Usually, when we would say to friends we are going to live in Singapore, they would react somewhat like this:
Damn, you should watch out how you walk and breathe or you'll pay a fine or go to jail.
Well, this is pretty true and fines are unexpectedly high for things I never even thought they could be banned. For example, there's a fine of S$ 500 for eating or drinking both inside metro and all around the metro station, and for smoking it's S$ 1000. Also, littering is strictly prohibited and guess - there is also fine for that (not sure how much, but I am sure it's a lot!). This really contributes to the city being so perfectly clean and ordered.
Already on the plane to here we got the point how serious they are. In addition to Welcome to Singapore white embarkation card, there's a clear message saying:
Warning - death for drug traffickers under Singapore law.
In contrary, many pedestrians cross the road in random places or don't wait for the green light. So I guess, it's not so bad.
Fun fact! Chewing gums are prohibited.
Although those rules sound strict and maybe even scary (at least for someone from Croatia where people eat, drink, puke, jell etc in trams and rules are there to be broken), you really don't feel restricted or limited by them since everything works perfectly when you follow them. Sometimes it would be nice to drink a bit of water in the metro, but you cannot have it all. :)
Fun (?) fact 2! Caning/spanking is the official punishment in Singapore.
It is the corporal punishment retained for male offenders younger than 50. According to the severeness of rule violation (stealing, drugs, vandalism, sexual harassment) the offender can be sentenced to a maximum of 24 strokes of the 1.2 m long rattan (tree palm) cane on the bare buttocks. Canning is performed by prison guards and in the presence of the judge and medical personnel. If more than 6 strokes are sentenced, two prison guards alternate so the strength of the stroke would not decrease. Embarrassing, right?
I do feel really safe in this country.
All the best,
Ivna