You have to hand it to Singapore: It is doing its best to lose its longtime image as the nanny state of Asia. In fact, with the launch earlier this month of the now annual "Romancing Singapore" campaign, it is behaving less like a nanny and more like a madam.
According to the rose-colored, heart-sprinkled Romancing Singapore 2004 Web site, this campaign is designed "to serve as a gentle reminder to everyone to let love and romance into their lives." The government-backed festival also aims "to convey the message that love is in the little things, to not take relationships with our loved ones for granted."
To that end, organizers have come up with a number of romance-enhancing activities. There will be a river-rafting "Love Boat" race, a tango party and the "National Vertical Marathon's Lovers' Challenge" -- a heartwarming event in which couples (presumably) race up skyscraper stairs.