What Will You Learn About Singapore?
You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including: 1. Language 2. Religion and beliefs 3. Culture and society 4. Social etiquette and manners 5. Business culture and etiquette
Facts and Statistics
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Capital:Singapore Population: 5,567,301 (2014 est.) Ethnic Make-up:Chinese 76.7%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% Religions:Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist Business Culture: Ranked 25th in the Business Culture Complexity Index™
Language in Singapore
Singapore has attempted to promote a national identity in its land of immigrants since its independence in 1965. As part of this effort, Singapore has four national languages: Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. For business and politics, English is the language of choice. The famous Merlion overlooks Singapore's iconic Marina Bay Sands. Photo by J...
Singapore Society & Culture
The Family
Etiquette and Customs in Singapore
Meeting and Greeting
What are the local customs and traditions in Singapore?
In this first article of the series, we take a look at 13 local customs and traditions in Singapore that everyone should know. 1. Take off your shoes before entering the house Source Most of us don’t have carpets either. This applies to almost every household in Singapore.
What is Singapore's culture like today?
Singapore today runs rich with cultural practices and traditions brought over by its forefathers from across the region, including China, India and the Malay Archipelago. These traditions have since taken on new forms, adapting through the hands of a new generation of cultural custodians to stay relevant in the modern world.
What is the etiquette in Singapore?
This applies to almost every household in Singapore. We don’t wear shoes in the house, so take off your footwear before coming in. Remember to take off your shoes before entering any temple or mosque too! 2. Call all older people aunty/uncle
What is the official language of Singapore?
Being a former colonial country, English is the most commonly spoken and written language. It is the lingua franca in Singapore and therefore the de facto language used in public service and administration, trade and commerce and in the judicial system. In writing, Singapore follows British English.
Southeast Asian Local Customs