Working in Singapore

[chef]

ok, i got the gig, so now i have a few q's which I thought I'd ask the panel while doing my own research..

Do I need a working Visa?
Do I need any Injections etc.?
Whats the best way to transfer money etc. (I'll be paid in GBP)?
Any advice with fitting in with the locals?

Any advice in telling g'friend chef with minimum sulking as a result?
"umm you know i mentioned i applied for that gig abroad, somewhere hot, well, um, i got it and i'll be gone for min 3 months and err it's Singapore, will be leaving in 10 days."

Chef

[KathyWoolfe]

ok, i got the gig, so now i have a few q's which I thought I'd ask the panel while doing my own research..

Do I need a working Visa?
Do I need any Injections etc.?
Whats the best way to transfer money etc. (I'll be paid in GBP)?
Any advice with fitting in with the locals?

Any advice in telling g'friend chef with minimum sulking as a result?
"umm you know i mentioned i applied for that gig abroad, somewhere hot, well, um, i got it and i'll be gone for min 3 months and err it's Singapore, will be leaving in 10 days."

Chef

Congrats

Will you still be able to post here?

[Spacecadet]

Do I need a working Visa?
yes (i think) - but should be relatively easy to get
Do I need any Injections etc.?
No
Whats the best way to transfer money etc. (I'll be paid in GBP)?
dunno
Any advice with fitting in with the locals?
Everyone speaks english there, shopping is second only to eating and breathing.
Watch out for the food, its cheap and very good and you'll end up paying for 2 seats on the flight back.

[snaw]

ok, i got the gig, so now i have a few q's which I thought I'd ask the panel while doing my own research..

Do I need a working Visa?
Do I need any Injections etc.?
Whats the best way to transfer money etc. (I'll be paid in GBP)?
Any advice with fitting in with the locals?

Any advice in telling g'friend chef with minimum sulking as a result?
"umm you know i mentioned i applied for that gig abroad, somewhere hot, well, um, i got it and i'll be gone for min 3 months and err it's Singapore, will be leaving in 10 days."

Chef

Hey keep us posted, I'm 90% sure I'm going to head out there next year (Start or end). Got some friends there already but more info is always better.

BTW Where did you get the gig through?

[chef]

thanks folks

I've been there once before but only for 6 days as a backpacker staying in a slightly dodgy hostel for £8 a day, so i know the layout (roughly) of the city.

I agree, the food is great, but i've never worked out there so working practices etc. I guess I'll learn by the seat of my pants..

Yes, i'll definately be able to post here although it's GMT +8hrs (no daylight savign) so midday here is 7pm there. But it's min 26C - max 34C

[KathyWoolfe]

thanks folks
Yes, i'll definately be able to post here although it's GMT +8hrs (no daylight savign) so midday here is 7pm there. But it's min 26C - max 34C

Plus 80 - 90% humidity while outside, they've got air conditioning doen to a fine art!

[Xenophon]

Good work chef!!

[threaded]

Practice walking in the sun and then going straight into the office. Ensure, before you walk through the door, you can see somewhere to sit down suddenly. You'll only need to do this the first few days until you get used to it.

Carry packets of disposable tissues, you'll need them soon after you walk from outside into an office. Only for the first few days 'til you get used to it.

Get your hair cut.

Remember that, generally, only the high ranking plod wear a uniform, all the rest are plain clothed and there are lots of them. If you notice people stopping walking when you do, they're probably just the plod making sure you're not going to be mugged, so don't fuss it.

Chewing gum is illegal and smuggling chewing gum is smuggling.

You've got to go to the Orchid park, it is wonderful.

Watch out for the food, it is cheap and very good, you could end up worse than Churchill within only a few days.

Enjoy, it is a very interesting place.

[Spacecadet]

Remember that, generally, only the high ranking plod wear a uniform, all the rest are plain clothed and there are lots of them. If you notice people stopping walking when you do, they're probably just the plod making sure you're not going to be mugged, so don't fuss it.

cobblers

Chewing gum is illegal and smuggling chewing gum is smuggling.

Pharmacys sell sugar free chewing gum if you really want some

Singapore isn't the police state that some people will make out it is.

Since you're going by yourself that look out for KTV bars, they should help the evenings fly by

[themistry]

Whats the best way to transfer money etc. (I'll be paid in GBP)?

Best service I have used is called XE Trade

http://www.xe.com/fx/

Service is free, no charges except a very small commission. They transfer direct from aa GBP bank account into a native one. Meaning you need a native account in Singapore.

I've used this to send a lot of money to Canada, saved me alot of $$$ in the process.


It does take a week or more to setup, as they need references and signed documents (money laundering checks) but well worth it,

TM