Sunday, December 4, 2011

Sunday Rantings. 4 Dec 2011

Here I go again, nothing better to do on Sunday than to spout my nonsense.
I'll start with the best article this week found somewhere inside the back pages!

SINGAPORE HAS NO MORE VIRGINS!
Okay, honestly it didn't say that but LOL from the same logic propounded in the article, the headlines could read as that.
Saudi Arabian academics in submitting their report to their Legislative Council  justified their ban on women from driving or leaning to drive in that country. Within 10 years of lifting the ban, there would be no more virgins left in the country, they claimed!
Well, Singapore never had a ban on women driving, so in theory, we don't have any virgin women drivers left. Go figure.

NAJIB SAYS THEY NEED THE SUPPORT OF ALL RACES.
Hmm? Didn't I just read only yesterday, his deputies were proclaiming they must be supreme and not let the others even have a chance? Oh well. I am not bothered with the politics up north. The domestic politics have me confused enough.

IT'S OKAY TO SPAY YOUR KIDS
WHAT?? Spay your kids!
Oops, sorry, eyesight playing tricks on this old man.
It's okay to spy on your kids.
Well Tracy, whatever you wish.
Call it monitoring, call it spying or call it concern.
I  rather use the word Trust.
Maybe check the room once a while for needles?

BIG BARGAINS FROM PREMIUM OUTLETS? NOT SO
This was from Saturday but I include this as a passing thought 'cos many of these bargain-hunter newbies get caught in a trap that they later learn much to their regret.
Johor has opened up a new "Premium Outlet" just north of the border, an hours car ride away.
Brand Names at bargain prices will attract brand conscious Singaporean bargain hunters by the droves. Nothing wrong with that at all.

However, remember this little warning from Uncle James!
Bargain Prices does not mean Duty-Free nor GST-free. Think Singapore Customs!
It may be a great bargain only if you buy and consume within your own country.
Forgetting to factor in Customs Duty or GST may make your trip and bargains into an exercise in futility.

ALL new articles brought into Singapore, whether for personal or commercial use, are subjected to Duty and/or GST. All your lovely Coaches, Pradas and Ferragamos are subject to 7% GST on the bargain prices you paid. You are given only $50 GST allowance if you make a day trip and slightly more if you stay overnight. You MUST declare at the RED Channel any purchases over $50 that you made.

You wouldn't want the embarrassing experience of sitting in the Customs office feeling like a criminal I tell you! Happy shopping and a Merry Xmas.


TECHNICAL GLITCH AT NEW TRANSFORMERS RIDE.
Deja Vu.
Maybe they should consider linking it to the Battlestar Galactica ride so that there's always a backup?
Just hope the seats don't transform into flying platforms. Touch wood.


21 REDHILL BLOCKS PICKED FOR SERS.
Wow, 21 blocks would probably hold the record for the largest mass re-settlement.
It was only 12 blocks at Hillview when they said it was the largest SERS move.
And you know what? These 21 blocks just completed their Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) recently.
Only goes to confirm one truth: YOU DO NOT OWN YOUR HDB FLAT!
Home 'ownership' is just a facade for the 'lease' that you hold from the real owners: HDB.
Wonder if they'll build a bypass through it? Clementi residents can save 5 mins getting to town.


* Sunday Rantings are my thoughts on a lazy Sunday morning after reading the Sunday papers. This may or may not be a regular feature depends on whether I have the energy after breakfast. Also Sunday Mass has a calming effect, so the more I pay attention to the sermons, the less I rant. The long rants probably mean I fell asleep during Mass.

3 comments:

  1. I say "Keep on ranting!"...saves me reading the bulky Sunday edition :). Very humourous...I like it! steph

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  2. Enjoyable read thanks. I thought that SG is a duty-free port?
    Cheers, GJH

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  3. Hi GJH,
    Glad you are enjoyed it.

    Singapore is a DUTY-FREE country but not GST-free!
    Excise Duty is levied on Tobacco, Alcohol, motor vehicles and I think petroleum(?). All other stuff are Duty-free, but GST applies for on Services or Goods brought in for personal or commercial use.

    GST & Excise Duty are 2 different components of Singapore taxes, but many people are confused about it and think they are the same things.

    I did a project about a year back with Singapore Customs and I can tell you firsthand that they DO NOT accept the excuse "I didn't know, or I was not aware" when you are caught not paying duty or GST. There are lots of signage on your way towards the RED or GREEN Channels, so you have no excuses to say u didn't read them!

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