The Chinese equivalent of "hello" is literally "have you eaten yet?"
This is the nucleus around which the entire culture revolves. Food. It's not uncommon in many other cultures, food is the magnet that brings family and friends together. But for Singaporeans, it's a topic that needs no rest, it fuels itself, it's a monster.
It's like this: you live to eat. While you're eating, you're discussing your next meal, you're comparing these noodles to the same noodles at that other place, they're not as good as that other place, how you can make it better by dipping the chicken in this sauce, how you can make it at home, why don't we try the other noodles next time?, what should we have for dinner?, what time should we meet for breakfast?, have you tried (insert food name here)?, you should, Michael you should try that it's something special, it's something different, it's out of this world, oh we should go to that store on Holland Road for it, it's better there, in fact let's have that for dinner, do you want dessert?, you should try our local desserts, never mind - just try you don't have to like it, oh you like it? take more, finish it, don't be shy, try this other kind, it's even better, take the last piece, c'mon don't waste it.
Our loveable little monster.
For photos from Singapore, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/31967627@N00/sets/72157594349223995
