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30 Years Living In Asia, Life in Singapore with Conor O’Sullivan
In this interview I talk to Conor O’Sullivan, an Irishman who moved to Singapore in 1993. Conor tells us why he made the move to Asia as a young man and what his first impressions of Singapore were. We discuss the pros and cons of living in Singapore as well as the cost of living. I also ask Conor about the judicial punishment of caning which goes on in Singapore. Join us for another expat in Asia story!
#thairishtimes #singapore #lifeinasia
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Here’s an interview of a Singaporean working in Ireland on my friend’s channel: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q2F6t7tpnsyZido.html
@alifeindublin
Жыл бұрын
Thanks a mill Pete. Brilliant interview with Conor!
A story. I arrived in Singapore in 1956 when it took 3 days in a 4 engined propeller driven aircraft. We took off from Blackbush airport just off the A4. Travelled via Brindize, Istanbul, Bagdad, Cairo, Karachi, Delhi, Colombo, Bangkok, KL, Singapore. We flew at around 9000 ft. Sick bags were an absolute necessity. I returned age 12 to attend hoarding school in England. Returned again as a young soldier for the Borneo Confrontation. After a life as a soldier, computer programmer and God knows what, I'm still out here enjoying retirement in Hua Hin in my late 70s.
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Fantastic story if you’re interested in telling it here on the channel here’s my email thairishtimes@gmail.com
As a Singaporean, I totally agreed on his points. We are not perfect and never will but we will keep trying.if not we will be left behind as a small country without natural resources.
@Jake-zk3eb
Жыл бұрын
You're singapore isn't perfect, but the again which country is?
Remember 1 in 4 is a foreigner. And a higher % are foreigners on trains and buses! Of non Singaporean cultures from diff education systems. I’ve noticed behavioural differences. Singaporeans are quite patient in queues. not a greedy “grab all for myself “people . A Very kind, and giving society.
Singapore is great if you earn the money, I did around 10yrs overall working & living there, also did a stint in the local prison cell, they treated me very well to be honest-chicken & rice. I've not gone back since, now living well in Indonesia.
My humble comments as a Singaporean: Always interesting to hear what people think or perceive about Singapore/Singaporeans. And I did enjoy this interview. No country is perfect, not least, Singapore. What works for Singapore doesn’t necessarily work elsewhere. How we are are almost always a combination of our history, our culture, our existential challenges, etc. Perhaps, one useful measure of how liveable a country is if one is a low-middle income residence. Many of our strengths can be (and are) our potential weaknesses. Eg, we are quite a “manicured” city but most things do really work - quite efficiently and effectively; We are definitely a developed city with all the fancy attractions and capitalistic enticements. But there are many unbelievably “inexpensive” ways to live comfortably here. We have all the spectrum of almost any cities - ie good, bad and ugly. We are never static. Singapore is constantly evolving. Many of us were migrants of old, new migrants continue to change our landscape. Singapore is definitely not for people who wants unfettered “freedom of speech”, test or break the laws, put personal rights over community. However, don’t get distracted by the many misinformed or ill-informed cliché about Singapore eg gum chewing, caning, laws, cost-of-living rankings. Conor, I sincerely hope living and working in Singapore is/will be the best decision you’ve made. People like you enrich us. If it’s any comfort, even as a local-born Singaporean, I’m not comfortable nor do I like everything in Singapore. Hopefully, I hope I’m not the bad or ugly Singaporean. 😊
@crosbyong
Жыл бұрын
Apologies for a few typo errors.
@Catherinetatethefkingliberty
Жыл бұрын
🤜👏.. I like the caning laws. I think the law should let 50 to 60 year old men be caned for aggravated sexual offenses, like sexual assault on grand children. cane female pimps also.
Hi Connor.. for 30yrs of your life here in SG, you certainly are a Singaporean no matter what. Wish you a good life here. Best regards.
@jamesdivine69
Жыл бұрын
Pity the same can't be said for the brown skin workers lah
@mixalis6168
Жыл бұрын
@@jamesdivine69 Isnt that applicable to all over the world !
@jamesdivine69
Жыл бұрын
@@mixalis6168 Sadly seems so now. There was a time under the Roman empire where free slaves could buy land and property.
Singapore is the best city in the world .
I vouch for 99% as a 30 year old expat and Singapore PR. I couldn’t return to the UK ( too far gone) . But it’s a bad financial decision to retire there unless you’ve no debts.
Great interview, Mr. Pete. Agree with Mr. Connor about the pros and cons living in Singapore. Thank you 🙏🏽🙇🏻♀️😊
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Really glad you liked it 🙏🙏
Tony Huuuuuuuuuge!!!!! Great interview Pete! Love hearing about other places in Asia and not solely Thailand!
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Cheers Ted, Tony was an interview I will never forget. Glad you liked this one Ted, we ventured away from the Thai niche here and it was cool to hear about another SE Asian county
he came @ the right time, Singapore was the best in the 90s... as a S'porean I cant wait to retire in Thailand hopefully soon.
16 years in Singapore ...I have one local friend...at work I connected more to other Asian nationalities...it is not easy for me to connect to SG locals and trust me I have tried and tried and tried. 4 months into living in KL and locals here are the best, already plenty of friends...so caring and welcoming
@mhanwen4899
Жыл бұрын
Move on goodbye
@jt5566
Жыл бұрын
Live in HDB, volunteer in grassroots you will feel more grounded.
@Awarene613
Жыл бұрын
@@mhanwen4899 I love you too
@Awarene613
Жыл бұрын
@@jt5566 5 years with Bukit Timah foster home, I think I have been more confronted w the dark realities of Singapore than most Singaporeans….how about volunteering, kids need help?
@nocturnally879
Жыл бұрын
Remember? Make the first move and you'll see the difference. Singaporeans are shy by nature...
great interview .....great content....Conor is such a kind hearted soul ....he always take his wife's needs into consideration...much respect...I really enjoyed this interview....free flowing and real..
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks, i’m glad you liked it
I'm all for bringing back the Lash! Laughing, at the same time, quite serious.
@2seraya
Жыл бұрын
The lash in Singapore has a real deterrent effect partly due to mystery surrounding it. You wouldn't want to be in one 🥴.
Great interview.. very interesting indeed and I have to concur with your guest.. very good style of interviewing.. thanks.
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks very much Jim
Great interview!
I have visited Singapore a number of times and love it and will come back again but could never live there. The price of alcohol is a good start but l feel life would be spent in shopping centres and also TURN THE BLOODY AIR-CONDITIONING DOWN. The only place in Sth E Asia you need to take a jumper everywhere you go. Another great interview Pete, good to see that you are spreading out from Thailand
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it, I thought we take a break away from the Thai niche for a change
@lailian1054
Жыл бұрын
Haha, I am Singaporean and I have to agree with you on the air con part!
@shaunashton9744
Жыл бұрын
@@lailian1054 otherwise where would you wear all those expensive Armani suits. Great to see that a Singaporean agrees with me, love your city and hope to be back soon
Great interview and I agree Pete you leave people to talk and you ask some good questions thank you for another great viewing
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Margaret🙏🙏🙏
Those photos on canning on the internet are from Malaysia.
Good job. Nice to meet Conor.
Great interviewer and interview.
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks☺️☺️
Another great interview Pete and made me 555 at the end.
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Haha glad it made you laugh
As an encouragement to you, there are locally born Caucasian Singaporeans and they will of course feel different as you do but what you're actually experiencing is what it's like to be part of a minority. I know this because I'm Eurasian and we're also part of a minority group. Rest assured, you're less of an outsider than you think.
@nocturnally879
Жыл бұрын
Insider, outsider, don't let this affect you....
I really liked this interview. Really informative. Thank you. 😊
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks😁
Nah… the younger generation would treat u as Singaporean…
Great content - really informative ! You have brilliant interviewing skills , Pete .
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thank you Paul
We should have canning in Ireland to stop idiots from vandalism.
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Fair shout, especially when crime is on the rise
1994 and you worked 730am to 11pm. That is hard core hours I was in London 730am to 530am which I thought was hard
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
22 hours of work! How did you sleep?
U r one of us when u have the same shared experiences as the locals.
À Very Nice Relaxed and Interesting Interview with a Civilized Man. 🙏
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it Gert
Singapore is good place to raise kids as good education system and safe environment. You are bird in golden case there. It is the same when I was listening friends from Liverpool and Manchester, I barely understood words from them.
If u have fully paid your hdb mortgage, buy a cheap condo and rent the condo out. Try as fast to clear the condo mortgage, u can live in hdb and rent the condo for your retirement
Im Singaporean and i agree we do look boring But when you foreigners talked to us, ask for directions of course you will see the other side of us And Angmohs who integrate with our cultures and languages.. let me tell you lah , you confirm be one of us want (Singlish mode)
good questions and honest answers. I'm I am the guys shoes and have similar experiences. would be interested to speak with your guest.
That's a far better interview 👏👏👏👏👏
Likewise if a Chinese Singaporean lives in Ireland for many years he will still be treated as an outsider , it’s the same everywhere in the world , integrate but keep your own identity . Doesn’t mean you are not welcomed or respected A foreigner will take a while to understand the local sense of humour. Different but Most Asians are not into self deprecating humour
Connor. You are a singmoh. You lived in sg longer then i have. 1994. I lived in london. I was one of those local kids who left sg when young and only came back as an adult, so yes, educated overseas in international schools. Michael faye. That kid was big trouble. My sis went to the american school at kings road when he was attending that school. He was trouble and he did alot of damage to peoples cars, and other public property. Kinda forgot what else he did, but from what we hear, he ran into trouble back statewise. So it is what it is.
Hi Pete 👋 That's all I really wanted to say but I am glad to see that more and more people are coming forward to complement you on your interviewing skills 👍Of course you are the one doing all the work and the one with knack for being a natural in that position of interview host. I wasn't alone either in my praise for you and your skills to interview people early on. I read plenty of comments supporting you and telling you what a great job you was doing. People commenting about what a natural you are. All early on👍 Great picture BTW, Cheers to the handsome couple 🥂 Nune looks stunning 😍
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate, I just like to hear what people have to say. I've always been very inquisitive and curious. So i genuinely want to hear an answer to my question. I'm glad that you and others appreciate the interview style. I never thought it would be a success when I started but here we are and it's been one hell of a journey!!
Very interesting Pete...
You have to be honest. The members of the angmo community keep to themselves very, very much. You could have lived here for that 'many' years but you are still an outsider looking in. So I will just take your perspective as that of an outsider.
@Aurica34
Жыл бұрын
I agree with you. Majority of angmos dont really want to mix or integrate with the locals.
@Catherinetatethefkingliberty
Жыл бұрын
Agree .
Interesting interview
Yep Gr8t interview.🏁
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks 🙏🙏
Born to do this Pete another great interview hope you enjoyed Kilkenny.
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Peter ☺️☺️
He could rent his singapore apartment out for a high price, and retire in thailand, malaysia, or anywhere else. 😀
The reason why things like alcohol and cigarettes and cars are so expensive is because the government taxes the heck out of those items. Provides a heavy economic disincentive to get them. The COE provides a measure of control over the population of cars in Singapore. You can have only as many cars as COEs.
Nice interview. I was there, Galway and Dublin. Not sure the hitchhiking still stay?
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
I hope you enjoyed it. I’m not sure if many people hitchhike now but I bet you met interesting people doing it
Good interview! Applying a Singaporean citizenship is not difficult from what I know from my colleagues. From my experience as an expatriate in Singapore and still work with the company but base in Bangkok, I found Singapore is a very safe country because of the cctv and they take penalty seriously, even feeding a pigeon is illegal. 😅 I'm Thai. And Thai means freedom so I don't see myself fit in there. But I have lot of good Singaporean friends. 😌
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
cool thanks for sharing
@anchored555
Жыл бұрын
Update: it’s not easy to get Singapore PR anymore, let alone citizenship. They have been tightening up in recent years, and especially since Singapore has had a deluge of well heeled applicants from all over the world, especially HK/China, in the last year or so due to how they handled the Covid pandemic relatively well. I don’t think Singapore is safe just because of the cctv. There are many more factors at play eg a culture that generally respects law, order and authority. I’m Singaporean and have lived here for more than 60 years. Most of the time, I’m not even aware of cctvs. They are mostly around public/commercial buildings, which I’m sure is also the case in many big cities eg London. But does that deter crime there?
@impopquiz
Жыл бұрын
Most of these silly laws are there to deter people committing them but are usually not enforced unless people make a police report. U can do what u want, just don’t get caught/ reported by someone else. 😉
@leewn2319
Жыл бұрын
It’s not silly laws. The problems with people is every individual just wanna do what pleases themselves without due consideration to consequences of their action which may have adverse impacts on the environment, social fabric / harmony / security. For example laws against feeding wild animals including pigeons is to protect nature, so that pigeons would not lose their natural instinct to find their own food which are suitable for their digestive system. Also when pigeons rely on humans to feed them, their behavior changed, their droppings are health hazards and they become a nuisance to the built environment. Chewing gum when indiscriminately disposed they cause costly cleaning and nuisance to the public (sticking to shoes, cause breakdown of train services etc). Hope that explain the need for detergent laws.
Without further ado
Singapore passport is the second best passport to have in the whole wide world, first being Japan
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Ireland is up there too, in the top 10. We don't have any enemies lol never started any wars
@thomaspick4123
Жыл бұрын
What about Israel passport? They allow dual citizenship. An Israeli can commit a crime in another country and run away back to Israel. There is no extradition to other countries to face criminal prosecution.
Good interview 😊. Caning is only for VERY serious offences like rape. Not for sexual harassment.
There are many irish actors in hollywood
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
Yeah we have some good ones there
A school day with Conor today 👍 Thoroughly enjoyable vlogging, Pete. 🙏 Ps noticed you're holding a menthol inhaler in your hand, just like a Thai 😊
Interesting. I know what you mean about manners. If you have grown up with British/Irish manners you have to forget it when you go abroad to live, or you'll be constantly getting offended when they're not reciprocated. You can retain your manners but don't expect them back. Same with queuing. Even talking calmly and politely will get you knowwhere in some countries. You have to raise your voice like the locals do, or they will not respect you. These are cultural differences you have to accept , or move on. Many move on, they think they come from advanced places and don't want to downgrade, and I can see their point of view. Unless you are on to a big winner, migration from Europe to Asia is madness for most people. OK, if you are a millionaire and can live the top end life then do it. But to join the Asian working class, when you grew up in Dublin and could have progressed locally, nuts.
@Aurica34
Жыл бұрын
ADVANCE and DOWNGRADE, wow .... is trying to imply Asian Culture as lesser. Can't people just accept the differences?
@paulbrown5839
Жыл бұрын
@@Aurica34 Yes, many parts of Asia are third world. Young Brits go there for a bit of cheap reckless fun in "paradise" (myself included many years ago). But those young ones who stay long term are going to have to assimilate into the Asian working class, unless they somehow have means to live outside the system in paradise. That is a hard life-forget the beaches, say hello to low paid factory work. Why would you choose to go into a system many want to leave? Especially as you will always be an outsider. Maybe your grandchildren will be accepted, if you marry into a local family. OK, if you retire there that's different, you are outside the system. I'm talking about people who choose to spend their prime years in third world countries.
@Aurica34
Жыл бұрын
@@paulbrown5839 There is a certain whiff of white supremacy in your post.
@paulbrown5839
Жыл бұрын
@@Aurica34 Haha, generous white supremacists are more than welcome in Pattaya, right?
@Aurica34
Жыл бұрын
@@paulbrown5839 That is mostly just Thailand. And you are making a blanket statement that Europe is more advanced than ASIA. Asia is a very large place. Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan are developed countries. China, Malaysia are developing. So please cut the crap about stating Europe is MORE ADVANCED than ASIA as a whole. The racism that reeks from you is unreal. Should we also start generalizing that all white men are pedophiles that go to thailand and myanmar to exploit the poor? Clearly that isn't the case. Maybe it is just people like you, a predator that exploits the poorer people.
Yes. Cars are status symbol. So you do not damage or vandalised peoples' cars. They cost an arm and a leg...here
Ok. Subscripted. Good interview
Hi Connor, Sg will be so honored if you take take SG citizenship and add another dimension with your Irish heritage’s to our multiracial multi cultural society. We have Sg Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesians, Philippines, English, Africans, etc.
Dear Pete, U met the wrong Singaporeans! 😂 Also, I’ve been told the caning will split the skin by the 3rd stroke. 😅 The rising rents is due to more demand with not enough supply. Same as the resale house market.
you're addicted to inhaler too? I prefer the liquid type 😅
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
I love my inhaler!!😁
I'm Singaporean and yes, the residents of this city don't seem to "give way", whether it's walking on the street, getting into the MRT train, or boarding a bus. I blame the tone from the top. If you're old enough, you'll remember the government telling you everyone's out to steal your lunch, so you better make sure you do everything you can to protect it. That mentality has been ingrained in the populace.
@jomontanee
Жыл бұрын
Whoa. I never knew that before(I am Thai). Thanks for sharing.🙏
@leewn2319
Жыл бұрын
The Pioneer & Merdeka Generations are generally more considerate and courteous. As society grow affluent, current young generations tend to be more bashful, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, impatient and less respectful.
@btkindonesia137
Жыл бұрын
Plus putting tissue paper on a table to protect their place before others can sit down to eat.....crazy city.
@ogukuo97
Жыл бұрын
I have different perspective. We do give way.
@aero.l
Жыл бұрын
Don't be moronic. Never been to Hong Kong? You think people give way there? You talk as if people have no control over their hands and legs.
Well...even now with $136k a SGD package per annum. I still feel poor in Singapore.
@vennsim71
Жыл бұрын
Try taxes in other countries 😂
@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG
Жыл бұрын
@@vennsim71 But other countries COVERS MORE of your life with those taxes. So even though their taxes seemed higher, they have a better quality of life. Singapore tax heavy through everything and that EVEN includes your BASIC necessities. Tell me how many old folks you see in Singapore collecting used cardboards and clearing people’s dirty plates in the food courts just to get by?!
@vennsim71
Жыл бұрын
@@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG not many as compared to your country with old folks begging in the streets and homeless, waiting to while their last days away. Your young ones are mostly addicts roaming around trying to swindle money out of others’ pockets, if not resort to crimes. Legitimately working for extra dollars in the pockets are fine. These days lesser older people are working in food courts, even lesser rag and bone men. Malaysians, Chinese and Indonesian workers are taking up those work.
We don't really see you as an outsider unless you want to set yourself apart. Expatriate communities in Singapore usually keep to themselves and don't really try to integrate with the locals either way. I never treated my white friends here as an outsider... maybe your mixing with the wrong generation and Singaporeans of your same age may be like that.
Living in Singapore in the 70's was a place with great vibrations! Myanmar stil preserves a little of this past!. Most of my Sing friends have now left. For Taiwan, Aus, China etc. Sing' is rather boring place based on rules an regulations and money and a little woke.environment! Not a place for Adventurers but ideal for ex pats who need secure life with Cold Storage and Shoppin Malls
The Shhisstory was a great one. Get back to Thailand Pete, get the interviews going. Your a mster of the mike and your ability to put a straw into people and draw out every little dabble of there lives. "Pete Peckers Connor O'Sullivan" "Pete Peckers Tim Norton" or "Pete Pecks People" Go wild young man, don't say I coulda, don't say I shoulda. Just do it ✅
As a Singaporean I don't feel safe, not in the physical sense, but in the military and stretegic sense. For one Singapore is just too small to be defended. Imagine unfriendly forces firing Himars missiles, Singapore would easily be another Lebanon soon. We have to import most of the essentials. Without a hinterland how long can Singapore last? Sorry for being so pessimistic. Just pointing out the obvious.
@vennsim71
Жыл бұрын
Up to individuals. For me Singapore is home and felt best compared to many other countries I’ve been to, worked in, lived in. Peace and security, and I love the time I served in the Army, would definitely fight for my country.
It's rather amusing when Westerners, especially the British, call caning in Singapore barbaric, if one commits certain crimes, because they seem to forget that caning in Singapore was first introduced to Malaya and Singapore during the period of British colonial rule in the 19th century. So it came from you guys! 🙄
@ThairishTimes
Жыл бұрын
We are Irish not British. We’ve been a Republic for 100 years
@PrincessAmenRa
Жыл бұрын
For someone to warrant the punishment of 24 strokes of the cane the criminal must have done something truly heinous. Example, child rapists. As far as I am concerned, 24 strokes isn't enough for child rapists.
You forgot a very important detail to ask him about Singapore that may be seen as a game changer for many.....pornography being banned :D
@CrimCrim123
Жыл бұрын
Speaking as a Singaporean this is strictly not true, it is the possession of it that's is illegal. Streaming it through websites is perfectly legal
@atumcommel
Жыл бұрын
@@CrimCrim123 Thx for the clarification
@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG
Жыл бұрын
@@CrimCrim123 Singapore’s laws are by and large very broadly defined. So the authorities could still pin other similar charges on you. There’s not much civil liberties to speak of as it’s citizens.
The cane!!! Do they get you through Singapore 🇸🇬 🤔 airport 555. Transfer from Australia to phuket/ BBK 555