Alexis Tsipras' "open letter" to German citizens

[luisHK]

its already dirt cheap in Germany for decades. Nowhere in the world can you buy cheaper food at guaranteed quality levels than in Germany. I would rather make a huge circle around Greece, food wise. Who knows what they put into visitors' food.

Re cost of living in Asia (esp HK but also SGP), fully concur. The only changes I observed in HK as the result of "corruption crackdowns" in PRC was a few shut down jewelry and watch shops. Rents seem to still be sky high. And its telling that every wannabe TV food chef schmuck now opens restaurants in HK.

I always found Germany good value, I guess it will feel dirt cheap when going back next summer.
About the cost of living in the area -HK SGp - check the demonstrations (ie attacks and insults...) against mainlanders coming massively to HK for shopping, many products are also ridiculously expensive on the mainland side of the border. Real estate still compares favourably with HK but no longer even with the poshest areas of the eurozone ( compared with similar areas in China, at least socially similar, the quality of life is still lower in China)
Singapore is expensive but the quality of life puts HK and the parts I know in mainland to shame.

 

[luisHK]

Which reminds me of those 2 naughty germans - that's for Visaria, he will enjoy rereading it during his next discounted holidays in Greece:

http://www.smh.com.au/world/singapo...ths-in-prison-and-caning-20150305-13whu5.html

 

[volpunter]

hmm, I was never a fan of Singapore. But then its mainly the weather and heat 365 days a year. Also everything in Singapore appears cramped and stuffed. In HK at least you can explore the 80-90% of land mass not inhabitable and hike. In Singapore you have a casino and Sentosa Island: Gambling or Night Safari, and for the other kind whoring but not my cup of tea. I feel HK has more to offer than that.

I always found Germany good value, I guess it will feel dirt cheap when going back next summer.
About the cost of living in the area -HK SGp - check the demonstrations (ie attacks and insults...) against mainlanders coming massively to HK for shopping, many products are also ridiculously expensive on the mainland side of the border. Real estate still compares favourably with HK but no longer even with the poshest areas of the eurozone ( compared with similar areas in China, at least socially similar, the quality of life is still lower in China)
Singapore is expensive but the quality of life puts HK and the parts I know in mainland to shame.

 

[volpunter]

Typical Asian interpretation of moral values: Whore mongering -> ok. Graffiti spraying -> 9 months jail / Money in exchange for vaginal sex is illegal in Japan, but not anal sex. If Tsingtao loses his job as ANALyst at xyz buy side firm he at least has a future in Japan in related field ;-)

Which reminds me of those 2 naughty germans - that's for Visaria, he will enjoy rereading it during his next discounted holidays in Greece:

http://www.smh.com.au/world/singapo...ths-in-prison-and-caning-20150305-13whu5.html

 

[luisHK]

Typical Asian interpretation of moral values: Whore mongering -> ok. Graffiti spraying -> 9 months jail / Money in exchange for vaginal sex is illegal in Japan, but not anal sex. If Tsingtao loses his job as ANALyst at xyz buy side firm he at least has a future in Japan in related field ;-)

whore mongering : matter between consenting adults
graffiti spraying : in this case, it's vandalism of others' property

Not focusing on the the gravity of the sentence, but I find quite logical that the first is tolerated while the other is not.
As of HK I used to like the place very much, but the charm faded after I turned 30. I know some people prefer HK but it's quite a stretch to say Singapore is more cramped than HK, especially when you talk about downtown districts.

 

[luisHK]

That's the way the train looked after the 2 artists worked on it, many people rather specifically move to Singapore not to see this kind of mess :

http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2014/11/two-germans-charged-in-court-for-vandalism-and-trespassing/

 

[volpunter]

last time I checked prostitution-related activities were illegal in HK as well as Singapore. Yet they are tolerated if not widely accepted. Spraying graffiti in most societies stands on an equal footing with tossing a gum or cigarette bud, while you get the stick and go to jail in the graffiti instance in Singapore. I find it ironic.

whore mongering : matter between consenting adults
graffiti spraying : in this case, it's vandalism of others' property

Not focusing on the the gravity of the sentence, but I find quite logical that the first is tolerated while the other is not.
As of HK I used to like the place very much, but the charm faded after I turned 30. I know some people prefer HK but it's quite a stretch to say Singapore is more cramped than HK, especially when you talk about downtown districts.

 

[volpunter]

looks like Tsingtao was scribbling some stochastic equations at his "exotic derivatives desk", lol.

2 teenagers (well 21) having a bit fun, goodness. Fine them but jail time? Ridiculous. But then in Singapore and HK people call police due to even the slightest of verbal confrontations. According to the motto: Do whatever you want and can under the table as long as nobody finds out.

That's the way the train looked after the 2 artists worked on it, many people rather specifically move to Singapore not to see this kind of mess :

http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2014/11/two-germans-charged-in-court-for-vandalism-and-trespassing/

 

[luisHK]

Actually prostitution is legal in both Singapore and Hong Kong, although it seems more happens than is legally allowed.
I'm afraid all grafitti spraying in unauthorised places, tossing a gum or a cigarette bud are illegal in Singapore. Great place with kids but I find it a bit worrying that a mistake considered benign in the West could change a teenager's life for the worse in Singapore.

 

[volpunter]

Hmm, I still politely disagree. Prostitution itself may be legal in both jurisdiction (which is why I said "prostitution-related activities"). But where does a single hooker advertise her wares on the street herself? In almost all cases brothels, pimps, handlers, websites, organized crime are part of the game all of which are illegal. And it gets lost on me how Singapore is a great please for kids. Well it surely compares favorably with HK, one of the worst places on earth for expat kids not only due to the air pollution that causes asthma in many children. But then again what do you do as family in Singapore? There is hardly anything. And I am not sure every child enjoys 32 degree heat all year round at 80-90% humidity levels.

Actually prostitution is legal in both Singapore and Hong Kong, although it seems more happens than is legally allowed.
I'm afraid all grafitti spraying in unauthorised places, tossing a gum or a cigarette bud are illegal in Singapore. Great place with kids but I find it a bit worrying that a mistake considered benign in the West could change a teenager's life for the worse in Singapore.