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idk

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b)-
c) i agree to this statemant to a certain extent. money is unable to buy happiness, like the happiness u feel when ur spending time with a precious loved one or someone important to u. however, it buy u food certain services like amusement park tickets, movie tickets or games, which can make one happy too.  no im not talking abt those types of service ok. yes so simple things like bonding with someone is good enough to make one happy, or like having a facetime or video call with someone, that's the kind of genuine happiness money cannoy buy. but im not rlly good at these types of happiness experiences because I haven't felt genuine happiness since 2014 yea ok

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1.) Drums are an extremely crucial component of pop music. When you talk about performing for a group of audience or busking along Orchard Road, I will definitely want to play the drums. Drumming would often give people a perception of being part of heavy metal or rap, but that is not the case. In fact, the drums would be an exceptional addition to many various types of music ranging from pop, hip-hop or even soul music. The consistent beat and rhythm that resonates from the fixed motion of flicking your wrists with the drum sticks, against the stretched fitting on the surface of the drums. These encapsulate me within my own bubble where I am totally absorbed within the solid beats of the drums. It keeps my mind focused and lifts my mood when I am feeling dejected. The sonorous repercussions from the Hi-Hat and Low-Hat cymbals blend smoothly with the music, and my mind just synchronises with the steady beats. I wouldnt see performing or busking along Orchard Road while playing the drums as a form of gathering a huge crowd, but instead more of performing purely out of enjoyment. This is indeed an experience which cannot be replicated, especially when the crowd goes wild and everyone enjoys singing their hearts out to the lyrics of the song.

2.) I have a couple of friends who learn how to play the piano, and they would probably enjoy relaxing after a stressful day with the upbeat tunes of classical music. What really makes people love classical music so much is how it can be so simple but yet sophisticated. It keeps you enjoying the full movement of the piece without boring you out, and its great for concentrating while studying too. Sir/Mam, wouldnt you agree that most cafes actually choose to play classical jazz music in the background? It is a common sight to see students or working adults sitted comfortably on a seat at Starbucks with a cup of coffee and their laptops, working on their projects or studying for upcoming tests. Classical music just like these give an elegant atmosphere which appeals to most people despite probably having different tastes of music. In fact, classcial music would be appropriate for most occasions, which makes it perfect for lifting the mood anytime and anywhere. However, unlike my friends, I would think I prefer pop music. As the name suggests, it is popular among people and has very simple yet catchy lyrics. When you hear the tune of 'One Last Time' by Ariana Grande, we recognise it by the simple lyrics which we remember and its what makes every pop song unique. For instance, every pop song is bound to have a mix of different genres, with some even having little bits of rap or remixes which enhances the overall layout of the song. This will ensure a high likelyhood of you discovering about a pop song which you seem to enjoy, which is what appeals to me so much. Being able to discover new releases daily from the artists I love and adding new favourites to my playlists adds an element of surprise to music streaming, in a unique style.

3.) Music? A waste of valuable free time? These two ideas dont seem to have much coherence to me, and I definitely beg to differ from this statement. For instance, teenagers are now turning to music to help them keep focused while studying. This is especially crucial in areas which are not so conducive due to distractions from the outside world. Tuning in to our favourite music sets the mood for us to sit down for a period of productive work, and shuts out other distractions so our mind is calm. Adults who dont have a liking of listening to music frequently would perceive it to be an activity in which we engage in for enjoyment. This, is indeed false. We are able to listen to music while multitasking with other tasks, and significant research has shown that music hels us think clearer and set specific, reasonable goals to work towards. I definitely do not see it as a waste of time, but instead as a possible way for us to de-stress and find our momentum to get back on track with our tasks. However, Sir/Mam may i brng your attention to the fact that it all depends on the choice of music we listen to? There are definitely fans of loud or heavy metal music out there, but would you think such music would be good for helping us to focus? Not really. Such loud music takes our mind and soul away, and instead of being productive as we thought we should have been, we get distracted and music would now be seen as a form of entertainment. Some teenagers get so immensely engrossed with loud music to the extent in which it becomes a addiction where they wont be able to do anything else aprt from engaging in their music. This indeed takes away precious valuable time which can be spent on things in which may seem meaningless, but useful for us such as catching up on some rest so we could be more productive later on in the day.

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Shopping malls here are ‘too many, too similar’ - TODAY (todayonline.com)

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SINGAPORE - The Republic has "far too many" shopping malls that are too similar to one another, and this is unsustainable for the retail sector here, said the regional head of Al-Futtaim Group which manages brands such as Robinsons, John Little and Marks & Spencer.

The Dubai-based conglomerate, which hires more than 20,000 people across over a dozen countries, became the first major casualty of the manpower crunch in the retail sector, when it announced last week that it will close two John Little stores - in Marina Square and Tiong Bahru - and a Marks & Spencer outlet at Centrepoint in the months ahead.

Speaking to TODAY in an interview, Mr Kesri Kapur, Al-Futtaim's head of business in Asia, said: "I personally believe that Singapore is 'over-retail'. There are far too many stores, far too many malls in Singapore and not enough shoppers - and these are similar types of stores."

He added: "There is not enough differentiation in the stores. For such a small market, if it's to be viable in the longer-term and sustainable, there has to be some differentiation (among) the stores."

Al-Futtaim had said that the closures of its stores here would allow it to consolidate its resources. Mr Kapur said none of the affected employees will be laid off. Instead, they will be re-deployed to the remaining stores or given the option to take up other roles within the conglomerate.

Apart from the shortage of manpower, rising business costs here and changing consumer habits have also contributed to the company's decision to shutter the stores, Mr Kapur said. "Customers are going online as well for shopping, especially the younger ones. Consumers are also becoming more knowledgeable, they want to make decisions only after doing more research," he said.

He also noted that with more shopping malls sprouting up in the suburban areas, such as in Jurong East, Orchard Road has lost some of its allure as a major shopping belt here even as rentals continue to rise.

To better cope with the challenges in the retail scene here, the Al-Futtaim Group aims to improve its quality of service and widen its product offerings. Among other things, it plans to renovate some stores, including Robinsons Raffles City and the Marks & Spencer outlets at Paragon and Raffles City. A new Zara boutique at Changi Airport Terminal 3 will also be opened in May.

Earlier this month, Minister of State (Trade and Industry) Teo Ser Luck noted that Singapore lags behind the likes of South Korea, China and Japan when it comes to e-commerce, and said the Government has taken steps to give retailers a stronger push in this area.

Mr Kapur said his company is venturing into e-commerce, and by the end of this year, consumers could have the option of buying goods online from its stores . "It's not just a cost cutting exercise for us. Operational efficiency and customer engagement are important, but customer engagement happens when they see something new either in terms of distribution channel or the type of products that we're selling... it's our intention to make (it) as convenient as possible for the consumers," he said.

TOP SHOPPING DESTINATION NO MORE?

Mr Kapur also said the Republic is losing its lustre as the region's top shopping destination, with its position under threat from other Southeast Asian cities whose population and spending power are growing faster.

As a result, many major brands that used to be based here only have also set up shop in places such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, he noted.

"In the past, availability of brands, flagship stores and products were more concentrated in Singapore. Now, if you want to access a top brand, you will be able to get it in the other areas also. There are world class malls in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta as well," Mr Kapur said.

He added that the manpower crunch and rising business costs, among other factors, have led to falling service standards - another area that Singapore is losing out to its regional competitors. Nevertheless, Mr Kapur said Singapore remains one of the better places to shop given its clean and safe environment. "It's also convenient and accessible, so Singapore still has some advantages... I believe the perception that Singapore is expensive will change in the minds of the consumers. That may be the reality when we had a stronger Singapore dollar, but now, the Singapore dollar is going down against the US dollar," he said.

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Shopping malls here are 'too many, too similar'

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SINGAPORE - The Republic has "far too many" shopping malls that are too similar to one another, and this is unsustainable for the retail sector here, said the regional head of Al-Futtaim Group which manages brands such as Robinsons, John Little and Marks & Spencer.

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An Introduction To The Busking Scene In Singapore (timeout.com)

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An Introduction To The Busking Scene In Singapore

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With a guitar in their hands, the wind in their hair and a song on their lips, talented youngsters are taking the music to the street

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Busking | National Arts Council (nac.gov.sg)

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Following the resumption of busking, a busking e-service portal was launched on 29 March 2022 for buskers to enjoy greater access to locations and slots. Prior to this, each busker was assigned five fixed locations. The busking e-service was designed with inputs from buskers who had asked for access to more locations, greater flexibility to plan their schedules and confirmed spots to busk at. Additionally, buskers can book up to six one-hour slots per day which ensures a good mix of different buskers at each location, especially the more popular and high traffic ones.

The e-service provides a one-stop portal for:

Buskers to book busking slots where they can gain access to all 70 busking locations across the island and customise their own online profiles

Venue partners to manage their busking locations and learn more about the busking community

General public to find out where busking will be taking place and support their favourite buskers and busking groups easily

When to book/ballot

The following tables illustrate the schedule for the booking and balloting of busking slots.

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Following the resumption of busking, a busking e-service portal was launched on 29 March 2022 for buskers to enjoy greater access to locations and slots. Prior to this, each busker was assigned five fixed locations. The busking e-service was designed with inputs from buskers who had asked for access to more locations, greater flexibility to plan their schedules and confirmed spots to busk at.

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Social impacts of tourism - Tourism Teacher

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Understanding the social impacts of tourism is vital to ensuring the sustainable management of the tourism industry. There are positive social impacts of tourism, demonstrating benefits to both the local community and the tourists. There are also negative social impacts of tourism.

In this article I will explain what the most common social impacts of tourism are and how these are best managed. At the end of the post I have also included a handy reading list for anybody studying travel and tourism or for those who are interested in learning more about travel and tourism management.

The social impacts of tourism

Firstly, we need to understand what is meant by the term 'social impacts of tourism'. I have covered this in my YouTube video below!

To put it simply, social impacts of tourism are;
"The effects on host communities of direct and indirect relations with tourists, and of interaction with the tourism industry"
This is also often referred to as socio-cultural impacts.

Tourism is, at its core, an interactive service. This means that host-guest interaction is inevitable. This can have significant social/socio-cultural impacts.

These social impacts can be seen as benefits or costs (good or bad). I will explain these below.

Positive social impacts of tourism

There are many social benefits of tourism, demonstrating positive social impacts. These might include; preserving the local culture and heritage; strengthening communities; provision of social services; commercialisation of culture and art; revitalisation of customs and art forms and the preservation of heritage.

Preserving Local Culture

It is the local culture that the tourists are often coming to visit.

Tourists visit Beijing to learn more about the Chinese Dynasties. Tourists visit Thailand to taste authentic Thai food. Tourists travel to Brazil to go to the Rio Carnival, to mention a few...

Many destinations will make a conserved effort to preserve and protect the local culture. This often contributes to the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, the protection of local heritage, and a renaissance of indigenous cultures, cultural arts and crafts.

In one way, this is great! Cultures are preserved and protected and globalisation is limited. BUT, I can't help but wonder if this is always natural? We don't walk around in Victorian corsets or smoke pipes anymore...

Our social settings have changed immensely over the years. And this is a normal part of evolution! So is it right that we should try to preserve the culture of an area for the purposes of tourism? Or should we let them grow and change, just as we do? Something to ponder on I guess...

Strengthening Communities

Tourism can be a catalyst for strengthening a local community.

Events and festivals of which local residents have been the primary participants and spectators are often rejuvenated and developed in response to tourist interest. I certainly felt this was the way when I went to the Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona, Spain. The community atmosphere and vibe were just fantastic!

The jobs created by tourism can also be a great boost for the local community. Aside from the economic impacts created by enhanced employment prospects, people with jobs are happier and more social than those without a disposable income.

Local people can also increase their influence on tourism development, as well as improve their job and earnings prospects, through tourism-related professional training and development of business and organisational skills.

Provision of Social Services

The tourism industry requires many facilities/ infrastructure to meet the needs of the tourist. This often means that many developments in an area as a result of tourism will be available for use by the locals also.

Local people often gained new roads, new sewage systems, new playgrounds, bus services etc as a result of tourism. This can provide a great boost to their quality of life and is a great example of a positive social impact of tourism.

Commercialisation of Culture and Art

Tourism can see rise to many commercial business, which can be a positive social impact of tourism. This helps to enhance the community spirit as people tend to have more disposable income as a result.

These businesses may also promote the local cultures and arts. Museums, shows and galleries are fantastic way to showcase the local customs and traditions of a destination. This can help to promote/ preserve local traditions.

Revitalisation of Culture and Art

Some destinations will encourage local cultures and arts to be revitalised. This may be in the form of museum exhibitions, in the way that restaurants and shops are decorated and in the entertainment on offer, for example.

This may help promote traditions that may have become distant.

Preservation of Heritage

Many tourists will visit the destination especially to see its local heritage. It is for this reason that many destinations will make every effort to preserve its heritage.

This could include putting restrictions in place or limiting tourist numbers, if necessary. This is often an example of careful tourism planning and sustainable tourism management.

This text by Hyung You Park explains the principles of heritage tourism in more detail.

Negativesocial impacts of tourism

Unfortunately, there are a large number of socio-cultural costs on the host communities. These negative social impacts include; social change; changing values; increased crime and gambling; changes in moral behaviour; changes in family structure and roles; problems with the tourist-host relationship and the destruction of heritage.

Social Change

Social change is basically referring to changes in the way that society acts or behaves. Unfortunately, there are many changes that come about as a result of tourism that are not desirable.

There are many examples throughout the world where local populations have changed because of tourism.

Perhaps they have changed the way that they speak or the way that they dress. Perhaps they have been introduced to alcohol through the tourism industry or they have become resentful of rich tourists and turned to crime. These are just a few examples of the negative social impacts of tourism.

Globalisation and the Destruction of Preservation and Heritage

Globalisation is the way in which the world is becoming increasingly connected. We are losing our individuality and gaining a sense of 'global being', whereby we are more and more alike than ever before.

Globalisation is inevitable in the tourism industry because of the interaction between tourists and hosts, which typically come from different geographic and cultural backgrounds. It is this interaction that encourage us to become more alike.

Here are some examples:

1. When I went on the Jungle Book tour on my travels through Goa, the tourists were giving the Goan children who lived in the area sweets. These children would never have eaten such sweets should they not have come into contact with the tourists.

2. When I travelled to The Gambia I met a local worker (known as a 'bumster') who was wearing a Manchester United football top. When I asked him about it he told me that he was given the top by a tourist who visited last year. If it was not for said tourist, he would not have this top.

3. In Thailand, many workers have exchanged their traditional work of plowing the fields to work in the cities, in the tourism industry. They have learnt to speak English and to eat Western food. If it were not for the tourists they would have a different line of work, they would not speak English and they would not choose to eat burger and chips for their dinner!

Many people believe globalisation to be a bad thing. BUT, there are also some positives. Think about this...

Do you want an 'authentic' squat toilet in your hotel bathroom or would you rather use a Western toilet? Are you happy to eat rice and curry for breakfast as the locals would do or do you want your cornflakes? Do you want to struggle to get by when you don't speak the local language or are you pleased to find somebody who speaks English?

When we travel, most tourists do want a sense of 'familiar'. And globalisation helps us to get that!

Loss of Authenticity

Along similar lines to globalisation is the loss of authenticity that often results from tourism.

Authenticity is essentially something that is original or unchanged. It is not fake or reproduced in any way.

The Western world believe that a tourist destination is no longer authentic when their cultural values and traditions change. But I would argue is this not natural? Is culture suppose to stay the same or it suppose to evolve throughout each generation?

Take a look at the likes of the long neck tribe in Thailand or the Maasai Tribe in Africa. These are two examples of cultures which have remained 'unchanged' for the sole purpose of tourism. They appear not to have changed the way that they dress, they way that they speak or the way that they act in generations, all for the purpose of tourism.

To me, however, this begs the question- is it actually authentic? In fact, is this not the exact example of what is not authentic? The rest of the world have modern electricity and iPhones, they watch TV and buy their clothes in the nearest shopping mall. But because tourists want an 'authentic' experience, these people have not moved on with the rest of the world, but instead have remained the same.

I think there is also an ethical discussion to be had here, but I'll leave that for another day...

You can learn more about what is authenticity in tourism here or see some examples of staged authenticity in this post.

Standardisation and Commercialisation

Similarly, destinations risk standardisation in the process of satisfying tourists' desires for familiar facilities and experiences.

While landscape, accommodation, food and drinks, etc., must meet the tourists' desire for the new and unfamiliar, they must at the same time not be too new or strange because few tourists are actually looking for completely new things (think again about the toilet example I have previously).

Tourists often look for recognisable facilities in an unfamiliar environment, like well-known fast-food restaurants and hotel chains. Tourist like some things to be standardised (the toilet, their breakfast, their drinks, the language spoken etc), but others to be different (dinner options, music, weather, tourist attractions etc).

Do we want everything to become 'standardised' though? I know I miss seeing the little independent shops that used to fill the high streets in the UK. Now it's all chains and multinational corporations. Sure, I like Starbucks (my mug collection is coming on quite nicely!), but I also love the way that there are no Starbucks in Italy. There's something great about trying out a traditional, yet unfamiliar coffee shop, or any independant place for that matter.

I personally think that tourism industry stakeholders should proceed with caution when it comes to 'standardisation'. Sure, give the tourists that sense of familiar that they are looking for. But don't dilute the culture and traditions of the destination that they are coming to visit, because if it feels too much like home..... well, maybe they will just stay at home next time? Just a little something to think about...

Culture clashes

On a less philosophical note, another of the negative social impacts of tourism is that it can have significant consequences is culture clashes.

Because tourism involves movement of people to different geographical locations cultural clashes can take place as a result of differences in cultures, ethnic and religious groups, values, lifestyles, languages and levels of prosperity.

The attitude of local residents towards tourism development may unfold through the stages of euphoria, where visitors are very welcome, through apathy, irritation and potentially antagonism when anti-tourist attitudes begin to grow among local people. This is represented in Doxey's Irritation Index, as shown below.

Tourist-host relationships

Culture clashes can also be exasperated by the fundamental differences in culture between the hosts and the tourists.

There is likely to be economic inequality between locals and tourists who are spending more than they usually do at home. This can cause resentment from the hosts towards the tourists, particularly when they see them wearing expensive jewellery or using plush cameras etc that they know they can't afford themselves.

Further to this, tourists often, out of ignorance or carelessness, fail to respect local customs and moral values.

Think about it. Is it right to go topless on a beach if within the local culture it is unacceptable to show even your shoulders?

There are many examples of ways that tourists offend the local population, often unintentionally. Did you know that you should never put your back to a Buddha? Or show the sole of your feet to a Thai person? Or show romantic affection in public in the Middle East?

A little education in this respect could go a long way, but unfortunately, many travellers are completely unaware of the negative social impacts that their actions may have.

Increase in crime, gambling and moral behaviour

The last of the social impacts of tourism that I will discuss is crime, gambling and moral behaviour. Crime rates typically increase with the growth and urbanisation of an area and the growth of mass tourism is often accompanied by increased crime.

The presence of a large number of tourists with a lot of money to spend and often carrying valuables such as cameras and jewellery increases the attraction for criminals and brings with it activities like robbery and drug dealing.

Although tourism is not the cause of sexual exploitation, it provides easy access to it e.g. prostitution and sex tourism. Therefore, tourism can contribute to rises in the numbers of sex workers in a given area. I have seen this myself in many places including The Gambia and Thailand.

Lastly, gambling is a common occurrence as a result of tourism. Growth of casinos and other gambling facilities can encourage not only the tourists to part with their cash, but also the local population.

Social impacts of tourism: Conclusion

As I have demonstrated in this post, there are many social impacts of tourism. Whilst some impacts are positive, most unfortunately are negative impacts.

Hopefully this post on the social impacts of tourism has helped you to think carefully about the impacts that your actions may have on the local community that you are visiting. I also hope that it has encouraged some deeper thinking with regards to issues such as globalisation, authenticity and standardisation.

If you are interested in learning more about topics such as this subscribe to my newsletter! I send out travel tips, discount coupons and some material designed to get you thinking about the wider impacts of the tourism industry (like this post)- perfect for any tourism student or keen traveller!

Social impacts of tourism- further reading

As you can see, the social impacts of tourism are an important consideration for all industry stakeholders. Do you have any comments on the social impacts of tourism? Leave your comments below.

If you enjoyed this article on the social impacts of tourism, I am sure that you will love these too-

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13 Social Impacts Of Tourism + Explanations + Examples - Tourism Teacher

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A comprehensive post ouitlining the social impacts of tourism and how to ensure sustainable tourism management. Perfect for students and travellers alike.

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8 ways Responsible Tourism benefits local communities — WTTC Travel Hub

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The money that tourists spend can be reinvested in local economies, from public services to education.
Did you know that for every $1 generated in direct Travel & Tourism GDP, more than $2 are generated on an indirect and/or induced basis Lots of jobs. Tourism is a sector that is all about people - and as such is an incredible driver of job creation from big cities to small local communities. Did you know that in 2019 the sector employed 1 in 10 people on the planet and it created 1 in 4 of all new jobs globally in the last 5 years
More creative and entrepreneurial. Did you know that 80% of the sector is composed of SMEs
Did you know that the tourism sector has almost twice as many women employers as other sectors and employs a higher share of youth than the overall economy More peaceful and more tolerant.
Tourism's positive ripple effect not only helps support local businesses but fosters entrepreneurship and new business ventures.
Did you know that countries that have more open and sustainable tourism sectors will likely enjoy higher levels of positive peace in the future Preserving heritage.
Tourism offers opportunities to people from all walks of life, supporting vulnerable groups, including minorities, youth and women among others.
Did you know that 40% of travellers identify as cultural tourists?
Tourism is a driver for peace. It helps promote tolerance between people as they learn and better understand each other's cultures.

Tourism can help protect and finance the preservation of historic and cultural sites, and even prompt the creation of new community initiatives.
Did you know that the total economic contribution of wildlife tourism amounted to $344 billion in 2018, equivalent to the entire GDP of South Africa or Hong Kong Fuelling the adoption of sustainable tech.
Preserving the wildlife we love.
Did you know that 66% of consumers are using less cash and moving toward more contactless solutions in the wake of COVID-19
Tourism can help protect and revitalise wildlife through preservation programmes against illegal poaching and creates conservation jobs

Tourism helps accelerate the integration of innovative technologies, which can facilitate your everyday activities while enhancing sustainability and creating more touchless experiences.

Written by Tiffany Misrahi, VP Policy and Ioanna Pampoulova, Membership & Commercial Assistant, World Travel & Tourism Council

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8 ways Responsible Tourism benefits local communities - WTTC Travel Hub

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The money that tourists spend can be reinvested in local economies, from public services to education. Did you know that for every $1 generated in direct Travel & Tourism GDP, more than $2 are generated on an indirect and/or induced basis Lots of jobs.

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8 Things That are Great about Living in a City (forbes.com)

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Living in a big city is an amazing experience. They are centers of civilization, each with unique and interesting features. Of course, certain benefits of city life are universal to all metropolitan centers. Here's a look at eight things that are great about living in a city :

1. Public Transportation

While public transit can be a pain (buy me dinner before you squish me into that other guy!), as a whole, it's pretty awesome. If the system in your city provides a lot of coverage, you really don't need to own a car-- that alone saves you tons of money every year.

Plus, you don't have to worry about who in your group of friends has to be the designated driver (the bus driver is!) and you can pop into other neighborhoods without running into rush hour highway traffic.

2. Dining Options are Endless

In many suburbs, your eating-out options are confined to chain restaurants and maybe a handful of mom-and-pop places, but most cities are populated with good eats. Within a few blocks of my apartment are Mexican food, pizza, Moroccan, American, and Thai restaurants. Were I to travel farther, I'd also hit a Michelin Star-awarded restaurant and tons of other cuisine-- and I can walk to all of them!

Having endless dining options means never getting bored of what you eat and always having a chance to try something new. The not-so-great part? I don't have the money to eat all of them whenever I want.

3. The Commute is Short

This one doesn't apply to everyone, but for those of us who work downtown, living in the city is essential. Traveling from the suburbs to a downtown office can take an hour or more, both ways! My commute from my apartment to my office is less than half of that.

That means I get to wake up later and take my time getting ready in the morning. What's more, because I take city public transit as opposed to a suburban train, I don't have to worry about schedule-- another train will come every seven minutes!

4. The Skyline is Stunning

If you live in a city, you may take your skyline for granted, but let me remind you how cool it is. Skyscrapers are amazing feats of engineering and a testament to humankind's progress. What's more, skylines offer an array of architectural styles, as cities certainly weren't built in a day. Why do you think so many postcards depict city skylines?

5. Social Clubs are Everywhere

Need to meet a friend or a potential romantic interest? Cities are a great place to do it! Many neighborhoods have local clubs where you can get to know like-minded people. From wine tastings at corner haunts to fitness groups, no matter your interests, you can find a social gathering where you'll connect with others while doing what you love!

Check community forums and sites like Meetup to find a group to join.

6. Entertainment Comes in a Lot of Forms

From live theater to museums to galleries to gardens and everything in between, cities are plain fun. And because they harbor diverse entertainment options, you can pay as much as you want. Locations range from totally free (parks) to pricey (multi-day concerts). You'll never be bored living in a city, and your social calendar will be full-- unless you need to relax in your PJs and watch Netflix, which is also a great form of entertainment.

7. They're Diverse

Cities are diverse in general, including in food, people, things to do-- you name it! Your neighbors likely all have interesting and unique backgrounds, and you can learn a ton by having conversations in the laundry room. My upstairs neighbor is a sheriff and he always has crazy stories to tell me.

I love living in a building where everyone is different, especially if they're willing to strike up a conversation. No two people in any city are the same.

8. They're Energetic

Cities buzz with energy . There are always people around doing something, and that can be exciting. However, some people may not like that kind of atmosphere. But for those of us who do, it makes leaving your apartment every day a joy.

Cities have tons of awesome features that make them a great place to live. What do you love about your city?

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8 Things That are Great about Living in a City

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Living in a big city is an amazing experience. They are centers of civilization, each with unique and interesting features. Of course, certain benefits of city life are universal to all metropolitan centers. Here's a look at eight things that are great about living in a city : 1.

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Why cities are not as bad for you as you think - BBC Future

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Why cities are not as bad for you as you think

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Contrary to popular belief, living in densely populated cities can offer many health benefits – even during a pandemic.

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Around 2.5 billion more people will be living in cities by 2050, projects new UN report | United Nations

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2) fast food is the most popular between my friends and i. there are many reasons why it is popular amongst us. the main reason is that it is cheap and accessible.students like us are busy hence, we tend to go for what's fast and affordable. fast food is the best option for it. not only is it in most malls, it's also the cheaper alternative to expensive restaurants.the next factor is that it is a comfort food for most of us. we grew up eating fast food which creates a sense of familiarity. the nostalgia of eating fast food makes us feel happy. so although fast food is unhealthy, it has a lot of meaning behind it that makes it very popular amongst us.(idk)

3)i do believe keeping up with traditions is important. there may be a generational gap between your grandparents and myself. however, we still managed to bond through traditions. there are many types of traditions. the first type is family traditions. my family has many traditions. this includes eating together every dinner or going overseas every year. my grandparents and i also have our set of traditions like going out together every june holidays. it is also a tradition to buy and gift gifts to our neighbours every time we go overseas. they would also do it back.although this may seem small, it means the world to me. there are also cultural and religious traditions. for my culture, chinese, we celebrate chinese new year every spring period of the chinese calendar. this tradition helps me keep in touch with my otherwise unknown side of family. religious beliefs also help me connect deeper with the unknown side of me. it also help me get closer with my parents as they are quite religious. every hungry ghost festival, i would join them to burn incense paper. traditions are important as it also creates a sense of belonging with the people of the same backgrounds. Although it's getting increasingly hard to keep up with traditions due to busier lifestyles and dilution of traditions, i still think it is important to keep up with traditions. it helps create a sense of belonging, fosters a bond with family members and it's also part of who we are.

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a)
b)

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1) I am sure she is feeling very proud, owning your own house is a huge milestone in everyone's life, she looks quite happy with how her soon to be house looks.
2)Hmm, I live close to an mrt station so it is pretty convenient for me to travel around singapore whenever i want to. I also happen to live within walking distance to a hawker centre, which serves all my favourite dishes, so I don't stay hungry often. There's a basketball court within walking distance too, which happens to be quite popular. It's always a thrill to be able to play with new people and improve on my playing. However, right next to my hdb flat, there is a new hdb flat being built. It's hard to focus when I constantly get my ears molested by the screeching, thunderous tentacles of sound from the construction site. Other than that, I'm content with the place where I live.
3)Personally, I'd rather live in one place for a long time. I see value in getting close to my neighbours as they are the nearest pillars of support that a person can have. I have lived in the same hdb flat for the entirety of my life, and ive seen people come and go. There used to be an elderly lady i always said good morning to whenever i went to eat breakfast, I still remember asking my mother why i have not seen her in a long time. She, unfortunately, had passed away. Ever since, I still get ready to wave at her even though new people have moved in.

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(a) i personally would not want to work there as it looks very warm and i feel that it will put a lot of pressure on me working in such a bustling area with so many people having demands on what they want to order and pay for them. i feel that it will be very stressful for me as i dont really have good memory so i will tend to forget stuff after awhile. when working in an environment like that, i fear that i will forget customer's orders. however, i would like to try working there for experience, not for long-term as i would like to experience how working during bustling hours is like.
(b) fast foods like Mcdonalds are most popular with my friends and i as it is very convenient and easy to find. whenever we feel like eating and we do not know what to eat, we can always just walk to the nearest mall and we will be able to find mcdonalds or other kinds of fast food. it is also affordable so for school students with limited pocket money like myself will be able to afford at least a burger at fast food restaurants if they dont have sufficient money to get a meal for themselves.
(c) i feel that keeping up with traditions is important as it will help us learn more and experience about how our parents or ancestors experienced in the past, it is also to let the future generations like our kids to understand and know more about something that has been done and carried out by our ancestors, family or the society for a long time. i feel that it is important to keep the tradition as it is something unique and it is important to the people that have been doing it before us. hence, i feel that keeping up with traditions is important.

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2) I personally enjoy taking part in team sports. Through team sports we can grow the bond between our teammates and learn to have better teamwork as well as leadership.
3) I think that people choose to volunteer in their communities because through volunteering many people have managed to

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1) they could be using the boat to sightsee attractions that are better viewed on the water or they might have paid for the boar ride for a more fufiling experience and trip
2) the singapore zoo  has many diffrent parks inside such as River wonders and night safari, our zoo has many diffrent attractions for all ages and groups. There are many species of animals from amphibians to birds and you will be able to learn intresting and useful facts about the different animals and also have more awareness on enviromental conservation and animal endangerment
3) inflation, tourism causes cost price of good and services increase, prices of host country to increase and tourists will have to suffer higher costs of living
Tourism provides locals with more job opportunities, allow them to make decisions about tourits activities and hone a skill in the service sector. 56.7% of Maldives population are involved in the tourists industry such as chefs and managers

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A few days before chinese new year, chinatown will be bustling with street stalls selling food and merchandise. My family will go to chinatown and visit the street stalls to buy snacks and chinese new year decorations.

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b)During my primary school times,i had represented my school in hockey as a goalkeeper in primary 5 and primary 6.During the time in primary 5,my team lost in the North zone hence we were unable to advance to the national.However in primary 6,we managed to climb to the top 4 place in the national hockey competition.Even though we manage to get fourth place overall,we were still unsatisfied as we could have done better.However,we did manage to set a record for being the first to win a trophy for our school in the hockey CCA,hence we feel proud about it.
3)i agree to this view as by competing with each other then they can know their weakness and to work on it.Also,in competition,people are push to their limit by their competitors which serve as some of the world records in some sport like running and swimming.

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(b) I wouldn't mind performing in the streets as I believe that overcoming the anxiety from having

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a) -
b) I remember earlier this year, during the month of April and May, I participated in the North-zone volleyball competition. It was a very memorable experience as my team and I successfully obtained champion after two years of absence from competitions due to Covid-19. However, it was also a regretful experience as I did not participate in the semi-finals and finals due to a mental breakdown that affected my performance during training. Even though I did not participate in the last two competitions, it was definitely a fulfilling experience.
c)  yes I agree with this statement. People would learn faster by competing with others.

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2)Tourists would be interested in a myriad of activities in  Singapore as Singapore has a rich history with a diverse community. the first activity tourists may be interested in is

to experience the hawker food. Singapore is well known for their food. since Singapore is a racially diverse country, there are many cuisines available. one example of a popular hawker is the golden mile hawker centre. it has multiple food choices ranging from different religions to different ethnicities. tourists can also enjoy different programmes in ethnic districts such as chinatown and little india. these programmes help tourists to appreciate the local culture while learning about the way they live.

3) tourism has its pros and cons when it comes to the impact of locals. the positive impact that tourists bring is more economic benefits. economic benefits include more job opportunities. job demands increase due to the need to accommodate tourists.the unskilled population can get a job in the service sector as these skills are easily acquired. However , economies may crash because of inflation of goods and services. prices of goods and services are through the roof as they are mainly targeted at foreign visitors. locals have to get goods and services at the same price. locals living in countries that are overly reliant on tourism as a main source of income , such as macau, will be heavily affected by this. hence, people cut back on spending which will eventually cause a recession and cost of living will continue to rise. socio-cultural is another impact of tourism. due to the introduction of service learning and community based tourism, the living conditions in less developed areas can be improved. with better infrastructure ,  more tourists will likely visit. this helps less developed countries get a boost to overcome their poverty and make them more independent.

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a) dddd

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b) Personally, I feel that it depends on the job. Right now, having a job would not be the best thing to fit in a students' packed schedule as his/her priority is to focus on studies.

However, if its the holiday period, and i would like to kill some time and also have a side hustle to earn some pocket money, then i would have a job.

There are many jobs in the mall, varying from cleaners to waiters, from cashiers to promoters.  I would have a job if it offers flexible job hours, or

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(b) one thing I like about public transport is that it is a less stressful journey as someone else is driving. While you're on public transport, you can take a quick nap or browse through your phone. It is also cheaper than owning and operating a car.
one thing i dislike about public transport is that it comes at scheduled timings. If you miss a bus or a train, you would need to wait for a few minutes which could be really annoying if you're in a rush. During peak hours, there are many people so the bus stops get very crowded. There were so many times when I missed my bus as there were pedestrians walking slowly in front of me and I couldn't walk around them as there were people beside them as well. I felt like I was blocked by a mountain as I helplessly watched my bus drive away. I had to wait 10 minutes for the next bus and I was almost late to school. I would not want to be met with that situation again so I tried waking up earlier to get to the bus stop earlier but doing that is hard.

(c) I agree with this as I personally feel that the transportation sector contributes the most to global warming. By reducing the amount of vehicles on our roads, we can effectively reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced, hence slowing down the process of global warming, which will help our environment.

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a)i do not know what the video is but i would be annoyed if i had to stand in a queue for prolonged periods of time, watching people go into the form of transport i wish to take as i stand in the queue as time passes slowly. it would be infuriating. if the queue was short, i would be pleased as the transport system is quick and fast, and allows me to go to where i would like if i do not have a car

b) i do not like travelling in public transports as i prefer travelling in my father's car, as i do not have to waste time waiting for people to get off on their respective stops. when i am in my dad's car, i can save much more time travelling. i also dont do well with large groups of people, sometimes i would get anxiety attacks if i am cramped up in a small space ie the bus or train during peak periods

c) although i do not enjoy taking public transport, i agree to the view as i feel like public transports can reduce the carbon emmisions that are emitted by the cars instead, so we can reduce the chances of the earth overheating from global warming and imploding into a ball of fire, inevitably killing us all

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Theme: Sports, Teamwork & Volunteering
Video: A team pulling on the rope during a tug-of-war competition. Loud cheers can be heard in the audio.

1. What do you think the people in the video might be feeling about the activity?
2. Do you like taking part in team sports? Why, or why not?
3. Why do you think people choose to volunteer in their communities?

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Theme: Food + Traditions
Video: A man selling some kind of local baked goods along a busy street in an Eastern European country.

1. Would you like to work at a stall like the one in the video?
2. What kind of food is most popular with you and your friends, and why?
3. Some people think that keeping up traditions is important. What is your opinion?

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Theme: Lifestyle
Video: someone making finishing touches when decorating the new place she is moving into
1. How do you think this person is feeling about moving to a new place to live?
2. What do you think is good or badabout the area you live in? Why?
3. Is it better to live in one place for a long time or in several different places? Why?

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Theme: Music
Video: A group of drummers busking along Orchard Road
1. Would you like to play the drums like the people in the video? Why, or why not?
2. What type of music do you and your friends enjoy, and why?
3. Some people say that listening to music is a waste of valuable free time. What is your opinion?

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Theme: Lifestyle
Video: crowds of people using the busiest traffic crossing in the world in Tokyo, Japan
1. How do you think the driver of the car at the end of the video is feeling?
2. Tell me about a time when you were part of a big crowd or in a very crowded place.
3. What do you think are the main advantages & disadvantages of living in cities?

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Video: people on a boat
1. Why do you think the people in the video are on the boat?
2. Tell me about some other activities which would interest tourists in your city.
3. How does tourism affect the lives of local people?

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(b) Tell me about a funfair or theme park you have been to, or would like to visit.

I'm pretty sure everyone can answer this

(c) You don't have to spend money to have a good time. What is your opinion?

I have a mixed opinion about this.

Yes indeed money does not usually buy happiness because sometimes we can find happiness in other ways without spending money just by spending time with the people we love. Simple things like bonding over a game or movie certainly does not require one to spend a lot of money but the endless laughter shared together will definitely guarantee having a good time.

However at times money can also buy happiness because spending it