It shames us really, when juxtaposed against the magnificent facade of the city of London and painted against the exquisite culture which floods the streets like the same blaring sirens and red lights spotting our urbanized town. Travelling to London, even if just for a week, has reshaped my definition of a mature society and city and in comparison, we pale in extreme comparison to the likes of a city like London.

Looking past the even-higher standard of living and perhaps overtly-liberalized culture to swear and get drunk all over the streets (which I wouldn't say is particularly unwelcomed in my books), London is a completely revamped city with buildings that resemble dilapidated bricked walls and still emanate a sense of security and warmth. The not-so-towering cathedrals still feel so royal and majestic and even the gloomy skyline of the city seem to agree with the city folk, huddled in their trench coats and jackets, head down, smiles up. Architectural wise, London gives a completely different feel as opposed to our high-rise buildings and ubiquitous sightings of HDBs. Instead, a city as old as London has managed to preserve its culture and history in the foundation of its structures despite having being destroyed a couple of times in fires and whatnot calamities or disasters. A country as young as ours, albeit tremendously developed I must say, cannot boot to be mature when compared to London. We often confuse the notion of being developed or living in first-world conditions to being matured and that shallow thought is in itself evidence of the room for maturation we have created for ourselves.

More importantly, the people in London are testimony to how the culture of the city have shaped its elements. The common stereotype is that Westerners are often treated better in Singapore because there is the impression of affluence and wealth. While that may be true, I believe the stronger and more obvious although often undermined reason is that they seem friendlier and naturally, there is a propensity for us to reciprocate the warmth. Never before have I felt that the people in a particular city were so alive and even more so, approachable. In Singapore, if you ever need to approach a stranger to perhaps look for direction, you would take a moment to discern and carefully pick someone who actually looks friendly and willing to help. In London, everyone fits that bill and it's almost like you're lost within a carnival of family members. I say this objectively and without bias but truth be told, our city is too fast-paced and we might be losing the most rudimentary of skills--one of being human. The competitive edge might be driving us too far off the ledge that we are no longer beings trying to survive together in the city; we are simply selfish individuals trying to survive. And that pains me.

So much more can be said about how we are so far away from the idealistic nature of being matured but I wouldn't dare say we are far off. If we can put aside our competitive differences and learn to embrace the most basic need for humans to cooperate and communicate, half the battle would have already been won.

The blistering chill that leaves you yearning for more...

West-end productions as major substitutes to films...

2000 years of rich history...

Given the choice, where would I live?