From the moment I landed in Singapore, I was awestruck by the abundance of beauty that enveloped the city. The people, both men and women, exuded a
stunning allure. The cityscape was lush and green, adorned with thriving, healthy plants. Architectural wonders, uniquely creative, met the eye at every turn, their aesthetics meticulously orchestrated. The streets gleamed with perfectly placed lights, and even the cars seemed to glisten under the city's embrace. Singapore was a place defined by its overflowing beauty, a realm of almost perfect glamour.
However, beneath this facade of grandeur and elegance lay a deeper sense of melancholy. The yearning to be more than just beautiful whispered through the bustling streets and shops. As I observed the women passing by, a profound sorrow seeped into my heart. While I understood that the stereotypical image of Asian women often leans towards petite and slender figures, the ladies I saw appeared to be more than just slim; they seemed emaciated. Images of these women, struggling with their relationship with food, flashed in my mind, evoking thoughts of bulimia. Despite my intuition's alarm, I chose to dismiss it as unfounded.
Yet, my intuition's voice could not be silenced. Approximately 20 minutes later, while in a restroom, I distinctly heard the sounds of a woman engaged in self-purging in the adjacent stall.
My intuition had been right, proving itself to be both correct and strong.
About three hours later, I hailed a Grab (the Singaporean equivalent of Uber) to my hotel. The driver, a gentleman, began to open up about the prevailing materialism in Singapore, where brands and appearances reign supreme. He shared with me the pain he witnessed, the agony of overspending and the pursuit of a lifestyle that remained financially elusive. While the desire to "keep up with the Joneses" is a familiar concept in many places, it was especially forceful in Singapore, the weight of judgement and expectations can be felt.
The city's quest for perfection left little room for messiness. While the benefit lay in the sense of order and politeness that permeated every corner, the sorrow lay in the lack of personal intimacy.
Here is a city of unparalleled beauty, inhabited by some of the most exquisitely beautiful people I had ever seen. Yet, they seemed to be chasing an elusive standard of beauty, one that perhaps didn't even exist.
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