Our conversation:
I: Will you be able to handle full time studying and work at the same time?
He: That’s not an issue; I will be working part time only.
I: Ah, OK. So, you will have enough time for studies if you work part time and return home around 2or 3 PM.
He: No, Tom. Part time means working from 9AM to 5PM or 6 PM not from 9AM to 1PM.
I: Hahahahahahahaha. Are you kidding me or what? Part time from 9 to 5? Come on, that’s full time. So, what are the full time hours, then?
He: I guess – 9AM to 9PM.
I: Oh, my god. That’s incredible.
That’s how the working hours on average look like in Singapore or Asia in general. I, sort of, suspected that even before coming here, but after being here, talking to people and seeing people that actually work every day like that…….I guess it’s really not my cup of tea. I can now officially confirm, that I prefer Australian or European life/work balance. No questions about it. I am wondering how long is it going to take for Asia to change – or will it be the other way around – Europe and Australia degrading their work/life balance?
