- Joined
- Jan 27, 2016
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Born to a well-off family, he made a bad choice that led down a path of regrets. Now every day is a struggle to climb back out of his destitute state - if only the past didn’t get in the way.
SINGAPORE: The first time I meet Ben and we shake hands, I am immediately assailed by the scent of cologne. Over lunch, the intense fragrance almost overpowers the aroma of roasted coffee beans.
“Actually,” he says casually as he twirls his straw, “I haven’t bathed for a week.”
Oh, I think, as I give him my best unfazed nod and an “I see”.
He peers at me for a good three seconds, then breaks into a huge smile. “Wah, your poker face is damn good. Usually people will be grossed out.
“But I’m joking lah. I did shower,” he adds gleefully. “You actually believed that?”
One might easily have. Ben - not his real name, of course - has been talking about his experiences as a destitute younger Singaporean. One who’s been sleeping in public places for these last eight years. Not that you would think “homeless” just looking at him.
Neatly groomed, looking younger than his 35 years, and togged out in a black Adidas polo shirt, he tells us how he wanders into the department stores to use the cologne testers when the staff are distracted.
“Not bad right, you get to try a different brand everyday,” he jokes. “You wouldn’t want to smell or look like a stray dog, right?”
More at
He's 35 and homeless: Eight years of destitute living
SINGAPORE: The first time I meet Ben and we shake hands, I am immediately assailed by the scent of cologne. Over lunch, the intense fragrance almost overpowers the aroma of roasted coffee beans.
“Actually,” he says casually as he twirls his straw, “I haven’t bathed for a week.”
Oh, I think, as I give him my best unfazed nod and an “I see”.
He peers at me for a good three seconds, then breaks into a huge smile. “Wah, your poker face is damn good. Usually people will be grossed out.
“But I’m joking lah. I did shower,” he adds gleefully. “You actually believed that?”
One might easily have. Ben - not his real name, of course - has been talking about his experiences as a destitute younger Singaporean. One who’s been sleeping in public places for these last eight years. Not that you would think “homeless” just looking at him.
Neatly groomed, looking younger than his 35 years, and togged out in a black Adidas polo shirt, he tells us how he wanders into the department stores to use the cologne testers when the staff are distracted.
“Not bad right, you get to try a different brand everyday,” he jokes. “You wouldn’t want to smell or look like a stray dog, right?”
More at
He's 35 and homeless: Eight years of destitute living
