As an ex-expat to Singapore myself, Amanda, and a non-coffee drinker, I realize what I missed out on by not attempting to order coffee. Tea just isn't that difficult. Thanks for the fun read.
Love it! It is those small activities that can define one’s experience in a foreign place, and they are usually hard to identify! You did a great job doing so!
You made me do a nostalgic trip to the *kopitiams* I loved to stop by every time I would go to Singapore for work! Glad you found your way through the perfect cup of coffee, and perfect mix of languages!
You made this coffee sound so appealing, and I don't even drink coffee (it may have been the mention of roasting the beans in butter that got me, I'll be honest, I can't resist butter!) Well done on being brave enough to ask, I think I would have had the same anxiety!
Wonderful as always. Amanda's essays lift me up out of the overwhelm of the day. She helps me imagine I go wherever she goes. Looking forward to the next essay.
Love this line; "flop sweat in Singapore isn’t much different than everyday Singapore sweat, except, perhaps, in quantity and origin."
What can I say? I flopped in Singapore! Thanks so much, Julie, for reading and taking the time to share your comment!
Delightfully amusing!
Thank you, Iris!
The shouting uncles. The veg chopping auntie. The pigeon...perfect.
Thank you, Paige!
As always, I'm delighted by your writing. Thanks so much for posting this, I needed a pick me up today!
Thank you, Tim! Nothing picks you up like a sturdy cup of Singapore coffee!
As an ex-expat to Singapore myself, Amanda, and a non-coffee drinker, I realize what I missed out on by not attempting to order coffee. Tea just isn't that difficult. Thanks for the fun read.
Thanks so much, Nancy! I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!
I enjoyed this delightful article. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thank YOU for taking the time to read and comment on it! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Love it! It is those small activities that can define one’s experience in a foreign place, and they are usually hard to identify! You did a great job doing so!
Thank you, Kirsten! Miss you!
You made me do a nostalgic trip to the *kopitiams* I loved to stop by every time I would go to Singapore for work! Glad you found your way through the perfect cup of coffee, and perfect mix of languages!
Thank you! And I'm glad you enjoyed it! Did you have a "go-to" kopi order?
You made this coffee sound so appealing, and I don't even drink coffee (it may have been the mention of roasting the beans in butter that got me, I'll be honest, I can't resist butter!) Well done on being brave enough to ask, I think I would have had the same anxiety!
Everything's better with butter, Charlotte! And I'll let you in on a secret...much of the ordering applies to tea also. Not the butter, though.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and "like" and comment -- it really means a lot to me!
Ever wondered how the way coffee is made and consumed either affects or is affected by societal behavior?
Spoiler alert: It's more influential than your morning horoscope.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-147344389
Interesting piece. Thank you for sharing!
Love it Amanda! Right on the button of how complicated it is to get one's coffee order right in Singapore :)
Enjoying your work, thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to read, Joy! I appreciate it!
Terrific essay! Brought back wonderful memories of Singapore.
Thanks so much, Oanh!
So relatable! I was so proud of myself when I learned to order Kopi peng gau siew dai. 😂
I'm proud of you too, Lauren! It's a real accomplishment! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment!
A complicated cup of coffee that you handled with such aplomb.
I did my best, Dana! It was easier the second time! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Wonderful as always. Amanda's essays lift me up out of the overwhelm of the day. She helps me imagine I go wherever she goes. Looking forward to the next essay.
Thank you, Edna! You're so kind!