Journal Entry 1 by joto25 on Thursday, January 22, 2004

"The book presents a warts and all view of the city-state and celebrates many of the things most often criticised." - BBC World

Neil Humphreys, from Dagenham, Essex England graduated with a First Class Honours degree in History. He decided to travel and when Singapore was suggested, he bought a book on China and agreed.

These are his observations and experiences. It is written with honesty and turns out funny, with his anecdotes on the many aspects of Singaporean life.

26th January 2004 - book is on its way to kiptos  

Journal Entry 2 by Kiptos from Singapore, n/a Singapore on Saturday, January 31, 2004

Got this in the mail today. Thanks, joto25 for sending it to me. Will read it asap and send it on its way. 

Journal Entry 3 by Kiptos from Singapore, n/a Singapore on Sunday, February 01, 2004

A very true to life account of his encounter with Singaporeans and Singaporean culture, Neil Humphreys gave a no-holds-barred account of his experiences here on this tiny tropical island, his observations and likes and dislikes of the local culture and people. Objective and humourous, I agree with most of what he said about Singapore and the natives. Had quite a few laughs about his first encounter of a local wake held on the void desk of an apartment block which he mistook to be a hawker centre and his other adventures.

But I find his landlady a little hard to believe, not that I don't believe, just hard to believe. The bra lady and Vidal Sassoon I can easily believe, every neighbourhood block has its resident lunatic/weirdoes; there're two in mine.

From the weather to the food, from not giving way/seats to filial piety and from kiasuism to Singlish, everything that he observed and commented on, was exactly what an ex-colleague of mine from Australia told me when he worked here for 2 years back in 2001 and 2002. So it really is how non-Singaporeans see us.

I'm going to share this book with my friends/colleagues, the ex-colleague in Australia who is sure to enjoy and get a laugh out of it and after that, with anyone around the world who's interested via an international bookring.

 

Journal Entry 4 by celine81 on Monday, March 15, 2004

I find it interesting to look at Singapore again through a foreigner's view. 

Journal Entry 5 by AnonymousFinder on Monday, March 22, 2004

A very interesting read.

Being a Singaporean myself, reading what Neil (a foreigner) has got to say about Singapore & our cultures/practices, I've come to understand better of what others think of us (Singaporeans).

There are some irritating people around who can really get own everybody's nerves, but which country doesn't?

CAUGHT IN SINGAPORE SINGAPORE 

Journal Entry 6 by Kiptos from Singapore, n/a Singapore on Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Starting an International Bookring. Collecting names for now. Shipping out early April. 

Journal Entry 7 by Kiptos from Singapore, n/a Singapore on Saturday, April 03, 2004

Well, my first book ring is starting off on Monday 5 April.

Order as follows:
daemonwolf - UK
ermintrude75 - UK
espressoabe - OH, USA
jamesmum - CA, USA
sgscarcliff- CA, USA
Tony - Australia
Kiptos - Singapore (Back to me)

Ring is still open for another 24 hours, so some more names may be added. If not, then it'll be a small ring and should go round not too slowly. Hope everyone enjoys! 

Journal Entry 8 by Kiptos from Singapore, n/a Singapore on Monday, April 05, 2004

Mailed out this morning via surface to daemonwolf.
ETA June 2004. 

Journal Entry 9 by AlexInLeeds from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 25, 2004

This has been reviewed over on my book blog, all comments welcomed! 

Journal Entry 10 by AlexInLeeds at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Released on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release Controlled Releases.

Mailed on to Ermintrude75 today. 

Journal Entry 11 by ermintrude75 from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Arrived in the post yesterday, thanks daemonwolf... more to follow when I've read it! 

Journal Entry 12 by ermintrude75 from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Monday, August 02, 2004

Excellent! You can kind of see the Bill Bryson comparison, as the author struggles to make sense of the culture he now has to live in for some time, but something tells me that the leap from Brit to Singaporean is greater than US to Brit. I am kind of intrigued to see the place for myself now, although I wonder whether, if I went in at the deep end like this, I would survive so well. Particularly interesting is the contrast between being law-abiding and respectful, and the selfish "kiasu" nature of some people (interesting to finally have a name for it). Thanks for the insight into a very interesting culture - I'm wondering whether there will be a "coming home" book in the same way that Bill Bryson did Notes from a Big Country? 

Journal Entry 13 by espressoabe from Zanesville, Ohio USA on Sunday, August 08, 2004

can't wait to read this. 

Journal Entry 14 by jamesmum from Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Monday, November 22, 2004

Looks interesting - will read and then come back to journal again. Thanks!

UPDATE: Oh my, did this book ever have me laughing (and occasionally groaning) in agreeement. I taught English in South Korea for two years, and could relate very well to Neil's situation. Visiting a country is one thing; living there is something else entirely, and Neil does a great job of describing the latter. It's funny how the things that drive you nuts in the beginning (public spitting, pushy aunties, etc) gradually lose their edge, while things that originally seemed 'unique' or 'intriguing' start to grate on your nerves (kiasu, the chronic inability to queue, etc.) I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Neil's take on the whole experience, and will be looking for his second book.

Will send to SGScarcliff later on this week. 

Journal Entry 15 by sgscarcliff on Thursday, December 02, 2004

I just received today and will read as soon as I can to get it on its way
 

Journal Entry 16 by sgscarcliff on Thursday, December 30, 2004

I enjoyed the book. I think half of the Aunties have moved to our neighborhood.

I will be mailing of to Tony. Kiptos - you might want to let Tony know the book is on the way so he is not suprised by an unknown package from the U.S. 

Journal Entry 17 by Kiptos from Singapore, n/a Singapore on Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Tony in Australia received this book on 7 Jan 2005. As he's busy with relocation, he'll read the book when he's free.