guide to travelling on the mrt:
the mrt is definitely a singaporean icon, and with at least a million commuters on in per day, its really no surprise. started in 1987, not only does the mrt provide good and efficient transport, it even tells us about the locals themselves. from the start to the very end of your journey on this marvelous mode of transportation lies hints of our culture.
the moment the train doors open, you find yourself face to face with an entourage of people, looking straight at you. although many of them look lost and totally bewildered, they are really welcoming you onto the train (we just need more practice with facial expressions). now you may be wondering why many assemble at the train doors, cramping together in a visibly uncomfortable state when there is obviously space in the centre of the train. dont be decieved by this act, singaporeans will do anything to welcome their fellow travellers on board to share the exciting journey. some even go to the extent of snuggling up close, stubbornly refusing to leave you to suffer the lack of their company.
singaporeans also love to talk loudly in the trains. this is a primitive yet effective way of getting people involved in the conversation. this is especially effective when you are right in the middle on the mindless singaporean banter of teenage girls. this method is so in-your-face that it's just extremely difficult to ignore, especially since singaporeans love to stay in tight clumps in trains. you can therefore see why this is so effective. topic ranges from the weather to hairclips to plucking ones eyebrows (seriously). feel free to join in; singaporeans just love random people joining in their conversation; dont be fooled by the so called asian conservertism.
upon alighting from the train, you will find that many of the fellow travellers will truly miss your presence, so much so that they do their very best to make you stay, without trying to be impolite or rude of course. blocking your way or pretending that your excuse-me(s) go unheard are usually the two most common ways of extending your journey.
your 'escape' is also made more difficult by the combined effort of the people wanting to get onto the train. this new group of people also express a strong interest in sharing their journey with you, whether you like it or not. this renowned form of teamwork is rarely seen in other countries and is well known in singapore. sometimes, they even succeed in keeping the passengers in, thus extending their stay on the mrt.
with this trusty guide to travelling on the mrt with you, we hope that your trip will be a pleasent one and that you will learn more about singaporeans on this journey.
watch out for the second installment of our guidebook where we delve deep into the singaporean psyche on the issue of why spitting on grasspatches actually help plants grow.
the mrt is definitely a singaporean icon, and with at least a million commuters on in per day, its really no surprise. started in 1987, not only does the mrt provide good and efficient transport, it even tells us about the locals themselves. from the start to the very end of your journey on this marvelous mode of transportation lies hints of our culture.
the moment the train doors open, you find yourself face to face with an entourage of people, looking straight at you. although many of them look lost and totally bewildered, they are really welcoming you onto the train (we just need more practice with facial expressions). now you may be wondering why many assemble at the train doors, cramping together in a visibly uncomfortable state when there is obviously space in the centre of the train. dont be decieved by this act, singaporeans will do anything to welcome their fellow travellers on board to share the exciting journey. some even go to the extent of snuggling up close, stubbornly refusing to leave you to suffer the lack of their company.
singaporeans also love to talk loudly in the trains. this is a primitive yet effective way of getting people involved in the conversation. this is especially effective when you are right in the middle on the mindless singaporean banter of teenage girls. this method is so in-your-face that it's just extremely difficult to ignore, especially since singaporeans love to stay in tight clumps in trains. you can therefore see why this is so effective. topic ranges from the weather to hairclips to plucking ones eyebrows (seriously). feel free to join in; singaporeans just love random people joining in their conversation; dont be fooled by the so called asian conservertism.
upon alighting from the train, you will find that many of the fellow travellers will truly miss your presence, so much so that they do their very best to make you stay, without trying to be impolite or rude of course. blocking your way or pretending that your excuse-me(s) go unheard are usually the two most common ways of extending your journey.
your 'escape' is also made more difficult by the combined effort of the people wanting to get onto the train. this new group of people also express a strong interest in sharing their journey with you, whether you like it or not. this renowned form of teamwork is rarely seen in other countries and is well known in singapore. sometimes, they even succeed in keeping the passengers in, thus extending their stay on the mrt.
with this trusty guide to travelling on the mrt with you, we hope that your trip will be a pleasent one and that you will learn more about singaporeans on this journey.
watch out for the second installment of our guidebook where we delve deep into the singaporean psyche on the issue of why spitting on grasspatches actually help plants grow.
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