A Singaporean woman reflects on her relationship after seeing friends' posts about their boyfriends driving, leading her to doubt her own partner's lack of a car.
Singapore, Singapore Jul 25, 2026 ALN: A Singaporean woman has admitted that she has started questioning her relationship after seeing countless social media posts of her friends being driven around by their boyfriends.
Posting on Reddit’s ‘Ask Singapore’ forum, the woman, who is in her late 20s, shared that her boyfriend does not own a car, something that genuinely never mattered to her when they first got together. The dynamics of relationships can often be influenced by societal norms and expectations, particularly in urban environments like Singapore, where car ownership is often seen as a status symbol.
“Having a car or no car was not important to me when I first met him. He also doesn’t earn much as well as a degree grad. I myself as a diploma grad earn slightly less compared to him,” she wrote. This admission highlights a significant aspect of modern relationships: the growing influence of material possessions and societal expectations on personal happiness.
For the longest time, she said she was happy and perfectly content. However, the relentless stream of social media posts from friends and colleagues showcasing their boyfriends behind the wheel began to plant seeds of doubt in her mind. This phenomenon is not uncommon; social media often presents an idealized version of life, which can lead individuals to compare their own experiences unfavorably against those curated snapshots of others' lives.
Whether it was short Instagram reels of road trips, late-night drives, or the simple act of being picked up after work, she found herself wondering why something she had never cared about was suddenly bothering her. This raises questions about the impact of social media on self-perception and relationship satisfaction.
“They like to post a video or short reel of their boyfriend driving them. Before y’all say anything, yes I do know comparison kills happiness. But somehow after seeing all these on social media, I am not sure how I feel now and why I feel this way.” This statement reflects a common struggle many face in the digital age: the cognitive dissonance between one's own values and the values reflected in the media consumed daily.
“I did not have such a feeling before about whether my boyfriend drives or not; I was truly happy, but now I am not so sure.” Here, the woman expresses a profound shift in her emotional state, indicating that external influences have caused her to reevaluate her relationship based on arbitrary standards.
She added that even if her boyfriend could afford a car, he probably would not be driving anyway. After being together for the past one and a half years, she has come to believe that driving simply is not one of his strengths. According to her, he is “the clumsy type and not sharp in reactions,” leading her to feel it would be unsafe for him to learn to drive. This perspective introduces an important dimension to the discussion: the idea that practical considerations, such as safety and personal capabilities, should take precedence over societal expectations.
Seeking perspectives, she asked fellow Singaporeans: “Is it true that SG girls would mostly choose a guy with a car as their dating partner?” This question taps into a broader cultural conversation about dating norms in Singapore and how material possessions can influence romantic choices.
Dozens of Reddit users weighed in after the post was published, and many felt the woman was letting social media get into her head. Several commenters pointed out that if a few Instagram reels were enough to make her question an otherwise happy relationship, then the issue was bigger than whether her boyfriend owned a car. This sentiment underscores the importance of self-reflection and the need to critically assess the influences that shape our perceptions of happiness and fulfillment.
“This simply means you don’t love him as much as you think,” one commenter suggested, highlighting the notion that true love should transcend material concerns. Another user remarked, “If my partner feels that owning a car is [an] important status, then I will ask her to marry the car instead. I do own a car and bike, but I see it as a transportation tool. I’m perfectly fine with taking public transport.” This perspective emphasizes the idea that relationships should be built on deeper values rather than superficial markers of success.
A third commenter added, “First, it starts with a car; further down the road it’s going to be the house, the holidays, and the hobbies they can afford. If you aspire to keep up with the Joneses, go study and work harder to afford it or do your boyfriend a favour and break it off to look for someone richer that you can flex on social media.” This statement points to the slippery slope of materialism in relationships, suggesting that such comparisons can lead to dissatisfaction in various aspects of life.
Meanwhile, a few others gently reminded her that while owning a car is nice to have, it’s hardly a necessity in Singapore. One user explained, “Having a car is more convenient and offers privacy, especially if you have a family, eg, kids and elderly, but it’s not a must-have; there are far less Singaporean car owners than you’d imagine. Once you’ve settled down, you can be the driver, and he can share the cost of maintaining the car.” This comment highlights the practicality of public transportation in Singapore, where an efficient and extensive public transport system makes car ownership less critical for many residents.
“People only show the best part of their lives on social media, and the worst parts exposed by others; there are boyfriends and husbands who are unfaithful to their partners even if they own a car.” This reminder serves as a sobering reflection on the curated nature of social media, where the highlight reels of others can create unrealistic expectations and pressures.
In other news, conversations regarding the ‘Maintenance of Parents Act’ have re-emerged online, following a frustrated son’s post on Reddit where he expressed his reluctance to “care for” or “support” his 50-year-old father, who reportedly never provided any form of support to the family. This incident further illustrates the complexities of familial relationships and societal expectations, prompting discussions about responsibility and the nature of support within families.
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