Problem
How to find like-minded individuals?
By age:
STUDENTS
Student groups such as Toastmasters International at the NUS (National University of Singapore0 meets every week in term time.
Mother and toddler groups.
Ex-pat groups including wives attached to the clubs : American, British, Canadian, Dutch, Japanese.
By Language
Go to a Toastmasters club meeting speaking
English
French
Chinese (Mandarin)
Tamil
By Games
Cards and Boardgames
Meetup has a boardgames section.
Belote or Baloot
Popular with Scandnavians, Europeans, Arabic countries.
Bridge
Bridge Clubs meet at some of the ex-pat and country clubs. At one time the American Club, the Tanglin Club and the Dutch club all had meetings. Tanglin moved the venue and closed the club. These things come and go. They might close down then open up again.
The American Club uses the American bidding system. The Tanglin club used Acol system which started at a bridge club in London, England. Some clubs let you use whichever system you and your partner agree on, so long as you tell the other couple.
If you want to practise bidding at home, save the free playing cards which you can get on Singapore Airlines. Revise your bidding on the plane.
Mahjong
Mahjong is also very popular, especially witht he Chinese and Asians. If you don't yet play mahjong, go to a class and meet other beginners.
Religious organisations
Christian
YMCA - the big branch in Orchard Road, another is the second YMCA, also the YWCA.
Many activities and classes meet weekly.
Moslem
Several Mosques.
Jewish
A synagogue with events such as Friday night meals. (High security so contact them in advance and take your passport and identity cards to get through the barriers.)
Indian Temple
The Toastmasters meeting which I went to at a Hindu Temple had four prepared speeches, at least one of which was about a religious story or myth, and spicy vegetarian food.
Museums
Become a friend of the museum for reductions in the museum shop, free entry or by-pass queue (line up as the Americans say) to exhbitions, and be emailed about events, and train to be a docent, go to seated lectures, or join walking tours.
Theatre and Performing Arts
Lots of events and courses and tours.
Wine and Dine Events In Restaurants
Many restaurants run wine and dine events. Find out if you will have a chance to meet other people. You often circulate with a sparkling wine or cocktail at the start. You might be seated at a long table which is ideal, especially if you are seated in the middle. Try to avoid being on the end or next to an empty place.
You might find individual tables set up in a foursome, or just two or a single. If you went out to meet people, being alone or with your partner is not very sociable. One method is to find another chatty couple and either sit in a foursome of at two adjoining tables. With luck, if you can't hear what the other couple are saying, one of them will decide you might as well push two tables together. Failing all else, arrive early, ask where you are sitting. If you don't like it, ask to be moved. you have paid - you might as well enjoy yourself.
Websites
Board games so you won't be bored watching sleeping (nocturnal) cats at the Cat Café in Boat Quay.
https://www.facebook.com/CatCafeNekonoNiwa
https://www.meetup.com/Singapore-International-Boardgames-Meetup/
https://www.couchsurfing.com/events/
https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
How to find like-minded individuals?
By age:
STUDENTS
Student groups such as Toastmasters International at the NUS (National University of Singapore0 meets every week in term time.
Mother and toddler groups.
Ex-pat groups including wives attached to the clubs : American, British, Canadian, Dutch, Japanese.
By Language
Go to a Toastmasters club meeting speaking
English
French
Chinese (Mandarin)
Tamil
Francophone de Singapour, French speaking club in Cairnhill Community Club, Singapore. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
By Games
Cards and Boardgames
Meetup has a boardgames section.
Belote or Baloot
Popular with Scandnavians, Europeans, Arabic countries.
Bridge
Bridge Clubs meet at some of the ex-pat and country clubs. At one time the American Club, the Tanglin Club and the Dutch club all had meetings. Tanglin moved the venue and closed the club. These things come and go. They might close down then open up again.
The American Club uses the American bidding system. The Tanglin club used Acol system which started at a bridge club in London, England. Some clubs let you use whichever system you and your partner agree on, so long as you tell the other couple.
If you want to practise bidding at home, save the free playing cards which you can get on Singapore Airlines. Revise your bidding on the plane.
Mahjong
Mahjong is also very popular, especially witht he Chinese and Asians. If you don't yet play mahjong, go to a class and meet other beginners.
Religious organisations
Christian
YMCA - the big branch in Orchard Road, another is the second YMCA, also the YWCA.
Many activities and classes meet weekly.
Moslem
Several Mosques.
Jewish
A synagogue with events such as Friday night meals. (High security so contact them in advance and take your passport and identity cards to get through the barriers.)
Indian Temple
The Toastmasters meeting which I went to at a Hindu Temple had four prepared speeches, at least one of which was about a religious story or myth, and spicy vegetarian food.
Museums
Become a friend of the museum for reductions in the museum shop, free entry or by-pass queue (line up as the Americans say) to exhbitions, and be emailed about events, and train to be a docent, go to seated lectures, or join walking tours.
Theatre and Performing Arts
Lots of events and courses and tours.
Wine and Dine Events In Restaurants
Many restaurants run wine and dine events. Find out if you will have a chance to meet other people. You often circulate with a sparkling wine or cocktail at the start. You might be seated at a long table which is ideal, especially if you are seated in the middle. Try to avoid being on the end or next to an empty place.
You might find individual tables set up in a foursome, or just two or a single. If you went out to meet people, being alone or with your partner is not very sociable. One method is to find another chatty couple and either sit in a foursome of at two adjoining tables. With luck, if you can't hear what the other couple are saying, one of them will decide you might as well push two tables together. Failing all else, arrive early, ask where you are sitting. If you don't like it, ask to be moved. you have paid - you might as well enjoy yourself.
Websites
Board games so you won't be bored watching sleeping (nocturnal) cats at the Cat Café in Boat Quay.
https://www.facebook.com/CatCafeNekonoNiwa
https://www.meetup.com/Singapore-International-Boardgames-Meetup/
https://www.couchsurfing.com/events/
https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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