Comments for Texas on Thames

Comment on The Happiness Campaign by SusieQ

SusieQ — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:20:13 +0000

I wonder if a society based on pure consumption could ever be really happy?

Comment on The Happiness Campaign by Laura

Laura — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:33:43 +0000

I think you are right, Starhub is trying to associate their name with “happiness” in whatever form they can find.

As always, I appreciate hearing your perspective, Halim.

Comment on The Happiness Campaign by Halim

Halim — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:53:15 +0000

I don’t mind the campaigns. They’re just there in the background, one after another. I admit I hardly pay attention to them, and maybe some or most don’t actually work, but I like that the government continues to try to encourage/remind us gently to be better people, example be more considerate.

On the other hand, I go to Thailand and most of the people I meet are so gracious and when I think about it, it’s embarrassing that it seems we need campaigns and reminders to be nice and they don’t.

But after living in Malaysia for some time I certainly wish the government there would have more campaigns like us too haha! Some things there are better than Singapore, but I also got so fed up sometimes, like with queue jumpers for example. Not that Singaporeans are well-behaved all the time, but we can learn a lot from each other.

I didn’t know of The Happiness Campaign until I’ve read it here! To be honest it made me cringe at first (‘Ugh we need a nudge to be happy’) But I don’t know, I’m thinking that it’s just mostly a marketing thing to promote the StarHub name. But even though I think it’s silly to respond to the ridiculous Gallup poll, if anyone is inspired to defend Singapore and Singaporeans (and not for the phone and cash haha), that’s great!

Comment on Singapore Photo of the Day: Nap Time by Halim

Halim — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:36:00 +0000

The last project I had which involved me being at the construction site working alongside a couple of these foreign workers (from India and Bangladesh) was two years ago. It was just a small thing, making over an existing pool with new features and finishing.

Their manual labour work is exhausting alright. Before long, I was bringing packed food so I just could just wolf it down and get down to a nap myself, instead of venturing out for lunch. It makes a big difference to coping with the rest of the day.

Comment on Notes from a Chinese New Year outsider by Laura

Laura — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:16:17 +0000

So many oranges! I think I had an overdose of Vitamin C.

Comment on Notes from a Chinese New Year outsider by Naomi Hattaway

Naomi Hattaway — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:51:59 +0000

So what do you think post-CNY?

Comment on New Kid In Town by Diana Mahmoud

Diana Mahmoud — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 02:21:37 +0000

Oh I can really relate to this post! I hope we get more guests soon because it helps me see this country through there eyes and it helps my attitude!

Comment on The mosquito truck by Laura

Laura — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:08:24 +0000

Thanks for the insight, Ed. I wonder how the governments will approach the mosquito / Malaria problem in the future. I’m curious as to where these better control methods are being used and exactly what they are.

Comment on Badvertising: Washing Machines and Diamonds by Laura

Laura — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 15:03:36 +0000

Yeah, I want to be surprised, but sadly, I’m not.

Comment on Badvertising: Washing Machines and Diamonds by Sarah Catherine Hanson

Sarah Catherine Hanson — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:34:18 +0000

Oh my. I love it when advertisers are blatantly sexist, so I can point and say, “See?!!? I told you so!!” to all of those who are woefully ignorant.