Please sign this!

(picture of the post #1, please click on the picture to enlarge)

STANDARD PROCEDURE

Well, let me give you a short insight into Singaporean immigration law. Due to the fact that there are many relatively poor countries in the direct neighborhood, immigration has grown into a tough topic during the last years. A case in point was my already mentioned 'incident' when I tried to enter the country with an incomplete work permit form (see post #2: Farewell). They were actually telling me that I could enter the country as a tourist, but depending on the mood of the officer in charge it could happen that I won't be allowed to work anymore later, even if I produced a correct permit. Imagine my heart thumping, thumping, thumping...

UNWANTED ADVANTAGES + FREETHINKING

Well, on Monday the 19th of September (my first day at work, more on this later...) I went to the Ministry of Manpower to apply for my final work permit (you get a identity card). Loads and loads of paperwork...this is really nasty, since a lacking piece of paper can lead to a (let me put it this way) decisive action by the authorities. The place was packed with people from all over Asia, a really interesting mixed bunch. What I really and finally realised that day was that Caucasians (for those of you who don't know the expression: "relating to or denoting a broad division of humankind covering peoples from Europe, western Asia, and parts of India and North Afric", basically white-skinned Europeans) always seem to have an advantage here. White-skinned people are generally treated in a more polite and friendly way, at least this is my personal impression. Maybe they think I do have some important position here. well, never mind ;-) But it is a weird and most of the time unpleasent feeling to be treated differently, just because of the color of my skin; no matter if it's positive or negative. I mean, why on earth should white-skinned people be automatically better? I could have been a crook and they would still treat me way more friendly right from the beginning than an honest man from a poor region in Thailand...

By the way, when I filled out one of the forms for my work permit I also had to state my religion..the only thing I (as an atheist) could pick was 'Freethinker'. So, if you like you can refer to me as a 'Caucasian Freethinker', which sounds somewhat awkward..

IS THIS A JOKE?

One of the many sheets of papers I had to sign was the one on the top of this post (potp #1). I had to smile a little when I read articles 8-11. The authorities seem to be wary that no wrong person ever gets too close with a local of the opposing gender (of whatever gender, to be politically up-to-date). It let me somewhat down to sign this..I mean, I did not have the intention or the immediate urge to marry one the local beauties (and there are indeed many, to say the least; I leave the rest to your imagination ;-)) right away. But the prohibition of any kind of cohabitation really stroke me...You know, I am currently a Bachelor and God knows where the wind will take me. Well, of course I signed it..otherwise I would probably be at home in Germany again and pet my cat right now..

SURPRISE

(potp #2, surprise; click on the picture to enlarge)

Five days later when I went to the same place again to pick up the ID-Card, one sheet of paper was attached to it (potp #2). It was really kind of funny in the first moment to get a formal permission to cohabit and even to marry. Was it the Caucasian bonus? Was it the European advantage? Did my company sign any kind of contract to support family planning? No, just kidding. I have no idea. I am just happy that this issue is solved and that I can indeed enjoy dinner with a Singaporean woman without the need to hide away whenever police pops up ;-)

Good night to all of you!