Singapore is a fine city.

To be fair, being a "fine city" is super effective. Singapore is now ranked as one of the cleanest and most well-run states in the world.

But in a world filled with sticks and not enough carrots, things would feel harsh.

Nudge

So, going down the punishment route isn't the only way. Sometimes, a softer approach works better.

By using positive reinforcement and indirect suggestion, the Singapore government has been ensuring that people make "better" choices while still feeling like they are retaining their freedom of choice.

This is known as nudging.

It is based on the premise that people don't make the most rational choices all the time.

According to The Economist, nudging has worked to increase school intake of students from financially diverse backgrounds, increase tax returns, and increase number of health check ups -- all by eschewing the traditional heavy-handed interventions by the government.

1. Choosing to eat healthily

Nudging proves to be very effective in the area of healthier living.

For starters, everyone is assumed to want to lead healthier, longer lives.

However, due to a variety of reasons (long working hours, lack of time), making the right choices isn't so easy.

When you're just off from a 10-hour shift, that McSpicy is going to look a whole lot more attractive than Yong Tau Foo.

Enter the tiny, non-intrusive Healthier Choice logo.

This little innocuous pyramid primes consumers to partake of healthier options.

The calorie numbers next to your favourite hawker foods steer you towards choosing the 618-calorie chicken rice over the 708-calorie hor fun.

2. Choosing to exercise more

Want people to walk more? Turn it into a game. The goal is to get people to walk at least 10,000 steps a day.

By their own volition. Or so it appears.

Season 1 of the National Steps Challenge (NSC) had 156,000 contestants.

Season 2 saw 350,000 participants, more than double that of the previous season.

Right now, the NSC is in its third season and it doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

By clocking the necessary steps every day, contestants can earn points to redeem for vouchers and prizes, such as flight tickets, overseas trips, and massage chairs.

So much more fun than just boring exercising, isn't it?

The gamification of exercise seems to work: 74 percent of previously sedentary participants achieved sufficient physical activity daily in Season 2.

This wasn't the first time the Health Promotion Board used gaming elements in persuading Singaporeans to exercise.

Previously, the first season of the Million Kg Challenge saw 42,000 participants pledging to lose weight.

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3. Choosing to use utilities prudently

Since 2016, utilities bill in Singapore have been redesigned to include consumption graphs showing your previous month's usage as well as your neighbours and national average consumption.

No one likes to be an outlier, especially one that is using more electricity/ water than everyone else. Having the comparison graph in your bill helps to nudge you towards being more prudent with your usage.

4. Choosing not to smoke

There are a couple of ways the government nudges you to quit smoking.

First, would be the inclusion of images depicting miscarried babies, cancer tumours, and rotting teeth as a deterrent measure.

If that doesn't work, the government also restricts the number of places you can smoke.

When you finally find a designated smoking point to smoke at, it's like a giant enclosure with tempered glass screens.

Aside from shielding non-smoking members of the public from smoke, the claustrophobic space makes smokers feel cut off from the rest of society while they stew in their own second-hand smoke.

5. Choosing not to speed

Sure, there's some element of a punishment here. You go over the speed limit, you get captured on camera and you pay the fine.

However, the Your Speed Sign (YSS) serves to let you know if you're over the speed limit, hence, subtly encouraging you to slow down, especially at areas which are more prone to accidents.

Free choice? Some food for thought next time you're out at the supermarket reaching for that Healthier Choice green tea.

H/T to BBC

Top images via HPB

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