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First world Singaporean problems

Start the year off by complaining about our first world problems.

Audrey Leong

Published: 3 January 2017, 8:03 PM

Happy new year!

As we breathe in 2017, we always hope that the new year will be better than the one before.

Let’s be honest though, some problems will never go away, and as Singaporeans, what do we do when we encounter even slight inconveniences? We complain – it’s what we do best.

So to start off the new year, here are a few first world Singaporean problems that even a new year won’t stop us complaining about.

1. When you need to pay by cash, but you forget to draw money

Ever since the introduction of cashless payment, using a card to pay for your things has become second nature.

The pain then comes when the place you’re eating at only accepts cash, and you only have receipts in your wallet.

WHERE’S THE MONEY WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST?

It gets even worse when you get to the cash machine and it looks like everyone and their mother decided to withdraw money at exactly the same time as you.

And to top it all off, as if the queue wasn’t bad enough, the machine only allows you to draw out money in denominations of $50.

Truly a #firstworldSingaporeanproblem.

2. When you get on public transport and your EZ-Link hasn't been topped up

You’re across the road as your only bus out of your area pulls up at the bus stop. You make the mad dash to get on the bus, and you make it!

Panting, you try to tap your card, but you hear the sad and embarrassing sound of the EZ-Link machine telling you that you don’t have enough money for the bus.

THE EZ-LINK MACHINE’S CHOICE OF PUNISHMENT— PUBLIC HUMILIATION.

Amid the judgemental stares from the bus driver and the other passengers on the bus, you end up desperately trying to dig out whatever coins you have from your wallet to pay for your ride.

If only EZ-Link cards could top themselves up without the hassle of having to connect your bank account to your card.

3. When you forget to bring your phone charger out

Possibly one of the most irritating things that could happen is realising your phone is dangerously low on power barely halfway through the day.

Even having a portable charger on hand is only part of the solution. Remember that time you could not find your phone’s charging wire?

WITHOUT THE WIRE, THE PORTABLE CHARGER IS PRACTICALLY USELESS.

Here comes the dilemma of wondering if you should just go out to spend the unnecessary money on a brand new wire, or if you should just try to conserve your battery power and hope it lasts till you get back.

It’s frustrating that all these smart phones have the power to access the internet and produce augmented reality filters for photos, yet their battery life can’t last for more than a day anymore.

4. When the train breaks down and you're clearly rushing for time

We’ve saved the best for last.

Train breakdowns have become more common in recent times, and it’s so annoying when the train breaks down and you’re in a rush.

Honestly, we think the trains can smell our eagerness to get somewhere fast and thus break down on purpose, even during peak hour.

TRAIN BREAKDOWNS ARE PROBABLY THE ULTIMATE #FIRSTWORLDSINGAPOREANPROBLEM.

Ever seen a synchronised eye roll? If you’re not rolling your own eyes at the announcement that the train has stopped due to “issues”, watch as an entire carriage of people does it simultaneously.

Did we miss anything out? Share with us some of your #firstworldSingaporeanproblems below!