London and Singapore: A tale of two cities

London and Singapore: A story of contrasts, a study of comparisons; viewed by an outsider, seen through an Indian eye. A recent relocation from London to Singapore compels me to constantly compare, to marvel at all the differences, the disparity, the glaring dissimilarity between worlds that are poles apart, not just literally.
For a start, Singapore is sunny and hot.London is not. In Singapore, you sweat by the bucket loads; In London, you forget what perspiration means. Warm baths and central heating make London living cozy, while cold showers and air-con render Singapore weather bearable.
In London, you are always on guard, with police cars whizzing past dramatically, almost reassuringly. Sirens from police, ambulances, fire engines pierce the air, time and again. In Singapore, one feels safe. The crime rates are low, police presence is limited and I have yet to see a fire engine. In London, buskers, tramps, hoodies are very much part of the milieu. They are rarely seen or heard in Singapore. The stereotype of an Indian in London is the north Indian, usually a Gujarati or a Punjabi. In Singapore, the stereotype of an Indian is the south Indian, mostly Tamilian. In London, chicken tikka masala rules. ‘Pratas’ dominate in Singapore. Singapore has Little India while Mini Indias flourish all over London. In Singapore, every other person seems to be rich; in London, every other person wishes they were rich. In Singapore, every other woman wears Prada or Gucci or Chanel. In London, every other woman wears M&S. In London, I am a ‘petite’, but in Singapore I am XXL! Or worse, the shop assistant looks at me and declares that they do not do my size in their shop. In London, shop assistants have an ‘attitude’; in Singapore they bend over backwards to please ‘madam’, especially if ‘madam’ looks rich. After DIY [Do-It-Yourself] in London, maids in Singapore are an absolute luxury. In London, I was usually called by my first name, in Singapore, I am ‘madam’ and my husband is ‘Sir’! Lollipop ladies and dinner ladies in London life have given way to bus ‘aunties’ and canteen ‘aunties’ in Singapore.
Boots in London have been exchanged for flip-flops in Singapore. Nail art in Singapore now replaces socks, stockings and callouses in London. Hot pants in Singapore against hot water bottles in London!
Waterparks and outdoor pools in Singapore vie with indoor heated pools and outdoor ice rinks in London. Oxford Street in London compares with Orchard road in Singapore. There was Primark in London, but I am still searching for a substitute in Singapore!
Life was less stressful with free healthcare in London, thanks to the NHS! There are no such freebies in Singapore.
Relatively cheap taxis and helpful taxi drivers are a pleasure in Singapore but cannot match the charm of old-world black cabs in London.
Minding your Ps and Qs in London is akin to respectful bows and nods in Singapore. Stiff upper lips and no eye contact in London are exchanged for stares and some smiles in Singapore.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s in London are swapped by Cold Storage and Fairprice in Singapore. And of course, Mustafa, farmer’s market in London is traded for wet market in Singapore. The aroma of freshly baked bread welcomes one to London grocery stores while the overpowering smell of durian in Singapore stores is not for the faint hearted.
No food and drink are allowed in spotless Singapore trains. What a sharp contrast to the alcohol, fries, gum and just about everything on the London Underground!
Narrow, winding, expensive parking in Singapore makes me nostalgic for the easy, sometimes free and even parent-child parking slots in London.
Sipping coffee in roadside cafes in London is now replaced by chomping on local delights in food courts that are open at all hours in Singapore. A great meal for less than a fiver in Singapore is a treat compared to nothing decent for a tenner in London. Fish and chips in London or chilli crab in Singapore. Both get my vote.
In London, a much-loved takeaway food was Singapore noodles. I am still looking for Singapore noodles in Singapore. ‘Darling’ and ‘love’ in London are just as endearing as ‘Cannot lah’ in Singapore. Cockney colloquialism competes with clipped, posh Queen’s English in London. Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and Singlish coexist in Singapore.
When I travel on the Singapore MRT, I like to pretend I am on the London Tube. As I travel from Serangoon to Dhoby Ghaut, I shut my eyes and feel the cold air from the air-con. I could well be on my way from Paddington to Kings Cross. Regrettably, I am interrupted from my reverie by the familiar announcement “mind the gap”. Mind the gap … indeed!