10 Reasons Why Some S’poreans Prefer a Life in the 90s

Last Updated on 2023-03-04 , 3:04 pm

Anyone who has lived through the 90s as a young adult or adult would miss those days—days when everything was carefree, life was less competitive and people were friendlier.

If you’ve been through these years, do you miss any of these things?

People have social skills because there was no Internet

The Internet is a double-edged sword: on one side, it makes communication a lot easier, and on the other side, it builds a wall between people. In the 90s, if you’re not happy with someone, you say it right in front of him or her. Now? You post it on Facebook and let everyone know your displeasure.

People live to survive and not for ego

While it’s good that people no longer need to work like a slave just to put bread on the table, those simple lives bring out the best in us: we earn money to eat. Now, to some people, they earn money to impress others. Ego becomes the new bread.

Life was relatively less competitive

Without globalisation then, the competition was restricted by boundaries. You only need to be the best in Singapore to stay competitive. Now? You need to be the best in the world to maintain your status.

Not everyone was obsessed with money

Just take a look at our neighbouring country, Malaysia. Many of them aren’t that obsessed with money and seek only for good shelter and food. Take a look at us. Enough money for good shelter and food isn’t enough—we need more, and more, and more. And God knows why.

Everyone was out in the streets

In the 90s, the only entertainment at home was that TV, and even after going through all channels, we usually couldn’t find a show we like to watch. And so, we went out, and everyone was out there, shopping, playing pool or simply catching up. Now, we shop, game and catch up on our phone…at home.

We cooked at home and have fun

Notice how HDB kitchens have become smaller and smaller, and more coffee shops appearing in neighbourhoods? Well, that’s because we’ve lost the best social activity at home: cooking.

We chatted during meals

Remember when “having a meal” together meant a long chit-chat session? Now, having a meal together literally means having a meal together—plus a few Instagram shots before the meal, and browsing through your Facebook newsfeed. You can even have a meal without saying a single word.

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We didn’t complain much

Now, with the Internet, we complained just about everything: from a five-minute MRT delay to a cashier who forgot to give us our receipt. We complained so much, we forget how to be happy.

We really kept in touch with each other

Monthly or annual gatherings among classmates were common, despite the difficulty in organising one since it had to be done via phones (the fixed one at home, mind you!). Now, keeping in touch means stalking someone on Facebook. It’s scary how someone knows so much about you when you haven’t meet him for years!

We remembered to be happy

This is the most important point: we remembered that life was all about being happy. Now? We remembered what we’re angry about. Just browse through your Facebook newsfeed and you’ll get the idea.

Watch this video to the end to experience how the 90s in Singapore feels like (and please subscribe to our YouTube channel for more meaningful videos!):