Singapore - Good Behavior

Singapore has a reputation as a semi-authoritarian nanny state with a lot of rules, everything from the prohibition of racist rhetoric down to spitting or chewing gum in public. Caning is often a punishment for nonviolent offenders. Much of this is due to prime minister Lee Kwan Yu, who served from 1959-1990, and is also credited with transforming the tiny city-state into an economic powerhouse. So it’s harder to complain about infringements on personal/press/political freedoms when the country has minimal crime, illegal drugs, ethnic tension, corruption, unemployment and poverty, not to mention the fact that they have an extensive and efficient Mass Rapid Transit System, minimal traffic jams, and among the cleanest air in Asia. So on the one hand you have a country that ranks 7 out of 176 on Transparency International’s Index of least corrupt countries (Denmark #1, USA #18), and yet ranks only 151 out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders 2017 World Press Freedom Index (Norway is #1, USA is #43). As a visitor it is interesting to see the various carrots and sticks used to put Singaporeans on their best behavior. Almost all of the following photos are by Deborah, who has an eye for interesting signs.

On the meticulously clean subway.

Where's the graffiti?

Southeast Asia isn't very good at recycling. Singapore is the exception.

Bike sharing program.

Sign at the Botanical Garden. Presumably, walking and breathing are still allowed.

For such a high tech society, Singaporeans seem to prefer natural materials for rakes and brooms.