Some thoughts
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The French verb "choper" (to grab) has, in some contexts, almost the same meaning as the Singlish verb "chope" (to reserve). For example, "il faut choper tes horaires préferées dans le planning pour la semaine prochaine" and "you must chope your preferred hours in the schedule for next week".
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The French proverb "Faute des grives, on mange des sardes" (If there are no thrushes, we eat sardines) is an expression used where one does not have exactly what is desired, but where there is an adequate and satisfactory substitute (thrushes being a bit of a delicacy in the south of France). There is no similar English proverb that comes to mind. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is not quite the same, because it speaks of making the best of a "sour" or unpleasant situation, whereas the French proverb emphasises the adequacy of sardines.
However, the Hokkien saying "bo he hay ah ho" (没有鱼，虾也好, or if there is no fish, shrimp is just as good) perfectly mirrors the French expression. Perhaps the concept of accepting whatever is available, and using food to describe the concept, comes more naturally to cultures that up until quite recently fished and hunted their own food. I have in mind the Midi of France and Fujian.
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"Dockless bike sharing", which is actually bike rental, is ridiculous in its current form. The costs of the business weigh upon the public, while the profits are private. Public spaces (void decks, MRT stations, footpaths, parks) are clogged with the bicycles. LTA has had to set up and provide for more parking spaces for bicycles, due in no small part to these new bicycles, at the expense of the taxpayer. The police, again at the expense of the taxpayer, bears the burden of investigating and punishing vandals and thieves.
Would it be acceptable for H&M or Uniqlo, in saving rent and manpower costs, to place racks of their clothes at MRT stations, allow customers to check out clothes on their own, and then depend on the police to prevent theft? Use of public space by anyone other than members of the public passing through must be paid for, especially if it is use for private profit.
