new thread
The question below about the reaction to long hair in UK provoked this post. Does anyone know if the discriminatory policy against long hair in Singapore is still there?
Hi Rudy,
As a tourist, I had no problem in Singapore two years ago. I also know that there is the occasional male university professor with long hair - apparently without discrimination.
I'm sure Jin is able to provide a much more detailed perspective on the situation in Singapore.
Hans-Uwe
Hello,
In the seventies, people with long hair were barred from entering Singapore. A long-haired tourist had the option of visiting the airport barbershop, for a "normal" haircut if he wanted to proceed with his trip, or else, take the next plane back home.
Rock bands had a hard time, needless to say, entering Singapore, and many concerts were cancelled.
However, I do have a long-haired coleague go to singapore in the past two years, and he had no problems. It seems that over the years, the rules were relaxed.
Have a nice day,
Georges in Montreal.
My my ... I gotta answer this ...
Yes, it was a written law that men's hair must be maintained above the collar line in the 70s. It became a "flexible law" in the 80s and is currently "effectively abolished". On the contrary, creativity and self-expression is now encouraged. Long hair is ok.
I am one Singaporean with waist-length hair, and pursuing my PhD on a government-sponsored scholarship in a local university. FYI, I went for my scholarship interview - chaired by a high-ranking government official - with lower-back long hair, and got the scholarship. I understood the main reason being my response to his question on "why did you keep long hair" - I said, "That's my antenna for inspiration."
Jolly good. That's far better than some places which never had such laws.
Taiwan used to have laws requiring short hair back ing the 60-70's. If you had long hair the cops would arrest you and take you to a barber to be forcefully shaved. Today this nonsense is esentially gone and schools are not allowed to regulate hair length... however some schools still do.
If you go, just be on your best behavior. Do you remember what happened to Michael Faye? I'm a law abiding citizen and I'm glad guys can express themselves and have long hair in Singapore. I wouldn't mind visiting that country, but remembering what happen to Michael Faye and the punishment he received, I'd have second thoughts. Just watch some videos on youtube.com (caning) and you can see what I mean.
