Singapore and Singaporeans

Nance doesn't want to meet younger people. There is nothing to talk about with them. People her own age on the other hand, her women friends, have children, with whom they are preoccupied. Having studied overseas Nance has no friends here from university days. One friend from schooldays who makes an effort to accommodate her is Dorothy. Dorothy understands and sympathizes with Nancy. Once a fortnight or so Dorothy and Nancy catch up. Dorothy has two young children who usually remain with their grannie when Dorothy and Nancy meet. Had Nance been in luck in her marriage she would now be in a position like Dorothy. 
         This weekend she and Dorothy are going over the Causeway to have their haircut at Johor Bahru. It's little more than an half hour's drive and everything is so much cheaper in Malaysia. A former best friend, Angel, is too preoccupied now with her children to make time for Nancy. Angel had a bad first marriage too, with affairs on both sides. She did though have a child. Second time round she found better luck and now has two children. In earlier days the two friends had much to share.

         Nance is often down. There is nothing to do when she gets home from work. After the failure of the marriage in Canada Nancy returned here to live with her parents, who don't get on. No one talks to the father, not Nance's mother, not Nance herself, nor her two brothers. (The older sister may do, as she is always left off the list.) 
         TV. The telephone, if Nance can find someone with whom to talk. Dinner arrangements. Before bed and the following day. 
         Virtually every night Nance wakes at four or four thirty and can't get back to sleep. Hopelessness is overtaking her. Next month she turns thirty seven. 
         Nance doesn't like Singaporean men. 
         - You may not know Singaporean men do not like Singaporean women, she says. It is well known, she says. 
         And apartment prices are always on the rise. A place of Nance’s own always seems far out of reach.