Being green and culture shock

Last Sunday, I was reading the Sunday Times when I chanced upon an article on how Taipei went green and it was made compulsory that all consumers will be provided with paper bags but will be charged for plastic bags.

I wish I had read this before I went to Taipei. It was a culture shock because in Singapore, plastic bags are taken for granted and paper bags are totally unheard of. I had only brought a few plastic bags for my dirty laundry and my sandals and that is it. So when we realize we were running low on plastic bags we have no idea what to do. Haha. I guess it is always good to travel and broaden our horizons. But I think while we are broadening our horizons, it is good that we take in what is good and can be implemented in the environment we live in. For example, the plastic versus paper bag that I was talking about. The reading culture in Taiwan should be cultivated here as well, since we see that Taiwan, although the political system is quite messy has produce a lot of innovations, be it low value added or not. The entrepreneur drive of the people over there is great as well. But of course there are some things in Singapore that could be implemented to make Taiwan a better place, like the hygiene level of road side stall or the night markets, the good urban planning of Singapore and others.

Moreover, I kind of like the night scene in Taiwan and those of Hong Kong which I have seen in TVB drama. It gives people a picture of vibrancy because of the many neon lights from advertisement and buildings. In Singapore, the night scene is still nice with the lights but there is certain “coldness” to it, it does not portray “vibrancy” at all.

If Singapore is to become a city with X Factors, I think a slow opening up of certain rules and regulation is a must. Cheers!