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SDU

Continuing with the theme of population growth, there is an article today in TODAY, 'Helping Singles Meet Singles', for which I cannot find the link. In it, a 29-year-old gives his views on what can be done about the singles in that national survey who said they had problems socialising. Actually, I am surprised to know that they have problems socialising. Thought youngsters these days have many more opportunities and skills for socialising. Oh well...

Anyway, this guy says that he has peers who have 'given up trying'. Aiyoh! 29 years old only want to give up already!

He also echoed an old view that 'only desperate people sign up' - with dating agencies (today) and the SDU (in the past). However, his suggestions about getting companies to send their employees to social activities and other events are similiar to what the SDU used to do, what.

So, my suggestion is to bring the SDU back. After all, people being unable to socialise is a serious national problem so someone has to step in to enable them to socialise, right? It's all about creating opportunities and awareness.

I myself was a 'beneficiary' of the SDU. No, didn't meet my husband because of it but found some sessions 'enriching'.

There was this personal grooming course (ladies only) which I signed up for because it had a Colour Me Beautiful component. Ha ha, so vain, right? It was conducted by an image consultant who also recommended her hair stylist (a very high end one) to us. I remember she said that being busy was no excuse for sacrificing personal grooming and that she herself masked her face while ironing her clothes in the morning before going to work. Thought that was crazy.

Then, this 50-ish lady, and I now cannot recall her connection to the course or the image consultant, talked about some general stuff and it was amusing having her tell us about her ex-boyfriends!

Another activity I went for was an afternoon with the Singapore Dance Theatre. Not a dance course but one of these 'public education' sessions which I think they also did for schools - general things about ballet + some performances. I am surprised that even one male signed up. I enjoyed very much seeing the dancers perform at close range. You know, usually you watch from so far away from the stage so this was really a treat.

My friend said I made the mistake of driving there because no guy could then send me home. But I wasn't about to climb Fort Canning on a hot afternoon.

So, you see, the SDU wasn't that bad. If you are 'desperate', you need to play your cards right (e.g. don't drive to 'mixed' events). If you are not, you can still learn things and get to know more people. No harm, what. As I said, it's about opportunities and awareness.

Comments

Lam Chun See said…
Hey I too attended a couple of sessions. Of all places we went on a visit to SIA trg centre and I had a go at the flight simulator. I don't remember any of the people I met that day; but I do remember crashing the Boeing plane!
Anonymous said…
How exciting! Don't remember them having it during my time.
Anonymous said…
I like their activity aso. I used to benefit a lot too. Recently, especially I sign up for events, though it cost a lot, $40 min to $99 for a 3 hours session, I think if they dont outsource to 'Private' companies and stay their charges 'reasonable' ... more poorer and cannot afford the events...

I find un-justifiable the high cost to pay SOo much for merely abt 2 hours social event!

Hopefully those private companies can help to reduce the pricing and it increases like ALL are increasing like mad to earn big $$.

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