TikTok user’s critique of Singapore’s costs and atmosphere gains traction, with many agreeing, but some pushing back.
SINGAPORE – “Can someone answer this question? What do you actually do in Singapore besides eat and shop?” asked TikTok user Grace Cheng, known as @gracietravels on the platform. Her video, posted on July 18, where she stated, “Singapore is definitely not on my list of favorites,” has since been viewed over 212,000 times, sparking a heated discussion.
Cheng, who has traveled to 33 countries, cited several reasons for her lack of enthusiasm about the island city. First, she criticized the “locals are pretty rude” after a taxi driver did not smile and asked her to load her own luggage into the car. She also said, “The only time he talked was to ask how much money I make.”
Next, Cheng complained about the “super Westernized” feel of Singapore, which made her feel disconnected from the Asian experience. She also found the costs in Singapore exorbitant, specifically calling out the price of a room at Marina Bay Sands, which she described as “a fortune.” “I’ve stayed at so many better hotels that are actually worth paying for,” she added.
Her frustrations continued with the city’s food scene. Cheng stated that she struggled to find restaurants serving decent, reasonably priced food and ended up frequenting hawker centers instead. She further lamented that “everything in Singapore feels so artificial,” remarking that it seemed like a city designed purely for entertainment, likening it to the “Las Vegas of Asia.”
However, Cheng did acknowledge that she liked the “pretty” gardens, although she said, “there is just no natural substance to the country.”
While Cheng invited locals who disagreed with her to comment on her video, most of the feedback was critical of her observations. One commenter responded, “Why would you stay at the Sands and complain about how expensive it is? It’s a you thing.” Another added, “Is it just me or do I never expect taxi drivers to put my luggage in the car for me?” Yet, others found Cheng’s points more relatable, with one writing, “You absolutely nailed it- I worked 2 years in Singapore & 2 years in Hanoi – enjoyed Hanoi so much more. The ferry to Bintan was the best about it.”
Despite the backlash, many others echoed her sentiments, agreeing that Singapore’s costs and artificial atmosphere left something to be desired.
