Category: Culture

We Can’t Believe Singaporeans Are Still Embarrassed To Buy These 5 Products

Buying condoms, pads, or tampons at your neighbourhood convenience store may be embarrassing, cringe-worthy, and even a taboo for some people.

Let’s check out some of the products Singaporeans are still embarrassed to purchase.

1. Condoms

Often, purchasing your own protection is awkward. Even though they are easily and readily available in supermarkets or convenient stores, condoms tend to be regarded with much disdain.

Purchasing condoms inevitably suggests that you are having sex, and in Singapore, many might be uncomfortable with revealing this side of their lives to other people.

However, whether you’re single, attached, or married, there should be no shame in using protection. After all, you’re always making the right decision when you decide to use a Durex – whether it’s for family planning, because you’re not ready for kids yet, or protection against STIs.

If buying a Durex at a store is really not an option for you, consider

In theory, when men show interest in beauty products, it’s a positive thing. It helps change the way men’s grooming is viewed.

Yet in practice, many still seem to shy away from the once-deemed-feminine skincare products.

Perhaps in time, with the growing array and normalcy of using skin-care products for men, male consumers will no longer feel embarrassed for swapping out the all-purpose bar soap.

3. Food shame

People love eating junk food, but some may feel anxious about being criticised for what they purchase – especially if it is junk food.

Admittedly, we are all a little self-conscious about the image we portray. No one likes to be judged based on the food we eat.

Snacking on junk food should not be an everyday habit, but the occasional trek down the snack aisle is definitely something you’ll see most Singaporeans succumbing to.

One way to avoid being looked at pointedly at the check-out line, or to save yourself from the embarrassment of purchasing junk food is to only purchase junk food with other groceries.

4. Romance novels

For most, romance novels are a guilty pleasure read.

As romance novels have gotten a bad reputation (think Fifty Shades of Grey) for their highly explicit content, those caught purchasing or reading romance novels in public might be on the receiving end of silent criticism.

One way that you could save yourself the embarrassment of purchasing a romance novel in bookstores—whilst still being able to peruse through guilty pleasure romance stories—is to invest in an electronic reader.

Unlike its paperback counterpart, it is more difficult to discern what book is being read or downloaded on the e-reader, saving its user the embarrassment of being caught reading or purchasing a romance novel in public.

5. Feminine products

Purchasing feminine products like pads, tampons or douches can be an embarrassing task, especially if it is your first time buying them.

While some might be as bold as brass and indignant to purchasing feminine products, understandably, such a purchase might leave others abashed.

Instead of trying to awkwardly make excuses for the items in your shopping cart, be confident about the products you need. Try to come to terms with the fact that there is nothing to be shy, ashamed or embarrassed about of your period.

Many girls forget that most women around them are going through exactly what they are going through, and buying feminine products are no different from buying a pack of gum or tissue paper.

If you’re feeling a little shy about making revealing purchases in stores, the trick is to buy extra items, but don’t go overboard.

You don’t want to be that person at the checkout line with 6 pairs of kitchen scissors, an ironing board, 4 watermelons and a box of Dumex.

Also, read Skip The Store – Here Are 8 Everyday Products That Are Better Bought Online

Nothing To Do In Tiny S’pore? This Bank Is Making It Its Mission To Bring More Life Here

Singapore is a lot of great things: a safe country, a technologically advanced nation, a country with THE best food in the world—to us Singaporeans, at least. But a place with plenty of fun, exciting things going on all the time, well… That’s debatable.

A Livelier Local Scene

That being said, things here have come a LONG way over the last couple of years.

One of the key parties to thank for breathing this fresh life into the local scene is—you won’t guess it—DBS bank.

The bank has made it its mission to bring new, unique and exciting experiences to our little red dot, and specifically to the Marina Bay area.

Artbox Singapore 2017

Where: Ultra Park, 1 Bayfront Avenue  
When: 10, 11 June
Entry: Starts at US$163 (S$230.01)

Click here to purchase tickets.

DBS

Marina Regatta

[caption id="attachment_25046" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artist’s impression of DBS Marina Regatta[/caption]

The DBS Marina Regatta will be returning this year from 1-4 June. Last year, they brought into Singapore South-east Asia’s tallest inflatable water slide—a massive structure that stood at over five storeys tall!

Think that can’t be topped? This year’s highlights are even more amazing!

Dubbed “Singapore’s Biggest Bayfest”, the sixth edition of DBS Marina Regatta will see The Bay receiving a tremendous makeover, transforming into Singapore’s only urban beach.

Come June this year, Bali’s famed Potato Head beach club will bring their beloved Coconut Bar to Singapore for the first time, and with it, their signature coconut cocktails and beers so you can beat the Singapore heat! You can even lounge on hammocks with an icy cold bottle of booze in hand!

To cool off even more, you can challenge yourself—and your friends!—to an epic inflatable water obstacle course! Featuring 9 obstacles of varying difficulties, see if you have what it takes to get from point A to point B.

It looks to be a splashing good time at the DBS Marina Regatta this year, and guess what? This is only the tip of the iceberg!

Where: Promontory @ Marina Bay
When: 1 – 4 June
Entry: Free

Others

This coming August, the Singapore Coffee Festival will be back again and we hear DBS will have a hand in it!

Happening at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, this year’s coffee festival experience will come with a gorgeous waterfront view. While the finer details of the event have not yet been ironed out, we’re guessing (and hoping!) some of our favourite coffee vendors will be there, roasting up a delicious storm.

Watch this space as we will be updating this story as more information comes in!

When: 3 – 6 August 2017
Where: Marina Bay Cruise Centre

Home Is Where The Fun Is

Indeed, Singapore has come such a huge way in such a short time, and we’re definitely not complaining!

From importing overseas concepts like Artbox so we can enjoy them right in our backyards to creating platforms enterprising Singaporeans can use to showcase their wares, DBS has brought a tremendous breath of life into our country.

We can only hope many others will follow suit, bringing so much more fun and life to our home!

Also read, 10 Awesome Activities To Kick Start Your April [1-15 April]

(Top Image Credit:

90s Kids, This Nostalgic Video From Butterworks Will Hit You Right In The Feels

Remember the things you used to do in school as kids? The fun times you had with your friends during recess, the way you would terrorize the teachers, the songs you used to sing in class?

Well, this video by Butterworks will bring ALL those memories back.

The YouTube channel has released yet another heartwarming hit with “想当年 The Songs We Used To Sing“.

The idea of the video is simple enough: guy is selling his guitar, guy reminisces the good times he’s had with his guitar, guy decides, nah, he’s keeping it after all. While reminiscing, the video launches into medley of familiar mandarin tunes many of us know by heart.

One after another, each song triggers its own memories, tempting you to sing along! I won’t say which songs feature in it, because that’ll just ruin the fun. You’ll have to watch it and see listen for yourself!

At the end, the video leaves us with a very simple truth: Some things just cannot be forgotten. We will always have those golden moments.

Also read, Blast From The Past: 7 Nostalgic Old-School Food Spots That Your Grandparents Dined At

Edible Helium Balloons Are Coming To Central Perk So You And Your F.R.I.E.N.D.S Can All Sound Like Chipmunks

If you’ve had any kind of childhood at all, there’s one thing you’d probably have done as a kid: breathe helium from a balloon and tried talking after it. Whether you have done it yourself or watched someone else do it on YouTube, it’s ALWAYS hilarious.

For those of you who’ve never had this sacred childhood experience, now you can with EDIBLE Helium Balloons. Yep, that’s helium balloons are not only safe, but delicious to eat.

This latest addition to the menu at Singapore’s own FRIENDS-themed cafe, Central Perk, was inspired by a dish at 3 Michelin starred ‘Alinea’ in Chicago. The brainchild of one of its co-owners, Grant Achatz, it’s been touted as one of the coolest desserts in America!

This would be its first ever appearance in Asia.

As with most of Central Perk’s food and drink offerings, every dish has a FRIENDS-related story behind it. This dessert draws inspiration from this particular episode of the beloved sitcom:

Coming in 3 flavours–strawberry (red), banana (yellow) and blueberry (blue)–these edible balloons each come attached to a chocolate stick.

So, how do I eat this? Simply put your mouth to the balloon and suck in the helium! Talk, laugh, sing, do whatever you want with your newfound chipmunk voices! You’re sure to have a blast with your friends.

We headed down to Central Perk to have a taste of their newest dessert. Here’s a sneak peek!

Our ambassador, Jessie, had a few turns at the bubble-like dessert. Bringing back memories of the plastic bubbles we used to blow, pop and play with as kids, we found that this dessert was a lot more delicate.

https://youtu.be/k6oMofTzins

The effects of the helium didn’t last very long, just 3-5 seconds before leaving us with sticky, sweet remnants. We were also served a deconstructed Nutella cake along with the helium balloon.

Bite-sized Nutella cake served atop a scoop of frozen yoghurt and chocolate syrup – we were disappointed to find that the Nutella cake hardly tasted of Nutella. Instead, it tasted like your regular chocolate cake, although we were surprised to find that the frozen yoghurt gave the dessert a kick of tartness.

In every other bite we took, we found tiny sticky pieces of candy which gave the dessert a surprising element!

This fun, wacky dessert will be available from the 2nd week of April onwards, although prices are currently unavailable. Do watch this space for more information!

Central Perk Cafe
Address: 1 Magazine Road, Central Mall #01-01, S059567
Contact no.: 9025 2524
We Got A Sneak Peak Into The Highly Anticipated Central Perk Singapore – And “OH MY GOD!”

Meet And Get Inked By World-Class Tattoo Artists At This Year’s Singapore Ink Show

Tattoos are a bit of a taboo here in relatively conservative Singapore. Once associated with gangsters and ‘ah bengs’, tattoos are shedding those old connotations and are becoming increasingly recognized for the art form that they are.

With more and more tattoo parlours popping up, and more and more young people sporting tattoos, Singapore’s body art scene is certainly healthy and growing.

This year, tattoo enthusiasts all over Singapore can attend the Singapore Ink Show, the largest gathering of international and local tattoo artists in Singapore!

Happening at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre between April 21-23, this event aims to immerse Singapore in the global tattoo culture.

[caption id="attachment_23411" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Image Credit: Nikko Hurtado

The show will also give you the chance to get up close and personal with world-class tattoo artists from around the world, and even get inked by them! To avoid disappointment, do book a slot with your preferred tattooist in advance.

5 Family-Friendly Events That Will Thrill Kids And The Young At Heart

Running out of ideas for what you can do together as a family? Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to switch things up!

This time of the year is jam-packed with fun-filled activities that both you and your kids can enjoy!

From immersive arts experiences for your budding little musician to musicals with special appearances from your kids’ favourite nursery rhyme characters, there’s a whole host of experiences you can share with your child!

Here are 5 family day out ideas that we’re sure both you and your child will love!

1. Arts Imprints Around My Neighbourhood

If you enjoyed Arts in Your Neighbourhood before, the month-long arts extravaganza is back again and this time, it’s coming to the north of Singapore—the neighbourhood of Yishun!

From now till 26 March, there will be a host of engaging, fun arts activities for you and your kids to enjoy right where you are, in your neighbourhood!

One of the events both you and your kids can have a ball of a time at is Arts Imprints Around My Neighbourhood, a musical trail around Yishun. Start at either Chong Pang Amphitheatre (Route A) or Yishun Neighbourhood Park (Route B), and follow the musicians as they lead you from one familiar landmark to another, telling the story of Yishun, one of the oldest estates in Singapore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naek4NamO1Y&feature=youtu.be

Expect pop-up music performances, hands-on drumming sessions for your kids, and also a special finale: a concert at GV Yishun cinema! Arts Imprints Around My Neighbourhood*
Date: 26 Mar 2017
Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

With so many things to do, i Light is definitely an event you don’t want to miss out on.

Click here to find out more about the light installations and the performances happening at Gastrobeats.

Art-Zoo
Location: The Float @ Marina Bay
Price: $15/person; $54/4 pax (at the door), $50/4 pax (online sales)
Date: 3 March – 26 March 2017
Operating Hours: Weekdays: 5pm – 11pm; Weekends: 2pm – 11pm

GastroBeats
Location: Bayfront Event Space
Date: 3 March – 26 March 2017
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 5pm – 11pm; Friday & Saturday: 4pm – 12am

3. Itsy – The Musical 

Itsy the Musical tells the tale of the evil Itsy Bitsy spider, who’s gathered an army of spiders to terrorise the characters in the nursery rhyme world. A grandfather in search of his grandson becomes an unlikely hero, as he fends off the eight-legged terror to protect the friends he’s met along the way—characters you’ll find familiar from reading all those nursery rhymes with your kids!

A moving tale of the bond between a grandparent and his grandchild, look out for special appearances by Jack and Jill, the Three Blind Mice, Humpty Dumpty and many others! With an entrancing mixture of puppetry and live action, you can expect a show with stunning effects and music both you and your tot will love!

Itsy—The Musical
Location: Victoria Theatre
Price: Standard: $75, $65, $55; Restricted View: $45
Date: 24 March – 2 April 2017

Click Image credit: Image credit: to find out more highlights happening during “A World Of Wonder” Garden Rhapsody.

A List Singapore is also easily available in both online and print versions. You can either follow them on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram , Youtube page, or get a hardcopy of their monthly magazine that is distributed at SMRT Stations island-wide.

Have a blast, and we hope you make some brilliant memories as a family!

Also, read 10 Cannot Miss Activities to End March With A Bang [15 – 31 March]

This Pop-Up Exhibition Will Show 16 Game Of Thrones-Themed Pencil Sculptures That Are Stunningly Detailed

Fans of the gruesome, epic Game of Thrones, here’s a special announcement you’ll definitely appreciate: there will be a pop-up exhibition featuring sculptures from your favourite HBO series on a rather unique medium–pencils!

Yep, unlike the large, life-sized structures that probably came to mind, this exhibition features very, very tiny sculptures, carved into the tips of graphite pencils.

The “Game of Thrones”: A Pencil Microsculpture Exhibition by Salavat Fidai features 16 GoT-themed microsculptures, many of which will be immediately recognizable for those of you GoT die-hards.

Look out for the Iron Throne, sigils from the various Houses, a White Walker, the Three Eyed Raven, Drogon the dragon, two swords – Brienne of Tarth’s Oathkeeper and Jon Snow’s Long Claw – and many more!

Happening for a very limited time only, between 22 Apr – 4 Jun, at the K+ Curatorial Space at Scotts Square, admission is completely free.

More On The Artist

These microsculptures are made by Russian artist and sculptor, Salavat Fidai, who is world-renowned as one of the finest in the field of miniature sculpture.

Not only does he create immaculate, detailed works of art on the tips of pencils with diameters from 5mm to as small as 2mm, he also does miniature paintings with similarly small objects as his canvas, such as matchboxes and seeds.

Marrying the hit TV series with a stunning, fascinating art form, head on down to appreciate not just the works, but the incredible craftsmanship that’s gone into making them!

Address: K+ Curatorial Space, #03-11/12/13 Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road
When: 22 Apr – 4 Jun