Australia vs. Singapore: A Business Owner's Perspective
Max interviews Steve, an Australian business owner who moved his creative agency from Melbourne to Singapore 14 years ago, to explore the pros and cons of living and doing business in each country.
Adjusting to Life in Singapore
Unfamiliar Aspects of Singaporean Life
Steve highlights a few things he still hasn't fully adjusted to in Singapore:
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Lack of a car: The freedom of spontaneous travel is diminished, requiring more planning with public transportation or ride-sharing services. While not difficult, it's a change from the ease of driving in Australia.
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Delivery culture: The convenience of readily available deliveries is a contrast to the more DIY approach common in Australia, where people are accustomed to purchasing, transporting, and assembling things themselves.
Advice for Westerners Moving to Singapore
Overcoming Initial Worries
Steve advises newcomers not to worry excessively, as Singapore offers a wide range of familiar comforts.
Ease of Integration and Socializing
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Accessibility: Singapore provides access to familiar groceries, education systems, and a diverse population, making it easy to find people who speak your language.
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Social Network: Building a social network is surprisingly easy due to the constant influx of new people, fostering an environment of openness and connection.
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Safety and Shared Mindset: Singapore's safe environment and the shared drive of people who choose to live there contribute to easy conversation and friendship.
Spontaneity and Friendships
Steve shares a personal anecdote about quickly forming a friendship with a stranger in Singapore, emphasizing the safety and comfort level that facilitates such interactions.
Navigating Social Interactions
Openness and Extroversion
While not necessarily requiring extroversion, building a social network often comes from necessity, especially when moving without existing connections.
Topics to Avoid
When asked about potentially sensitive topics, Steve suggests that asking someone "where are you originally from" can be a sensitive question due to the diverse origins of Singaporeans.
Cost of Living in Singapore
Financial Considerations
Steve estimates a typical monthly cost of living in Singapore for someone moving from Sydney to be around $4,000-$5,000 SGD for rent (in a condo). Transportation can range from $5-$40 SGD per day. Food costs are variable, fitting any budget from inexpensive hawker fare to more expensive restaurant dining.
Leisure and Lifestyle
Steve enjoys exploring Singapore's outdoor dining scene. While wine can be expensive, he enjoys the food and drink culture.
The Australian Community in Singapore
Strong Connections
The Australian community is large and diverse, comprised of long-term expats, short-term expats, business travelers and tourists.
Familiar Products and Services
The presence of Australian coffee shops, cafes, and grocery stores offers a sense of familiarity and comfort.
The Appeal of Australia
Space and Freedom
Steve acknowledges the appeal of Australia's greater space and freedom, particularly for those who have spent a long time in densely populated Singapore.
Cost of Living Considerations
Australia potentially offers more space for your money, along with access to fresh, local, and cheaper produce.
Aging Considerations
Despite the appeal of more space, Steve notes that the accessibility and amenities of Singapore make it an appealing place to live as you age, due to ease of transport and access to services.
Differences Between Sydney and Singapore
Space
Sydney generally offers more living space, even in apartments, along with larger amenities.
Cultural Compromise vs. Freedom
Singapore fosters a culture of compromise to maintain harmony among its diverse communities. In contrast, Australia emphasizes freedom of expression, resulting in a more outspoken and less constrained culture.
Workplace Dynamics
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Australia: Employees tend to be more outspoken and readily share their opinions, regardless of rank.
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Singapore: There's a greater tendency to wait to be invited to speak and to consider hierarchy before expressing opinions, in order to preserve harmony.
Balancing Approaches
Steve believes in finding a balance between the two approaches, encouraging open communication while respecting cultural sensitivities. He wants to tap into talent in Singapore by creating an environment of comfortable communication.
Ease of Doing Business
Challenges in Japan
Steve identifies Japan as one of the most challenging countries to conduct business in due to the language and cultural barriers, including the importance of understanding the local decision-making process and respecting established hierarchies.
Boardroom Etiquette
He provides an example of specific cultural differences, such as the importance of seating arrangements in Japanese boardrooms.
Personal Adaptations
Embracing the Outdoors
Steve has adapted to Singapore's year-round hot weather by enjoying swimming and outdoor activities.
Singlish
While hesitant to speak Singlish, Steve has adopted some words into his vocabulary.
Singlish: Personal Views
Practicality and Origins
Steve finds some Singlish expressions practical and appreciates its incorporation of elements from various languages. He also recognizes that native English speakers may not need to use it to communicate.
Common Singlish Words
He admits to using the word "can" frequently.
What's Missed from Australia
Brief Winter
Steve jokes that he only misses winter for about a week. In reality, he says everything is good in Singapore.
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