(PLEASE READ THE MY HOME SECTION REALLY CAREFULLY IF I AM HOSTING YOU!)

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ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

WANT ME TO HOST YOU? READ MY RULES. LIKE DON'T SKIM IT. READ IT. IF YOU DON'T READ THE RULES, I'M NOT HOSTING YOU. SIMPLE AS THAT.

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

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PEOPLE! IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO HOST YOU, UPDATE YOUR PROFILE! NOTHING THAT MAKES IT EASIER TO REJECT SOMEONE BESIDES AN EMPTY PROFILE! THINK OF THE LOGIC, WHY SHOULD I HOST YOU IF I DO NOT KNOW A SINGLE THING ABOUT YOU?

IF YOU WANT ME TO HOST YOU, DON'T ASK, SEND ME A CS REQUEST. OTHERWISE, I HAVE DIFFICULTY KEEPING TRACK. AND PLEASE SEND ME A REQUEST VIA COUCHSURFING, MY OTHER CONTACTS ARE FOR CONTACT PURPOSES, DON'T SEND A COUCHREQUEST THERE.

NOTE: SHOULD YOU LIKE ME TO HOST YOU OR MEET UP, PLEASE INDICATE YOUR ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DATES. THIS PROCESS WILL MAKE IT EASY FOR ME. THANK YOU.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I'VE BEEN INUNDATED WITH WORK, INCLUDING WORKING ON WEEKENDS. SO I HAVEN'T BEEN CHECKING COUCHSURFING FOR SOME TIME AND WILL RESPOND WHEN I HAVE FREE TIME. IF YOU SEND A REQUEST, IT MAY BE A SHOT IN THE DARK FOR YOU, FYI, BUT I WILL DO MY BEST TO RESPOND. OTHERWISE, JUST MESSAGE ME ON MY WHATSAPP/FACEBOOK (YES I KNOW I MENTIONED NOT SENDING COUCHREQUEST ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA/CONTACT BUT GO AHEAD IF I DIDN'T RESPOND)

I clean the bedroom everytime a couchsurfer leaves, to prepare for the next one. Check my calender below. I don't host one after another because I want to provide a clean bed for the next surfer.

Due to the amount of requests I had received, I am not able to accommodate some of you nice folks. But, if you could keep in contact with me, and ever come back to Singapore, I can assure you that you have a place to stay!

UPDATE: Due to overwhelming requests with many surfers requests, I can only choose 1 group at 1 time. Sorry if I can't host you, at the moment.

DO NOT SEND A REQUEST TO ME MONTHS IN ADVANCE. I MAY BE TRAVELING MYSELF.

If I am too busy, I would prefer not to host, than to host you, have no time to bring you around or interact with you. It just defeats the purpose, since we don't get to know each other. Sorry, but I prioritize having an actual human connection.

Also, I may choose to not host anyone If I need a break from hosting people.

PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT ON MY OTHER PERSONAL PROFILES OUTSIDE OF COUCHSURFING. LIKE A PHOTO I UPLOADED AND THEN GO 'HEY CAN YOU READ YOUR MESSAGE?'
EITHER DO IT HERE, OR VIA MY EMAIL.

HOSTING SLOTS AND DATES CURRENTLY TAKEN:
(LIST UPDATES EVERY SUNDAY)
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DUE TO CORONAVIRUS, I'M STOPPING FOR THE TIME BEING BECAUSE MY MUM IS WORRIED.
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DO TAKE NOTE, ONCE DATES ARE POSTED, I MAY NOT HOST ANY ADDITIONAL GROUPS ON THE DATES. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Why do you have so many house rules?
A: Well it's not really mine, mostly my mum's She's anal about cleanliness and being tidy, don't worry, she's very diplomatic, she nags at everyone, my brother, my father and I included. I personally don't care so much about the rules, but I'm used to them. Most rules are a result of past CS experiences.

Q:How do you host so many people?
A: I don't, I host about 1 set (a couple, single traveller, family etc.) at a time, usually once a week and with some time in between to rest. Plus I need to work when I'm not travelling, hosting drains quite a bit of energy and prevents me from working If I'm out with my surfers.

Q: Why don't you host me?
A: Either your profile is too empty, no references, didn't put enough effort or just plain rude. I rather not get my ass bitten and have a shit time for me and my family. EIther try again or look for someone else. You're a guest in someone's home, and more importantly, a stranger. You gotta win their trust.

Q: Why is it so hard to find hosts in Singapore?
A: We're tiny, and most locals live with their families until they get married. Asian families here are mostly conservative, locals are just much more individualistic, so don't be surprised if we seem to reject people staying.
CURRENT MISSION

Making great food, Meeting great friends, and showing the local culture and food to new people! And making sure all my guest had a great time here in Singapore! I will make every effort, as your host, to make sure you had THE BEST TIME and EXPERIENCE HERE, IN SINGAPORE!!!

ABOUT ME

Hello! I'm Shian Bang, but you can just call me 'Bang', since it's easier for people to say, and I prefer it more. I'm 29 years old and currently a photographer.

I studied culinary arts before going into the army and worked as a commis. I've always loved cooking and creating new dishes. Food itself is a language, you are able to understand different cultures and tastebuds through the different foods that you try. Even if you don't speak the language, everyone appreciates a good meal.

I am formerly the Professional photographer for the army, involved with camp's activities, exercises, change of commands and parades. I had helped with the camp's family day and outdoor activities that the camp is involved in.

Having been back from 6 months in Europe and 3 months in Asia, I had worked in a photo studio as a photo assistant. The work we do is mainly commercial, ranging from corporate portraits to food, products, lifestyle and more! Its really interesting since its never the same work! I have also been doing my own series of portrait photography during my own free time! And being a food stylist during food shoots, a really fun process since I get to play and taste all sorts of different foods!

My main areas of expertise are portraits, landscapes, pets, food, weddings, commercial and automobiles. Right now, I had turned the couchsurfing room into an office as well as a photo studio, but you will be given enough space to sleep. Should you like a portrait for you and your friends either as a casual photo or for your resume, I will be happy to provide it at no extra cost. I restore old B and W photos if and when I have the time.

Also, I'm working as a cook at a Bistro/fine dining/cafe to supplement my income and free time. So I usually work from afternoon to evening, usually 2pm to 10pm. Both weekdays and weekends. So if you wanna hang out with me, its either in the morning or early afternoon, or late in the evening.

Unfortunately, over the past several years, I've been noticing a decline in this community, and the surfers eagerness to engage and leave a lasting impression on hosts. I hope this changes, but I have doubts after the previous surfers becoming less and less engaging to hosts.

My portfolio and works can be viewed at:
https://www.instagram.com/bangbing_b8/?hl=en

I am both Singaporean and Taiwanese, my Mum was from Taiwan, and my Dad is Singaporean, but I am born and raised here, in sunny(maybe a bit too sunny and humid) Singapore!

My mother is a teacher at home, and she teaches children in groups, from the age group of 5 to 12, abacus. You'll be pretty amazed at how fast some kids could solve some of the Maths question! My dad was a photojournalist for the newspaper in Singapore, with over 30 years of experience, and has covered many big events throughout Singapore, the region, and the world.

I previously studied at Shatec, a culinary and hotel institute. Worked for some pretty amazing chefs and tried some pretty awesome food as well! So you will know, that my passion is for food. I've worked in hotel and restaurants as well before I started serving my time in the Singapore Army.

I am a rather huge film geek, and I watch all sorts of movies. I loved reading as well, and photography (thanks to my dad). History is also one of my big interest areas, it is always cool to see what had been left behind, and know about life in the past.

I also love to meet people, so I'm hoping to meet more people and understand and learn about new cultures. I've joined couchsurfing to meet new friends, and having hosted for my first time in 2014, it was a great experience, and I look forward to many more great experiences. Hope to see you soon!

My home is also really close to the airport. (30 mins by the train, 15 mins by the bus, and about 5 - 10 mins by the taxi) So if you stay with me, you have plenty of time to prepare, and you won't have to worry about missing your flight. My place is also quite convenient to travel to the city, the subway/train will take about 30-45 mins to reach the city from my location.

I also recommend that you download the local version of uber, called grabtaxi.

I will try to reply back in a day, but it may take longer as I have a ton of messages to reply to!

And can't decide what to do in Singapore during your time here? Here, have a video from Anthony Bourdain's The Layover. Really useful! It basically sums up places you can go in a layover(24-48 hours) so its jam pack with really useful information that will help you when you are travelling here!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xo2ian

PHILOSOPHY

I think that friends are probably the most important people in life, and they're the second family. Meeting people and learning culture is one of the most important things in life to me, and one of the few things which I feel are overlooked.

As a person, you never graduate, you never stop learning.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I joined because I wanted to be able to meet new people, learn new cultures and language! What better way to meet new friends, to host them and feed them with the awesome food that we have here in Singapore!

Well, I often host, as had been hosting couchsurfers since Q3 of 2014, and hasn't stopped since. Each time a couchsurfer leave, I'll be ready for the next one, so my schedule is often really packed. Even If I am not hosting, I am meeting couchsurfers during my free time.

Couchsurfing has allowed me to learn so much about both culture and people from all over the world that I otherwise wouldn't be able to learn from a textbook. It opens your world up, or in this case, my world to so much more information, and friendships which I am extremely happy to be able to be a part of. It changes your perspective on how you see the world in so many ways, which I am glad this website is able to offer.

That said, I've had my share of bad experiences, when hosting people who want to couchsurf at my place. Couchsurfing is a community based around trust, respect, and giving back, which I've seen a fair share of people, who simply just want to exploit the good community of couchsurfing, and see it as simply a place to stay. If your intention is simply to look for a free place to stay, or someone to be a tour guide for you, please book a hostel or hotel and a travel package. But if your intention is to learn the local culture, food, people and understanding, then, meet or stay with a couchsurfing host.

And assuming you had read my profile with the intention of being hosted, think of it like applying for a job interview (I know its not the same, I'm just providing an example) If you really want something, you got to put in the effort. The easiest way to get declined is to create a CS request with barely any information about yourself. Be upfront, tell the host your intention to stay with him or her, why him or her, and what you can bring to him or her (It doesn't always have to be gifts, but in the form of engagement) Its very obvious to see through a copy and paste request.

Its simple, you're nice to me, I'm nice to you back. It doesn't matter who or what you are, and you're gonna enjoy the same treatment as everyone else I've met and hosted.

I just ask for mutual understanding and respect for my family. I'm here to make friends, not enemies.

Interests

Cooking, Cycling, jogging, badminton, swimming, reading, writing, watching movies, photography and eating food!

Okay, the above are just some basic interests. When I am either not hosting or meeting up with anyone from couchsurfing, I tend to keep myself occupied with cooking or baking a new dish, reading up on current affairs around the world, or reading up on history etc. I also read books as well, but I tend to either read about food, photography, or biographies.

I also tend to go out around the city to look for spots for photography. We don't have as much sceneries as countries around, so you have to be quite creative sometimes. But it's a great city for street photography and architecture photography. Not so much for outdoors during the day, since the natural lighting in Singapore is really harsh.

Otherwise, I will be either doing any sports related activity, be it swimming, jogging and cycling or watching movies, either at home or in the cinema.

Well, basically, I try to keep myself occupied. I get bored easily if I am not doing something, hence I am often quite busy, but I enjoy keeping myself occupied. :)

• photography
• cooking
• cycling
• swimming
• eating
• jogging

Music, Movies, and Books

Here are some of the movies I've seen:

Chef
The Shawshank redemption
The green mile
Life is beautiful
Never let me go
Good morning Vietnam
The departed
Wolf of Wallstreet
Letters from Iwo Jima
Grand Budapest hotel
Forrest Gump
Indiana Jones
Her
Pitch Perfect
Ratatouille
Up
The Iron Giant
When Harry met sally
Hugo
the King's speech
Amelie Poulain
Leviathan
Tangerines
12 years a slave
Airplane
Back to the future
Bad words
Birdman
Departures
End of watch
Gran Torino
Harry Brown
Heat
In Bruges
Jersey Boys
Moon
Nightcrawler
The bank job
The aviator
The breakfast club
The hundred foot journey
the intouchables
Warrior
Goodfellas
Jiro dreams of sushi
Whiplash

(I've seen alot more movies, but these are some of my favourite movies, so if you haven't seen any of them, I highly recommend you watch them!)

TV series I watch:

Sherlock holmes, The pacific, Band of brothers, Top gear, Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker's screenwipe, stranger things, narcos

(I tend to skip long series because I really dislike having to constantly keep up with shows, so most of the above are miniseries. I watch more documentaries though)

Books I've read:

Life, on the line, The devil in the kitchen, Kitchen confidential, Harry potter series, The curious case of the dog in the nighttime.

(I enjoy reading Biographies as well as fiction books)

Music I listen to:

Pharrell Williams,
Parov Stelar,
Daft Punk,
A-ha,
Abba,
Aerosmith,
AC/DC, Temples,
Alizee,
The beach boys,
The Bee Gees,
Bon Jovi,
Boston,
Caravan Palace,
Coldplay,
Creedence Clearwater,
DIIV,
Eagles,
Europe,
Frank Sinatra,
Frankie Valli, & The Four Seasons,
The Jackson 5,
Jimi Hendrix,
John Legend,
Kool & the gang,
Lenka,
Lily Allen,
Mike Oldfield,
Of Monsters and Men,
Paul McCartney,
Phil Collins,
Pink Floyd,
The Police,
Queen, Red Hot Chili Peppers,
Robbie Williams,
The Rolling Stones,
She & Him, Thirteen Senses,
The Village People,
Wild Nothing,
the Beatles,
Mumford and sons,
Sigur ros,
David Bowie,
Michael Buble,
Philip glass,
Arcade fire,
Kygo, Keane,
Beach Fossils,
Felt,
Real Estate,
Girls Names,
Belle and sebastian,
Tupac,
Hans zimmer,
Horsebeach,
Cut copy,
Foster the people,
Maroon 5,
Chuck Berry,
Ink Spots,

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Been to the beaches of Normandy, France. notably the Omaha beach and the American war cemetery.
Went to the castle Le Mont St Michel in Normandy!
Went to lake district in Windermere, UK
Went to the Scottish highlands
Backpacked 6 months through Europe, from December to May. Had the opportunity to see the most amazing Northern Lights, meet the most incredible and hospitable people.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've been to Culinary School, and have worked in restaurants and hotel before, so I loved to cook, and I can teach you as well! But, I'll love to learn other cuisines as well, so if you love to cook, I'll love to learn from you as well!

My Dad is a trained in chinese Martial Arts, also known as Wushu, and he's been to many competitions, both local and international. He can teach you some moves if you're interested.

Oh! He's also a Professional Photographer, so with over 30 years of experience covering news stories, he definitely can teach you a good few things about photography.

I am proficient with photography, having spent 4 years in the military as a photographer, I know quite a bit about photography, and will be willing to teach you. And if you like a portrait, I can always make one for you!

My mother teaches Abacus at home, and she's teaching over a hundred kids on that subject, with over 20 years of experience. So if you want to know how she teach some of the kids here at home, she'll be happy to teach you!

What I Can Share with Hosts

If I am your host, I will do whatever it takes to make sure that your time here, with me, will be an awesome one. If I am unable to host you, I will still love to meet up with you, and I will do my best to bring you to some of the best places around Singapore! Whatever the case, I want to make sure that I can provide you with a amazing time here, in Singapore! :)

And as your host, it will be my duty, to feed you with the amazing food that this country has to offer! And having lived here for my whole life, I definitely have some experiences and inside knowledge that not many will know about, and I definitely will share them with you, if you would like to couchsurf at my place!!! What's overrated, what's underrated, the lesser known places you should visit, and many more!

When you do stay with me, I will make it an effort to be your tour guide. Hooray! What else is better than a free guide!? I enjoy bringing people around to see all the sights Singapore has to offer!

And the awesome thing is, you'll be living with my family, and they'll be more than happy to meet you!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Singapore