Beauty is big business in Singapore, where looking good is something of a national obsession.Turn any corner in this wealthy, tiny island and you're likely to find a spa, a slimming or manicure parlour, a hair salon or a waxing joint -- or all five next to each other.

　　美容业在新加坡十分兴盛，因为拥有美丽的外表似乎成了这里所有人追求的目标。走到这个富裕小国的任何角落，你都会发现诸如水疗、减肥、美甲、美发或脱毛等各种美容场所，有的地方的美容店更是一家挨着一家开。

　　The emphasis on vitality is prevalent in many countries across Asia, but it appears to be most pressing in Singapore."Focussing on the body and looking good is very prominent in Singapore for men and women," Saroja Dorairajoo, sociology professor at the National University of Singapore, told Reuters."This is a society that depends on people skills more than any other, so it's not only what you have but how you present it, and the emphasis on that is quite amazing."

　　据路透社1月17日报道，美容场所聚众的现象在亚洲国家很常见，但在新加坡尤为严重。新加坡国力大学一位社会学教授表示："新加坡的男人和女人都很注重个人的身材和样貌。新加坡是一个看重个人能力胜过一切的国家，但一个人不能光要能力，还要有展现能力的方式，而外貌的出众恰好能对此有所帮助。"

　　There are no official figures on the number of beauty outlets in this country of 4.4 million people, but a quick glance through the telephone directory yields at least 3,000 listings.

　　这个有440万人口的国家究竟有多少家美容院目前还不得而知，因为没有官方统计的数据供参考，但仅仅在新加坡电话录上登记过的美容院就至少有3000家。

　　Manicure counters are a familiar sight in Singapore's ubiquitous shopping malls, which also boast at least one beauty salon each. On weekends, some nail "technicians" can be seen filing, polishing and pounding the hands and feet of customers on the sidewalks of Orchard Road, the city's main shopping street.

　　美甲店和美容院在新加坡的各大商场中随处可见。每逢周末，大城市的购物街上到处都是所谓的"美甲师"在路边为顾客美化手指甲或脚指甲。

　　And it is not a female-only realm, as evident by the numbers of men who sign into online beauty portal www.flowerpod.com.sg and the scores of male spa and salon customers.

　　在新加坡，美容院不仅是女性光顾的地方，许多男性也在网上美容院进行了注册或是直接加入男性水疗等美容机构。

　　Singapore is Southeast Asia's fourth biggest economy and enjoys one of the highest per-capita incomes in the region. That means more people have more cash to spend, a factor that has spurred the beauty boom.

　　报道称，新加坡是东南亚第4经济大国，人均收入在当地居首。这意味着新加坡人有更多的闲钱去消费，这也是美容业兴盛的原因之一。

　　

　　（国际在线独家资讯 吴小蕊 未经允许请勿转载）

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