Singapore?? To New York????? Sorry what? Singapore is fine as far as a hot place with incredible food and good hotels to spend a few nights, but it’s also quite possibly the most boring major city I’ve been to outside of that and there doesn’t seem to be any cultural life beyond shopping - based on my own experience and that of friends who’ve lived there.
I could also take issue with comparing Sydney to NY, but I’ll let that one go ;)
In defense of sg, the only reason you said this is you never left orchard rd. You can experience worlds of culture just eating food at any given neighborhood coffee shop or going to a wet market in the morning. It just is a different culture, one that doesn't try to emulate America too much (hipster shit like live music or public art or things like that).
There is a certain kind of live music and public art that (honestly) tourists are looking for which the person I was referring to didn't see. There is "music" and "performance" that fit into the guise of culture but it isn't really for tourist consumption.
That said, there is live music and public art too, just since it isn't Singapore's culture but an import from the west, there's less of it (see my rant on western food).
EDIT removed "white" qualifier for tourist, my brain still thinks in US but really all tourists from wherever go to the malls and idk promenade but miss the kopitiams and markets because it's just not in the touristy areas.
Not American, live in London. Not to get into a pissing contest, but I can go to Ridley Rd for a wet market and still have any amount of cultural stuff to do. SG does have the food, but it’s a company town entirely driven around (conspicuous…) consumption. Less shit Dubai.
All that said, I like spending a few days there - again, the food! - but I’d rather be in Bangkok or KL for longer, e.g.
I could also take issue with comparing Sydney to NY, but I’ll let that one go ;)