It's been a week since we arrived here and have settled in well. We've learned more local customs and started to understand local slang. For example, if you eat at a Hawker Center or casual food court you must find your table first before placing an order. The vendor brings the food to your table and then you pay him/her. Drinks are ordered at a separate stand which are also brought to your table.
Locals here speak "Singlish" which is Singaporean English. However, it sounds like a whole other language to us because it's spoken very fast and broken up. Here are some common terms:
Lah - Added at the end of a sentence to add emphasis
Can hah? - Are you sure?
Can leh - Yes of course
Die die - No matter what happens
Oso can - No problem
Issit? - Really?
Dun play play - Don't fool around
Talking cock - Talking nonsense (check out http://www.talkingcock.com/)
Another cultural difference here is that it's common for people to have live-in maids. The other day I was at home while Tony was at work. Then suddenly the doorbell rang and someone started opening the front door. I rushed over and said "Hello who's there?" To my surprise a lady appeared and said "Hello, I'm here to clean your apartment. I come once a week." I knew the building offered a maid service, but we had to request it. Being skeptical I asked if she could come back later. I was really stalling so I could call Tony and ask if he knew about it. Turns out his company paid for the maid service while we're living here. Whew! I'm used to cleaning up after myself (thanks Mom!) so it felt weird to have a maid. However, when I came home and the place was spotless I thought, a girl can get used to this. :)
Locals here speak "Singlish" which is Singaporean English. However, it sounds like a whole other language to us because it's spoken very fast and broken up. Here are some common terms:
Lah - Added at the end of a sentence to add emphasis
Can hah? - Are you sure?
Can leh - Yes of course
Die die - No matter what happens
Oso can - No problem
Issit? - Really?
Dun play play - Don't fool around
Talking cock - Talking nonsense (check out http://www.talkingcock.com/)
Another cultural difference here is that it's common for people to have live-in maids. The other day I was at home while Tony was at work. Then suddenly the doorbell rang and someone started opening the front door. I rushed over and said "Hello who's there?" To my surprise a lady appeared and said "Hello, I'm here to clean your apartment. I come once a week." I knew the building offered a maid service, but we had to request it. Being skeptical I asked if she could come back later. I was really stalling so I could call Tony and ask if he knew about it. Turns out his company paid for the maid service while we're living here. Whew! I'm used to cleaning up after myself (thanks Mom!) so it felt weird to have a maid. However, when I came home and the place was spotless I thought, a girl can get used to this. :)
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