The Reality of Living in Singapore and Europe as a Chinese

Meet Jingjin. Originally from China, she moved to Germany at the age of 16 and then to Singapore 6 years ago. We discussed the sense of privilege she experiences living in Singapore compared to Europe, her successful multimillion-dollar business sale, and decision not to pursue Singaporean citizenship. Enjoy!

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
00:32 First Impressions of Singapore
02:56 Chinese in Singapore
03:45 Germany VS Singapore
06:07 German habits
06:29 Singaporean citizenship
07:30 Multimillion-dollar business sale
09:09 Expensive things
10:18 Women in Asia

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Hey! This channel bridges the gap between locals and foreigners in Singapore. Join Max as he interviews expats, unraveling their unique stories and providing valuable insights into their lives in this vibrant city-state. Through engaging conversations, Max fosters understanding and appreciation between Singaporeans and the global community with a focus on cultural exchange.

#ExpatLife #MaxChernov #Singapore

[capyb]

After reading some comments about her feeling "privileged" in Singapore, I want to come to her defence. 1. Her use of the word may stem from her being racially discriminated in the Western countries. In comparison, she feels "privileged" as a Chinese here. You have to remember background and context when people use certain words. 2. She may have misused the word. When in fact she meant she feels respected and appreciated, especially when people know she is an investor. 3. She probably did a direct translation from Chinese word to English word and used "privilege" in when she means respected and not discriminated agst. Honestly, a privilege person will not say she is privileged. It just goes to show that she is humbled enough to feel like she is respected in the community.
I always find it that we get too hung up on a word or a couple of sentences. Look at it in the context of her background and her experiences.

[rogeretiennedelacruz]

This is a precious lesson I learnt from Jingjin, "Be your own advocate because if you don't no one will be your advocate." As an Asian, some of us tend to be shy about speaking about our achievements because we were taught not to be braggards or show offs. I learnt that confidence and results need to go hand in hand.

She is incredibly honest, humble and so open in sharing her experiences. Thank you!

[axianskin]

I love this gal. She has no filter and speaks so frankly and refreshingly. By far, she’s the most interesting guest interview 👍👍👍
What she says about holding a China passport is troublesome for traveling is SO SO TRUE. And she earns my respect when she said she will only apply for a particular country’s passport when she identifies her value with that country, but not out of convenience.

[shuronglutz]

I am a Chinese Chinese and have been living in Germany for more than 20 years. Germany is a small country but a great and a generous country in my eyes, it is my second hometown. Germany treats its own citizens and foreigners fairly. As a foreign child you will get the same free school education from primary school to university like German kids and children of refugees get this free school education too. No one will be previlleged and no on will be discriminated there. All children enjoy the free medical care as long as they are at school. This benefit you will never get in SG or in China. All German universities are free to all foreign students. Very less countries in the world can do that like Germany!

In Germany employees enjoy much better company benifits, employee-friendly labor rights, more paid leave days in a year, affordeble health insurance with the same medical treatments, Christmas and summer bonus, overtime is forbidden. As opposed to German Singaporaen used to work very long, they have less paid leave days. Very bad social caring for freelances. SG is only good for rich and younger people. Foreigners are sometimes discriminated in SG, for example foreingers must pay for the entrance of a garden but the locals don't. In Germany if sth is free for Germans, it is also free for foreigners. I paid 15$ for an orchid garden two years ago, but my SG girlfriend didn't need to pay. I explained to Singaporean that this was discrimination in Europe! Singaporean are very inpatient and always complain and like to scold others.

Regarding to her opinion that German cities looking always the same, this is because of German laws that protect the old buildings. All buildings older than 80 years are strictly protected and not allowed to be turned down. And most of these old buildings are privat properties, the government has no right to demolish them. I don't like too many changes in a place. Everytime when I return to China I can't recognize my hometown anymore and it looks like everywhere without its own identity.

The only advantage of SG in comparison with Germany for me is the delicious food there. This is what I can't get in Germany.

Finally I wish all you guys a pleasant and succeful life in SG.

[fosa]

I’m a Singaporean and my skin tends to turn dark when the weather is hot.Some Chinese Singaporean especially the older generation think I’m a Bangladeshi and treat me hastily..That’s where the good part begin and begin to boombard them make them realise that I’m a Singaporean too..These people never realised their forefathers were immigrant too..

[Jack-mmbl]

As a Sporean, I was treated as a 2nd class or 3rd class Chinese in China.

[dawnho]

I beg to differ some of the views she had mentioned. However, this interview did show how a wealthy foreign Chinese views Singapore and its citizens, very different from the other interviews that Max had done before. It's a good video.

[chunpenghau]

I do respect of her opinions from a different background and experience. Anyway, thanks Max for the sharing and that’s interesting topics.

[JurongStrangler]

Like someone said, the "privilege" she mentioned was most likely due to her social class, nothing to do with race. Max, you should interview the street level China Chinese, those in construction, F&B etc. They form the biggest group of China citizens working here and I doubt they will tell you about "privilege." In fact, many Chinese Singaporeans view them negatively due to their loud and perceived uncouth nature. Chinese Singaporean here

[watis]

Max, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos. I discovered your channel after searching YouTube for videos about Singapore as I had been feeling homesick. I’m a Singaporean who has been a US PR for almost three decades. I love listening to the different perspectives of foreigners living in Singapore but this one is my favorite so far. People need not be upset if they keep in mind that her opinion is based on her personal experiences, and everyone’s experiences are different.
As someone mentioned, I’d love to watch an interview of foreigners who work in the “blue collar” industry. I think their perspective is equally valuable and interesting.
Thank you once again and keep the videos coming!

[mizuno]

Great interview! Love hearing her perspective and experiences in Singapore

[CapDingo]

Jingjin sounds like a really nice person and could be a nice friend. Straight forward, real, clear headed, speaks her mind. Thumbs up!

[vivianidelacerda]

What an interesting interview. Love the lady's views. Thanks for posting.

[yangtzeling]

I love her confidence and I admire her brutal honesty.

[janemuses]

Her experience is mostly an artifact of being part of a majority race - that being Chinese in Singapore. Believe me, growing up in Singapore and being used to being the majority race, then moving to the US, one basically is the minority race - its quite an eye opener. There is mostly nothing inherently racist in how I am treated here in the US - sure there are rare encounters where it's racially motivated but honestly, people just gravitate to others who look like them.

[hermanhsu]

Anyone is only representing oneself. She is practically telling her life, for that, thumb up.

[ttkhthomas]

i'm malaysia born ethics chinese. i'm not chinese i'm malaysian. i had nothing to do with china and communism

[warrensee]

The diversity of the people walking by throughout the interview is a testament of the diversity of Singapore!

[AndorranStairway]

I don’t foresee this video being very well received because of the sensitive and controversial topics.

It is true that any racial majority in any country will enjoy certain social privileges, but to say you like Singapore _because_ of this privilege is not going to be something people are going to enjoy hearing.

And to say that the average person in Singapore has a “low life standard” because billionaires don’t go to hawker centers and the same restaurants? I don’t know about that one.

If there’s one thing many Singaporeans don’t like, it’s wealthy foreigners talking about their wealth, and enjoying local privileges while espousing their pride as foreign Nationals.
Locals are well aware of the allure of their country, and they do not appreciate being relegated to being second class citizens because of wealthy foreigners.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike Jingjin, but any opinions within the territory of social stratification are best kept to private circles.

[iamdayah]

Malay Singaporean here! Wasnt greatly affected when she talked about her Chinese privileges here in Singapore (honestly thats really how it is) but similar sentiments w the rest, really loved her honesty and esp towards the end when she talks about women in asia & dealing in businesses. Very different than the other content of yours ive seen so far. Loved it