From CNN.com - Pedestrians all over the world are moving faster than a decade ago, according to scientists who have conducted a study into the pace at which people walk.
Here is a list, in order, of the cities ranked by the speeds at which people walk:
1) Singapore (Singapore)
2) Copenhagen (Denmark)
3) Madrid (Spain)
4) Guangzhou (China)
5) Dublin (Ireland)
6) Curitiba (Brazil)
7) Berlin (Germany)
8) New York (U.S.)
9) Utrecht (Netherlands)
10) Vienna (Austria)
11) Warsaw (Poland)
12) London (United Kingdom)
13) Zagreb (Croatia)
14) Prague (Czech Republic)
15) Wellington (New Zealand)
16) Paris (France)
17) Stockholm (Sweden)
18) Ljubljana (Slovenia)
19) Tokyo (Japan)
20) Ottawa (Canada)
21) Harare (Zimbabwe)
22) Sofia (Bulgaria)
23) Taipei (Taiwan)
24) Cairo (Egypt)
25) Sana (Yemen)
26) Bucharest (Romania)
27) Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
28) Damascus (Syria)
29) Amman (Jordan)
30) Bern (Switzerland)
31) Manama (Bahrain)
32) Blantyre (Malawi)
Folks, calm down. Take life slow & easy. Do no kill yourself by being "Singaporeanly fast". The world is looking at the Asian giants and Singapore forms a nice connecting bridge between the Indians & Chinese. This clearly means Singapore as a country although does not move or affect the global economy, is indeed considered a force to be with. Now, if people leave Singapore just because the country is fast paced, you could argue that each country has its own set of characteristics and Singaporeans have theirs - to be "living & coping with stress" every minute.
Frankly, I am a great fan of the island nation and to an extent the way the things are done. I do not fully agree when some of my Singaporean friends bicker the government accusing of inflation, red tape and what not. But my friends, each country has its own & if not a bigger pie of shit to deal with. Every country swallows the shit and looks at ways of getting it out of their system and throwing it into the ocean somewhere. Singapore to the world looks like the best place on earth right now - it is the gateway to the Asian wonderlands - Thai, Malay, Indian & Chinese, it it developing in terms of tourism from being a place of transit to the Tasmanian delights, to a place of long term stay. I would frankly not mind settling down in Singapore - as it is comfort at your door step. Mind you, all this comfort comes from fair bit of putting yourself on the line & making sure you overwork for years together or have exceptional qualifications (pref from outside Singapore & from the Pacific side. No I did not name the country. You ll have to guess the answer for the tough question) and dominate the scene. It is either you make it "bang bang" or take your time until which you ll have more than 1 "can I go and bang myself for being here" incidents.Nevertheless Europe is one hell of a place to settle down if you know the language & like the culture. I like the Swedes especially because life is so relaxed here. People live life to the fullest. Classic examples from the top of my hat:
The subway train is due in 1 min. You just about tapped your card to enter the station but have some way to go down the escalator to reach the platform. A working professional who I safely assume is a Swede takes it slow & walks down slowly in the elevator. But a young Chinese lady runs down all the way and makes sure she scuffles into the train. This could be countered by saying the lady must have been in a terrible hurry while the man who looks polished in his blazers might be a jobless fag who goes downtown to kill some time. However that remains a question. Nevertheless you can understand what I mean when you read the other incident.
Suppose you run into the platform and find the train doors just about to shut down, my natural reaction would be to scamper for it & give it a best shot to make sure I get myself in. However suppose you don't manage to get in, you ll go saying your own share of curses on the train and what not. But I have seen Europeans who laugh when they just missed the train. That is taking it easy isn't it?
Nothing is as important for them as to live their life their way. 35 hours of work time per week is protested and has to be reduced is not outlandish here. Picture this 35 hours over 5 days is about 7 hours of work time. Work time is defined as time you are physically in the office and pretending to work. Now out of these 7 hours (which is already less), you ll have time for some Skype, Facebook & some searching for music or using the wash. I did not count lunch / tea time in at all. Safely discounting about an hour, you just need to sit for 6 hours. That is like 10-4.
If you manage to find a 10-4 job in Singapore that pays you SGD 5K and makes you happy that you are doing something worthwhile, do drop me a line. I will be the first to put my hand up for it. It is not possible in India to get a 10-4 job that pays you so much. That is Europe for you - simple & easy all to make sure you live life. All this again does not mean people do not work at all. They do work their head off but this is the norm here. It is not surprising if your colleague drops in at about 4.30 and says "Friend, why are you working so late in the evening? It's Friday, do you wanna party at 6".
Do not be surprised. Instead just heave a smile of relief & say "I met the people who live life uncomplicated & easy".
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