ocker, after your previous moderation I immediately complied and shortened the quotes to 3 lines as shown in the signature preview. After that it becomes a function of how much space the ads take up (which appears to have increased), the size of your computer screen and text size, all the time consuming less space and loading faster than a gif signature.
Having gotten that out of the way, I too have lived in Singapore,in several different locations, on and off beginning in the early/ mid 70's until about 5 years ago, the latter part was more as a frequent visitor. In my early days I became very familiar with mainly the non-tourist areas, obviously different areas to what you are familiar with. Don't you recall all the bars, and coffee shops selling alcohol, particularly around areas where the workers lived. It was also legally available in all the open air hawker food centres, at least the ones I frequented. They were all there during your time in Singapore. Don't tell me you never visited Bugis Street, it was going full steam until it was redeveloped well after you left, but they relented and a sanitised version has returned, but you can still get a drink there. Discussing politics may have been a sensitive area, but nowhere near as controlled as what you allude to, I recall many spirited discussions in public places, consuming the many beers that supposedly were not available. Gambling was controlled to a degree, just as two up was controlled here, and apparently you never got to go to the races at Bukit Timah, you really missed something there.
I could go on, but I think our different perceptions have more to do with our different outlooks rather than Singapore itself. I will say that the Singapore that a tourist sees is a lot different to that those who live there sees, and that too will depend on whereabouts each happens to be in the social strata.
