeed.... from East Coast Sea View downgraded to Drainage view with running otters. BC is a nice place, I spent many wintering there, Port Coquitlam.
Yes there are hundreds of millions sof people who didn't want to live in the country which they were born. Millions of European n British migrated to every corners of the world n so are the Indian, Japanese, Korean n Chinese. Now many Americans are trying to move out of the US. The other side of the pasture is always greener until they get there n then it is often too late or too old or not allow to come back again.
@@MaxChernov did I say that?? I am merely saying that it is a common for people to move around that that js why we have Chinese, Indian, Caucasian n other nationality in Spore n that is how America is form a land of migrants. Some find opportunity n settled now n some regretted but couldnt go back . I couldnt understand to yr reaction unless you have a hidden objective in yr video.
@@MaxChernov perhaps the education system he went through, it was mentioned that he goes to an international school instead of a local one , plus his growing up years
I am a singaporean who has gone through both local and international school. I think it is easy to generalise what singaporeans should be like but the reality is that we are all different and have different life experiences. There is no “real singaporean” but what he’s referring to are a particular majority of singaporeans who have lived in singapore most of their lives and have only been through the local schooling system. As a result, they have a stronger singaporean accent and speak more singlish etc. (which translates to being more of a genuine singaporean apparently)
@@MaxChernov exactly what was explained above , it’s hard to determine what a real Singaporean is , but a typical Singaporean would be one who was born and bred here , at least that’s what the majority of the population is.
Too organised and too strict is a problem ? Perhaps you prefer getting robbed or beaten up ? Perhaps you prefer shooting in schools ? Too strict is only a problem if you have the intent to be a criminal or be a nuisance to the public.
People who highlight the ban of chewing gum are really scrapping the barrel. I hope Singapore continues the ban. The improper disposal of chewing gum is a public nuisance and eye sore. Some speak as though chewing gum is as necessary as bread 🙄
I respect his choice of where he like to live but he definitely can’t represent as Singaporean while he never think he was at the first place, this is the first Max video I never finished watching all.
Singapore is a place to raise kids and build a family. So the best way is to live is before you have family, live in uk or elsewhere with interesting groups to hang out with and places to go, then come back when you need to settle down. Leave again when you retired. “_”
@@MaxChernov I think the farmer improves what they have (their farm). The hunter just leaves the current place for something better (a new place with more animals to kill). This is my understanding
this guy doesn't consider himself Singaporean, he so desperately needs to separate himself from the locals. even in NS he needs to identify with the "international Students" lol
Lets be honest. Many of the people that go through NS are the fucking worst. You sound different or look different from the rest, you get picked on. You CLB kia in a cohort of mostly Chinese speaking guys, you gonna get bullied. Identifying with and grouping up with the other international students is his best shot at surviving NS.
from my experience having hung out with both local and international people. i would say this is due to cultural and identity, u have the local kids (listens to jay chou, eats prata at late nights) then u have the expat/international kids(listens to dababy and kanye, eats at italian pizzarias). No right or wrong, but theres overlaps, i bring my international friends go eat bak chor mee too. Funniest things are when u bring the two groups together, bloody hilarious, the akwardness.
I think Alex comes across as very personable. I also didn't get the impression he had a desperate need to separate himself from the locals during NS. I did BMT in Tekong in 1991, then OCS in Pasir Laba. I had been in an English boarding school for 7 years prior to this and my platoon and section mates in both places were really decent, despite my strong accent. There weren't any 'international kids' around in any kind of numbers in those days so I feel Alex probably didn't desperately separate himself from the others but just found it more convenient.
@@MaxChernov actually, whole world has become a global village, close your eyes, taking MRT, you can hear Myanmese, Tagalog, Bangladesh, Thai, Laos, Malay, Hindi, European etcetc but within me, I still prefer to stay in the East, somewhere warm, familiar language, easy access to anywhere, secured, Polyclinic, HDB hub, Bedok hub, Tampine hub, where library, swimming pool, Polyclinic, Reading newspaper, hawker Centre, all within reach, where can you find all these, it's all here !?
What garbage??? It’s rubbish and it goes to a bin. Garbage is Canadian and it goes to trash or trashcan. The ears went for North American speakers. I thought Singaporeans are familiar with the UK terminologies.
To me this guy is just running away from problems whenever he encounters them. He just does not want to earn a living. He wants the luxuries of life but doesn't want to work to get them. I have seen many of these people in different cities of the world. They run away from responsibilities whenever they are entrusted with them. Well... it takes all to make the world.
Question to Singaporeans: would you ever want to move out of Singapore?
Yes. Of course
for sure without a doubt
Having worked in a few countries, if for short stints and as a single professional, yea for sure temporarily and I would definitely recommend those of younger generations or even those that are single to take the opportunity to move out of Singapore and work overseas. I think what many local talents lacked is the lack of exposure working elsewhere. But as a father with two children? Am back in Singapore for good, the country's so much better for children as compared to elsewhere around the world, and definitely if you're used to the efficiency in Singapore, it will be hard to get used to elsewhere.
You can take a S'porean out of Singapore BUT you cannot take Singapore of him.
As I grow older, the more I see the good of staying in Singapore
Just came back from SG a week ago. Live and work in London for 25 years. I can tell you that London is absolutely broken, there is no social order here, transport is absolute shite, broken glasses bottle of alcohol are everywhere, youth are running wild and attacking people from time to time for entertainment purpose or for no reason at all, there is no kindness for elderly and people in need on public transport, strikes are more often than I remember. So think very carefully before you migrate to London. Of cos there are a lot of beautiful parts of London and there are a lot of nice people from all over the world but for day to day functioning I could move to SG within a heart beat if I get a job opportunity. Lovely city, very efficient , not heavy traffic, people are nice enough in my opinion.
I have many friends living in London.
I have a feeling that people tend to move out of the city to metropolitan area when they start families
Blah, blah, blah ... what do you expect in a city that's much bigger in size? Singapore is not a real city, it's a sterile amusement park.
well this interviewee is exceptional， he totally love it, and hope he get his UK passport soon
Then move to Essex then😃
Pretty much everywhere else is like that, Singapore an exception. Sometimes I question whether the next generation can survive in other cities, other than Singapore. Can’t protect kids forever, and never know, kids may need to migrate overseas.
Singaporean here living in UK for 4yrs and got a job here recently, FINDING SOME GOOD FOOD PLACES, PLS INTRO, limpei cannot tahan already
Been lived in HK and visit Singapore my husband and I are Asian food lover so living in Singapore is big dream for us ! Currently we are in England and hopefully my husband can find a good job there so we can move to Singapore
I hope you come soon!
While you are a young professional - it's awesome to explore places)) I'm from Russia, I've lived in Vancouver, Canada for a bit and it's still the most beautiful city for me and has a very special place in my heart, love it so much, I've lived in Miami, Fl for 9 years, Seattle, WA for 3 years and now in Portland, OR. What can I say - I would love to move and live to a more modern, safer, and gun-free, drug policy-strict country like Singapore or UAE... I feel like USA and Canada have so many problems that lead them downhill and it's sad because there are a lot of great sides in those countries...
Always wanted to visit Seattle as it’s a capital of grange 💪
Nirvana 🤤
The pasture always looks greener over the other side ...until you really actually live and work there. No country in this world is perfect. It really depends on what kind of lifestyle and standard of living you want. There is always trade offs.
Cannot be more agree with this statement!
Well say.... US is nice but the gun n drug issue is no no for me. I like my country strict law... u deal with drug u will be hang and you were warned.
Well said
Perth is the best!!
Fact that he's not our typical Singapore Singaporean more of an international 2nd gen migrant with a Singapore passport to begin with but I would say that most of us Singaporean boys will respect him as a brother in arms because he served the 2 best years of his life for the country. Having studied and worked in UK and London, he made the right choice for a music major.
Lol I know this guy. His dad is literally a billionaire, and his house is a freaking mansion man
My personal criteria for accepting a migrant as singaporean is if they went through the singapore education system including CCAs.
Rude? Go live in some countries Europe and he’ll get some serious awakening. This guy is privileged , went to international school
Haha what’s wrong with going to international school? 🤔
@@MaxChernov The thing about international school is that it is usually catered to Foreigners who either cant ballot for local school but in cases where foreigners who are singapore PR that voluntarily choose to enrol their kids in an international school suggest that they refuse to assimilate with the locals. From the video i would then infer that alex probably belong to the 1st category in which he came from hongkong couldnt go to a public school and had to join an international school. However the need to distance himself from locals and keep categorizing himself as an international student and meeting "locals" etc throughout the video probably then suggest that he never really assimilated. This is a common issue with studying in an international school. You have your own ecosystem, you never assimilate with the locals hence you will never feel a sense of belonging for that country. Kudos to him for serving his NS obligations though.
@@anguslee6589
Serving NS is mandatory unless one is ready to give up his citizenship.
Alex has a Zest of Life and a quick intellect........cheerio !
100%
Great interview and interviewer!
🙏🙏🙏
Alex is such an interesting guy. Can understand why this video is longer than usual
ALL WE NEEDED TO HAVE OPEN AND HEART TO LIVE IN SINGAPORE.👍👍🇸🇬
Exactly what I said in FB recently. Once shelter is settled the rest is not so bad …
100 percent agreed. Nice to be born with a golden spoon
Thank God very very few locals strike up a conversation in the lift. So good for a total intravert like myself. 😊❤
Haha yeh, convenient
Totally ! Spare me the pretentious chit chat.
@Maksim, absolutely agree with you. We also assume that most people like to be left alone and we hate to be intrusive. Nothing wrong with some silence (and peace) and being comfortable with it.
DOES NOT MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE ALWAYS SMART TO VENTURE ,
NO VENTURE NO GAIN , MY OPINION SINGAPORE IS ALWAYS THE BEST PLACE TO CALLED HOME,
SMALL RED DOT AND VERY CONVENIENCE TO MOVE AROUND SAFETY, BUT AT THE PRESENT MOMENT I AM LIVING ABROAD FOR OVER 45 YEARS. “ CHIA YU SINGAPORE. “ 👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🇸🇬
THANK YOU!!! 😍😍🤩🤩🔥🔥
At Wharton, my MBA school, Singaporeans were the least entrepreneurial. They said so themselves. Indians were the most entrepreneurial and figured out things quickly. There are disadvantages to living in a sterile environment in apartments and condos. Also, almost everyone likes the place they know and they grew up in.
The advantages to being American are Dunning-Kruger syndrome and the high rates of bloated government agencies waiting to get tricked by fast-talking charlatans.
No question that Singapore is cheaper than London. I don't understand how people can live in London, it's eyewatering. That's even allowing for the spike in Singapore rental prices.
Alex is as international as it gets, but it's good to know he still "loves" Singapore. Love the part about 40-pound prata, lol
well.. he's got a Singaporean passport, but I wouldn't say he identifies as Singaporean? his experience is more like a 'third culture kid' that's more international. anyway, presumably he has plenty of $$ set up parents-wise (since he's been through international school, and is living pay cheque to pay cheque now), so as long as he doesn't end up drawing on welfare here in old age, his choices make sense - Singapore isn't really the place for arts music and such relatively speaking.
Would it be good if there were more art in Singapore?
@@MaxChernov In my opinion, it is neither good or bad. Sure it is good if it spun off many roads to success, like design or haute couture or therapy or as a means of making a living for the vulnerable groups. However, if the sustainability relies on taxpayers' heavy subsidies and charities, it is better to let nature takes its own course and find another artistic path that works for the society.
Some of the artsy foreigners who found their niche in Singapore. Apologies if you can't understand Mandarin but the interviewees spoke in English.
Former Yugoslavian artist who teaches art in Singapore.
th-cam.com/video/8YT9KK078Mc/w-d-xo.html
Columbian graffiti artist doing commissioned graffiti in Singapore
th-cam.com/video/JlRjh-G4O84/w-d-xo.html
Russian teaching artistic acrobatics in singapore
th-cam.com/video/JlRjh-G4O84/w-d-xo.html
Kenyan photographer who found her niche in Singapore
th-cam.com/video/g4TYF3ni78I/w-d-xo.html
Tahitian dance teacher teaching Tahitian dance in Singapore
th-cam.com/video/SDeHNOuK7cg/w-d-xo.html
And Max Chernov who is YouTubing in Singapore.
@@MaxChernov it's tough, ties back to the issue of singapore being too small a market. you need a big market for things like art/culture to really flourish, because artists got to eat too. that's also why you see local artists that do well are those that manage to break into the wider markets, msia, taiwan, even china.
Honestly, I don’t think it’s a matter of size of the city for the art to grow. Also, Singapore is more rich compared to other places where arts are flourishing
@@MaxChernov can't help it, it's just a fact. from having enough local artists creating content to having enough people interested in local arts to buy tickets on a regular basis. you can think of cities in other countries like NY, London, but bear in mind that those are concentrations of people from the entire wider country, i.e. entire US/UK (once that critical mass is developed, then tourists from overseas come as well, i.e. snowballing effect). Singapore is 'rich' in terms of the country's stash, but unless you're talking about the govt keeping arts alive by paying the artists with tax payer's money (which is unethical imo), you need the market itself to support the arts for it to be sustainable. which requires scale.
I stumbled across your channel recently, and it's been interesting watching. I've lived and worked in various cities throughout the US and Canada, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore. This guy's comment about Canadians is a generalization based on the area of Canada that he lived in, namely Vancouver. Vancouver has a reputation for being notoriously difficult to make friends in when compared with other parts of Canada. I have lived in Vancouver as well as elsewhere in Canada, and can attest to this. The other thing that this guy had going against him insofar as wanting to live in Canada was his timing. Obtaining PR in Canada used to be very competitive until a few years ago. The Canadian govt has signifcantly increased immigration targets in the last 2 to 3 years, and my perception is that it is quite a bit easier to get into the country now than pre-covid. Sometimes, things just aren't meant to be.
What an interesting person. May he find what he loves best in his life and settle down.
I think the civil defence place he mentioned is at Jalan Bahar area with the nearby cemetery. It is the academy I think.
Yeh I guess so
Yes it’s at Jalan Bahar.
And, it’s “kena tekan” in NS for our local lads ….. ragging to the international boys 😂.
Yes, the nearby cemetery, which is pretty huge, is the Bidadari cemetery.
Like your attitude on National service bro! Singaporean is very direct but not good at expressing themselves. So we may be seen as rude. Hope u can come home one day
Singaporeans are not unfriendly. They are just shy and not outspoken.
@J C ur mother
What's wrong with that lmao?
Sometimes, they are just too stressed out to fake friendliness.
@avenge - Absolutely agree with you. On top of that we are just being cautious and are just wary of scams, etc that is quite common also in other countries too. Human beings are not angels...
It's also our heritage and Asian culture. Hence, we are more reserved.
In Japan, strangers don’t greet each other because they respect each other’s personal space. For example, people don’t talk loudly in public and always use headphones with their personal devices. Many Asians including Singaporeans are like that too maybe.
I think there are certainly repulsive reason why those ventured overseas don't prefer to go back. Could be the system or the people. Singapore score points in certain aspect but that doesn't mean it is the perfect/ideal country for everyone.
All the best, Alex!
Singapore is efficient but too hot and humid.
Never, give up our citizenship. Our government do really add and put alot effort to build our economy.!
It’s a sinking ship, but you are entitled to your opinions, enjoy.
Singapore is sinking ? Then all others had sunk and rotten 😅
To each his own, but I think the way he said he got a traffic ticket is an exaggeration. I did that many times but never once got a traffic ticket for that.
Same for me actually! I got tickets in France, Italy and Switzerland and never in Singapore haha
@@MaxChernov the only time I got a traffic ticket in my 20 years of driving was for not wearing a seat belt. Never even got any speeding ticket but 2 gentle reminders that I was travelling more than 10km/h in excess of a 70km/h road and they would enforce the laws if I speed along the same stretch again.
People move to stay elsewhere from their own countries for all kinds of reasons.Not just Singaporeans! eg there are thousands of Brits staying in Spain and Thailand!
Exactly!
Food is not expensive in London, you need to go to the takeways in East London. £5/6 full meal burger fries and a drink
Good handling of your camera while walking and talking 🎉
For its level of education, progress etc. Singapore feels like a country where there is a collective shrug of "it's not my problem that there is suffering in the world. As long as I get to eat delicious food and make money, what is there to worry about?" Which arguably can be liberating or suffocating, depending on one's values.
Maybe I'm just envious of the average Singaporean's ability to keep their blinkers on and remain focused on individual success/happiness. We gotta do what we gotta do to survive I guess.
They remind me a bit of the people who choose to live Omelas in Ursula K Le Guin's The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas.
This isn't to say I'm unimpressed by how much the country's standard of living has increased in the 30 years since I walked away. Almost all of my family still live there and I try to visit when I can, though it's been a while since my last trip back so it's nice to get glimpses of my former home through videos like this one.
Thanks for the comment! Where do you live now?
@@MaxChernov I live in the UK, or hell as suggested by @OhMyLord? (who is quite right about me not being to keep up)
@@nigeltan397 You could be right. I come from a line with significant generational trauma.
Ooooooh totally get you, quite a few extended family members have left including myself. My family history is very intertwined with the country and one of the oldest in Singapore and Malaysia my trauma with the country is more personal, abused by teachers etc it’s horrible to grow up in Singapore in the 1980s. You are never truly over it, but you learn to leave most of the baggage behind.
Totally agree about singaporeans having the constant blinkers part on focusing on individual success as problems abroad doesnt bother them. Brown singaporean here
This bloke may have lived in Singapore, but he lived in a different sphere.
I agree with the friendliness part. Here in the US, random strangers will say hello on the street. My Singaporean husband will ask if I know the person LOL. Granted it’s usually in the suburbs and not many pedestrians. 😂
😁
I don’t care for strangers saying hello to me. All I ask is to be able to go out regardless of time and know that it’s safe.
All that “friendliness” is superficial and pretentious.
Ideally, I would have spent my 20s travelling around the world and accumulating experiences before choosing a country of my choice to work and live in. If I can survive financially in my country of choice, I wouldn't think about returning to Singapore unless I can't get citizenship over there or retiring there is worse than retiring in Singapore. As my career is in the creative industries, Singapore isn't exactly the place where people in my profession can flourish. I feel constantly discouraged by Singapore society and it never fails to make me feel like I chose the wrong career. Although I know I am a person who cannot work at something unless I am really passionate about it. I could have chose to be a teacher and earn an income which steadily increases every year to a comfortable sum but I cannot imagine myself in that job and having to answer to other kids' parents...
He’s right that NS can be abit like a high school experience. 😅
According to Professor Martin Jacques, Hong Kong developed first because "it got lucky." Hong Kong had no competition from the mainland for decades. However, when Deng Xiaoping decided to make Shenzhen a free economic zone, the mainlanders caught up. Today, Shenzhen is thriving; Hong Kong is not. The Hong Kong government has failed its people, not the Beijing government, because the former had time but failed to build enough cheap public housing for its people. For a long time, the Hong Kong government had an extractive relationship with real estate tycoons at the expense of the ordinary people of Hong Kong, so to blame Beijing for its recent troubles when the Hong Kong government had time to fix them but didn't is illogical.
Yawn. The tax rate in HK is still very low and business wise it's still pretty good. Salaries are also higher now. You poor people think we're all struggling here which isn't the case. Lots of opportunities in HK, it's up to the ambitious person to find it.
@@robocop581 Business is better in the mainland. Who are you trying to fool? And the living standard for ordinary HKers has declined over time due to poor governance. Expats I know find HK exotic, never mind if the locals live in cages and shoebox apartments. For many, it's not home so there is no motivation to live like most ordinary HKers. It's truly a shame to use Beijing as a scapegoat when the local government and the British had all this time to build better and more public housing for its people but didn't. Democracy? Please... The British never gave HKers the vote. Asides, perhaps the Singapore model of public housing is worth looking at.
@@user-fb7rf4kr5k yawn. HK is still a Financial Center. Get back to your clerical job
@@user-fb7rf4kr5k It's funny how low income Twats seem to be know it alls. Hilarious
@@robocop581 Young HKers are struggling. They need cheaper and accessible public housing.
hes a good interviewee, and urre a good interviewer :)
🙏
I don't even know where you would go to get Singapore food in London. I suppose there must be restaurants, but there's no hawker culture in London. The weather wouldn't permit it if nothing else!
3:25 a very scary moment with a huge bench, a short Asian and a towering Ang Mo
😂for real?
@@MaxChernov it was a surreal moment. Like coming out of a David Lynch film
Good luck to this man who prefers England instead of Singapore. He will experience the bitter truth eventually. Safety is top priority for me in a country.
I have lived in finland for 7 years with two kids, my house was robbed n ,y eight year olds were offered drugs, singapore is much much better. This guy has no kids la, he isn’t mature yet
There is no life in the world except Singapore 😁
@Max Chernov bro... there is always life, but depending on what type of life u r looking at. What is your priority at the end of the day.
Prisons are safe too ;)
I'm a Singaporean living in Liverpool. My house hasn't been robbed, I have faced no racism, I have never been threatened. The fetishisation of personal safety in Singapore is a bit silly. I have daughters and I feel they are as likely to be upskirted or molested in Singapore as they are here.
If you see drivers in singapore now there'll be tons of people cutting into exits late or just straight up cut "queues" into lanes like the lines doesn't exist and probably don't get anything so i think you're just unlucky getting one ticket...
Yeh, I think it was a bad luck
If it's fast food, McSpicy is one of the greats, it's true. I don't understand why they don't do them outside Singapore or Hong Kong.
We say rubbish in the UK
Talking to strangers depends. If some strangers try to talk to me in the street especially lonely place, I m very careful and try to avoid conversation. I learn my lesson. In crowded environment no problems. In food court talking to hawker uncle and aunties no issue so are the patrons. In the lift ok. But it also depends on the topic. Preferably not too personal. I got carjacked before because of trying to help to pinpoint the thief purported destination. Of cause not in Singapore. I m Malaysian.
Good luck to him when he grows old
Sarcasm detected :)
Good luck to him when he becomes wiser
@@kasil7539 why? He cannot choose to live somewhere else? 🤔
@@MaxChernov he can chose anywhere he wants to stay but he doesn't has to brag or talk so big. He loves the western style way of life that is his choice. Singapore is a great country. Make sure he doesn't come back when the shit hit the fan.
Hmm...one has a right to one's personal preferences , " to each their own ".
To me , i found Alex has a zest for life and a quick intellect......cheerio !
If a person lives a simple life in Singapore without desires and a luxury lifestyle, Life in Singapore is safer and more free than in other countries. Without Law and Order, there will be disaster. Just like gun killings, murderous and drugs, in a so-called Liberty Country. The Singapore government has foreseen these kinds of disasters will be happening in a developed country, and they need to have strong hold of Laws and Orders.
I have lived in a Nordic country n I am a singaporean, this guy will see reality that Scandinavians don’t give him a job
Why so sure? :)
Don't think the reserved nature of Singaporeans is due to strict laws though. No law agst speaking to strangers. I think it's probably we are taught since young not to speak to strangers because there were kidnappings in the past. And in the Chinese belief, maybe even Malays too, there are people who can "hypnotise" you in handing over money, simply by talking to you. When strangers talk to me, I just become more aware of my surroundings, you know, just in case, I meet a con man. Also it's just not a very Asian thing to go around making conversations with strangers in lift. Feels awkward. However, if i see my neighbours, I do nod my head and greet them, vice versa.
Like the man said..."Follow The Rainbow". He made the right choice & so Followed the Rainbow to UK. 👍
I find some of his stereotyping of Singaporeans rather inaccurate. Like he said we are afraid to break rules and laws. That's not true at all. Just because he got a ticket once for what he thought was a small infringement, doesn't mean the laws here are too strict. I go past the speed limit whenever i drive. I've never received a ticket before in my life. Does that mean the laws here are lax?
And bro... you look sooooo much better without the moustache, man!
Best of luck to you in your musical career! :)
Agree with traffic laws, they are not strict compared to other countries. And I got tickets in Italy, France, Switzerland and US, but never in Singapore.
well likewise western food in sg is crap or super expensive. the groceries are better in UK with marks and Spencer.
Arts and culture of course is diverse in london with the theaters, clubs, pubs,bars, and other venues. the theater and concert maybe 100gbp in UK but it starts at 300sgd in SG for limited shows.
Nooooooo! Western food in Singapore is amazing!
My son was called “the uk boy” during his NS days 😂😂
Where is the place that you interview the Singaporean bro? The scene is nice..never see this place in all Singapore video I’ve seen
stadium
@@MaxChernov thanks pal
It really such a nice view there.👍🏻
This guy should audition if there is ever a remake of Flash Gordon
The towering Russian looks so scary standing next to the short Asian
🤣 +50% or get out.... 😂 indeed indeed.... from East Coast Sea View downgraded to Drainage view with running otters. BC is a nice place, I spent many wintering there, Port Coquitlam.
Those International students he mentioned might be 2nd generation SPR and also some like him.
Yes there are hundreds of millions sof people who didn't want to live in the country which they were born. Millions of European n British migrated to every corners of the world n so are the Indian, Japanese, Korean n Chinese. Now many Americans are trying to move out of the US. The other side of the pasture is always greener until they get there n then it is often too late or too old or not allow to come back again.
So your point is no need to try to live and work in other places?
@@MaxChernov did I say that?? I am merely saying that it is a common for people to move around that that js why we have Chinese, Indian, Caucasian n other nationality in Spore n that is how America is form a land of migrants. Some find opportunity n settled now n some regretted but couldnt go back .
I couldnt understand to yr reaction unless you have a hidden objective in yr video.
I guess I didn’t get the meaning of your fist comment then
Infuture We Singaporean dun feel Singapore is Our Land seems like too many Things taking over
1 in 3 in Singapore is a foreigner..
Scdf - Jalan Bahar. :) - Civil Defense Academy. - cause he’s a instructor.
Yes... better to compare London and Singapore. Not Malaysia against Singapore. 1st world against 1st world. Cool n upright clip this round. Cheers.
Singapore has not reached the level of the London yet lmao 😂
@Hana Wolfgang well I guess each have it owe good point.
20:50 is that a scene from one of the Rocky films?
No, it’s our arms! 😂
Predator 1 - you son of a bitch scene
@@LapisandHamtarolover thanks !
obviously he's never been to penang and kl where we have those little green lights at parking lots for years and years now. nothing to boast about 🙄
I'll give this guy 3 years at most before he comes back.
20:50 ha ha! top moment!! 🤣
Thanks to my editor! 😁
Sounds like bro is coming back at some point ;p.
The McSpicy.
Don't come between man's food.
It is obvious that he is NOT a “real” Singaporean.
Can you define REAL Singaporean?
@@MaxChernov perhaps the education system he went through, it was mentioned that he goes to an international school instead of a local one , plus his growing up years
Ok I see. But what’s the characteristics of real Singaporean?
I am a singaporean who has gone through both local and international school. I think it is easy to generalise what singaporeans should be like but the reality is that we are all different and have different life experiences. There is no “real singaporean” but what he’s referring to are a particular majority of singaporeans who have lived in singapore most of their lives and have only been through the local schooling system. As a result, they have a stronger singaporean accent and speak more singlish etc. (which translates to being more of a genuine singaporean apparently)
@@MaxChernov exactly what was explained above , it’s hard to determine what a real Singaporean is , but a typical Singaporean would be one who was born and bred here , at least that’s what the majority of the population is.
Yes! Singapore too organise and too strict. People don't talk or friendly or open
And? How is that a problem?
@@hanawolfgang eventually you get depression.
Too organised and too strict is a problem ?
Perhaps you prefer getting robbed or beaten up ?
Perhaps you prefer shooting in schools ?
Too strict is only a problem if you have the intent to be a criminal or be a nuisance to the public.
People who highlight the ban of chewing gum are really scrapping the barrel.
I hope Singapore continues the ban.
The improper disposal of chewing gum is a public nuisance and eye sore.
Some speak as though chewing gum is as necessary as bread 🙄
I respect his choice of where he like to live but he definitely can’t represent as Singaporean while he never think he was at the first place, this is the first Max video I never finished watching all.
If you need to freshen your mouth , our convenient stores and supermarkets have a wide selection of mouth wash , sweets and mints.
Singapore is a place to raise kids and build a family. So the best way is to live is before you have family, live in uk or elsewhere with interesting groups to hang out with and places to go, then come back when you need to settle down. Leave again when you retired. “_”
Interesting observation!
Wheres that big bench at 3:20
honestly I don't remember haha. Why?
Kallang, near Singapore Sports Hub
Yes in the area of Sport hub. There is also one at the boardwalk in front of marina bay area near the front of MBS. On the left end of MBS.
Oh yes yes! Next to the stadium!
Farmer will stay.
Hunter will leave.
Think about it.
What? 🤔
@@MaxChernov I think the farmer improves what they have (their farm). The hunter just leaves the current place for something better (a new place with more animals to kill). This is my understanding
local singaporean will not study in international school, mostly you are a not origin singaporean..
0:56 I didn’t know Max is so tall 😮 or is it because Alex is very short? 😅
I’m 190cm :)
@@MaxChernov No wonder. 😅
that moustache is such an eye sore. makes him look like someone not to be taken seriously.
this guy doesn't consider himself Singaporean, he so desperately needs to separate himself from the locals. even in NS he needs to identify with the "international Students" lol
Lets be honest. Many of the people that go through NS are the fucking worst. You sound different or look different from the rest, you get picked on. You CLB kia in a cohort of mostly Chinese speaking guys, you gonna get bullied.
Identifying with and grouping up with the other international students is his best shot at surviving NS.
from my experience having hung out with both local and international people. i would say this is due to cultural and identity, u have the local kids (listens to jay chou, eats prata at late nights) then u have the expat/international kids(listens to dababy and kanye, eats at italian pizzarias). No right or wrong, but theres overlaps, i bring my international friends go eat bak chor mee too. Funniest things are when u bring the two groups together, bloody hilarious, the akwardness.
I think Alex comes across as very personable. I also didn't get the impression he had a desperate need to separate himself from the locals during NS. I did BMT in Tekong in 1991, then OCS in Pasir Laba. I had been in an English boarding school for 7 years prior to this and my platoon and section mates in both places were really decent, despite my strong accent. There weren't any 'international kids' around in any kind of numbers in those days so I feel Alex probably didn't desperately separate himself from the others but just found it more convenient.
Same as me
Civil Defence Academy at Jalan Bahar.
Thanks!
Interesting conversation! 👍
Starts with N.. Neo Tiew
16:15 nahh we say rubbish! ahaha
If you brush your teeth properly you don't need chewing gum..
Actually Batam is nice balanced place where people, city , country side all within vicinity, and, and , and is closed to Singapore
Different lifestyle compared to Singapore
@@MaxChernov actually, whole world has become a global village, close your eyes, taking MRT, you can hear Myanmese, Tagalog, Bangladesh, Thai, Laos, Malay, Hindi, European etcetc but within me, I still prefer to stay in the East, somewhere warm, familiar language, easy access to anywhere, secured, Polyclinic, HDB hub, Bedok hub, Tampine hub, where library, swimming pool, Polyclinic, Reading newspaper, hawker Centre, all within reach, where can you find all these, it's all here !?
He lost me at I LOVE McDonalds - what a joke
Errr comparing Singaporean Mcd and UK McD ? LOLLL
I think this guys is an actor.. Ah boy to men?
Hahaha
But no
This guy got a easy ns
can behave and talk like anmo..in singapore you are pinoy.
What garbage??? It’s rubbish and it goes to a bin. Garbage is Canadian and it goes to trash or trashcan. The ears went for North American speakers. I thought Singaporeans are familiar with the UK terminologies.
😂
wow, all his $$$$ and assets worldwide need to pay 40% tax to UK ..... pokkai liao
"loves macdonalds" .... enuf said. Definitely better off elsewhere.
To me this guy is just running away from problems whenever he encounters them. He just does not want to earn a living. He wants the luxuries of life but doesn't want to work to get them. I have seen many of these people in different cities of the world. They run away from responsibilities whenever they are entrusted with them. Well... it takes all to make the world.
Why would you think so? The guy is living his life 100%
Good. Keep suffering 😅
😴
Boring?
who at your age still eat McDonald?
Why not haha
£6 for a Guinness? That doesn’t sound right.
Higher lower?
@20:12 Noooo. Disagree
Why do you disagree?
Why? :) when you are young you have to explore places, no?
@@Tripdoxx competition and stress from education system is one.
@@herio7776 When you are looking at a place to have a family, you've gotta look at more than just the downsides relative to other places.
@@Tripdoxx no thanks. Personally went through the education system from Kindergarden to NUS. Wouldnt let another kid go through my journey
Come on, too fake..🤔🥱🙁
Why? 🤔
@@MaxChernov The slang.
Sounds about right. Not quite Singlish, leans towards British accent. I believe is not fake.