Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PERHAPS NICK Leeson took the British Airways Travelguide to Singapore when he first went East. It was just the accessory for Eighties yuppies: the 10-page guide was perforated for personal organisers. "Singapore is the banking centre of South East Asia," it promises, "with 100 commercial banks operating 296 banking offices." Plenty of prospects there, then. In 1989, the long haul to Singapore had just got shorter, with the introduction of advanced Boeing 747-400 aircraft that could reliably cover the distance between the UK and the island.
BA's travelguide was part of a series aimed at guiding visitors through the intricacies of abroad: "Most taxi drivers understand English even if they do not speak it... If you are charged more than indicated on the meter, take the driver's number and report him to the Tourist Promotion Board." In my experience, taxi drivers in Singapore are still prone to rounding down the fare to the nearest dollar.
A decade on, some of the advice looks positively archaic: "Telegram rates to UK: 80c-$1.60 per word, depending on urgency." An e-mail these days is virtually free. The "Further Reading" suggestions are barely rivetting: one is Hints to Exporters: Singapore, published by the British Overseas Trade Board. At least British Airways tried; the series has now gone by the wayside.
Simon Calder
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments