Singaporean customs and common sense of life in the new country

Singapore is located 136 kilometers north of the equator. It has a tropical maritime climate, with hot and humid climate throughout the year, and a small temperature difference between day and night. Compared with other countries in Southeast Asia, there is no obvious dry season or rainy season. The local area generally calls November to January the rainy season. Although it is the rainy season, it does not rain every day. Even outside the rainy season, it sometimes rains for 1 to 2 hours.

The raw water in all water pipes in Singapore can be drank directly. Of course, since everyone has different sensitivity to raw water, there are also people who are not averse to water. People with a healthy stomach are better off drinking mineral water.

The voltage in Singapore is the same as that in China.

Singapore’s currency is called the Singapore dollar or Singapore dollar S$; the currency unit is Singapore cent, 1 yuan is equal to 10 jiao, and 10 jiao is equal to 10 cents. Types of banknotes: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1000, $10000, 1 cent, 5 cents, 1 dime, 2 dimes, 5 dimes. RMB can be exchanged directly at a bank or bank with an official exchange mark at the day's price. Singapore Customs has no maximum limit on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into the country.

Singapore’s telecommunications phone number, local calls cost 3 minutes and 1 cent. Please note that the coin phone only accepts 1 dime coins. You can use a card phone or a phone in a hotel room to make direct international long distance calls, called IDD. The IDD long-distance station is 001. When calling China, you need to add the country code "86", and then the area code. For example: when calling Beijing (010)-1234-5678, it is "001+86+011234- 5678". Price: 0700hrs～2100hrs on weekdays, 0700hrs～1300hrs on Saturdays and Sundays, 6 seconds, 2 cents and 2 cents. Other times: 6 seconds and 2 cents. Now, many people use IP phone cards, and calling China only costs more than 1 yuan per minute. The mobile phone brought from China can be used after installing a Singaporean SIM card.

When shopping in Singapore, pay attention to the shops with the red Merlion logo on the windows, which are recommended by the Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Consumers Association. You can shop with confidence, but prices in Singapore are relatively expensive. Store opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 21:00 pm, closed on Sunday. Prices in large shopping malls are fixed, while prices in general shopping malls are negotiable. Don’t forget to ask for an invoice when shopping in a small mall. If you find that the product has quality problems, you can use the ticket to return or exchange it.

In Singapore, you must always pay attention to maintaining environmental hygiene. Spitting and littering will be punished with a penalty of $1,000; you must abide by the regulations in places where smoking is prohibited. On certain occasions in Singapore hotels, such as carrying luggage and cleaning the room, a tip of 1-2 yuan is expected.

Singapore is on the same meridian as China, and there is no time difference from Beijing time.

Singapore’s customs and taboos

Shake hands and greetings. Due to long-term British influence, Singapore has become Westernized and people shake hands when meeting and breaking up. Don't rush to visit the host for the first time. Make an appointment in advance. When introducing people, you should usually call them "Mr.", "Mrs." or "Miss". This applies to all ethnic groups in Singapore. You can call others by their first names if they ask for it, otherwise it is best to follow the rules and address them by their last names. If asked to use their title, this should be done. If you go to a social gathering, people will introduce you to everyone, but do it quickly, without shaking their hands as you walk by them.

Smoking Information In Singapore, people are very disapproving of smoking. Smoking is strictly prohibited by law in elevators, public transportation, cinemas, especially government office buildings, and violators will be fined S$500. It is best to obtain the other person's consent before smoking.

Clothing Singapore's climate is affected by the ocean and latitude. The temperature is high and the humidity is high. The daily temperature ranges between 25°C and 34°C. Therefore, it is most suitable to wear lightweight materials in summer. People generally wear casual clothes when working. After get off work, they can wear T-shirts and chinos. Only at formal banquets, they must wear suits and ties. Ladies must wear evening gowns, which also makes the host feel respected.

Entertainment The form of entertainment is usually dinner or lunch.

Local people generally do not invite guests they meet for the first time to have dinner. However, after the host gets to know the visitor, he can hold a formal banquet and discuss business during the banquet. Similarly, visitors should not be in a hurry to treat each other. Frequent and continuous meetings will bring the two parties closer, and by then it will not be too late to treat each other. As long as it is not a business banquet, guests can attend with their wives.

When entertaining Singaporean customers, you must pay attention to their tastes. Singaporeans like light and slightly sweet tastes, and their staple food is rice. They appreciate braised fish fillets, fried shrimps, crispy chicken, tomato and cabbage rolls, shredded chicken and peas, hand-caught mutton and other flavorful dishes. They like to drink beer, Northeastern wine and other beverages, and they also like Chinese and Cantonese cuisine. When eating with Indians or Malays, be careful not to use your left hand.

Friends and colleagues often visit each other without prior agreement, but if you are not familiar with the host, you should call first. In any case, don't visit before mealtime as this will make others feel like they have to ask you to stay for dinner.

If you go to someone else's house for dinner, help clean up after the meal, even though the host usually doesn't want your help.

Giving gifts No matter where you go, there is no need to bring gifts. There is no habit of giving gifts among businessmen in Singapore, but people cherish company souvenirs. Sometimes a Singaporean host will invite foreigners to his home for dinner. If the guests can bring a gift (a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers), the hostess will appreciate it. Singaporeans consider it rude to open a gift in front of the giver, so don't be offended if your gift remains intact when you say goodbye.

Table Manners Singaporean Chinese often use chopsticks and porcelain spoons when eating in restaurants. Hotels will provide forks and spoons if foreigners need them, but it is considered a sign of respect for a foreign visitor to use or try to use chopsticks. Sometimes using your fingers to help is allowed, especially when eating chicken or other poultry. Malays and Indians may use their right hands instead of chopsticks and banana leaves instead of plates. When eating in the Malay or Indian way, one should ask the host for advice or imitate his cooking. Do not place chopsticks on bowls or plates when eating. When not in use, do not place chopsticks crosswise. They should be placed on a rack, soy sauce dish or bone plate. If there are sailors, fishermen or other boating enthusiasts at the same table, do not turn over the half-eaten fish on the plate, as this will indicate capsizing of the boat. Instead, remove the fish bones and eat from top to bottom.

Conversation Taboos In social conversations, it is strictly forbidden to discuss political gains and losses, racial friction, religious rights and wrongs, spouse status, etc. However, you can exchange travel experiences and talk about various things about the countries you have visited. knowledge. Good conversation topics are local delicacies, restaurants, popular tourist areas and the host's business achievements.

In Singapore, there are very few people who openly express their sense of humor, and not all jokes can be appreciated by people. Therefore, it is best to joke less before you know others well.

It is strictly forbidden in Singapore to say "Congratulations on getting rich". They understand "cai" as "illegal wealth" or "unkindness to get rich". Saying "Congratulations on getting rich" is considered an insult and ridicule to others.

It is taboo to point at someone with your index finger, hit the open palm of the other hand with a clenched fist, or insert your thumb between your index finger and middle finger with a clenched fist. This is considered extremely disrespectful. The act of courtesy. Don't put your hands on your hips casually, as that is a sign of anger.

New Year’s Taboos: Do not sweep the floor or wash your hair during the New Year, otherwise your good luck will be swept away and washed away; do not break things in the house, especially do not break the mirror, because that will herald the division of the family or Other unfortunate things happen; don't wear old clothes, needles and scissors, they bring bad luck.

Number taboos Singaporeans think "4", "6", "7", "13", "37" and "69" are negative numbers. They hate "7" the most and try to avoid it. this number.

Color taboos Singaporeans regard black as the color of bad luck and bad luck, and purple is not popular either. They prefer red and regard red as a symbol of solemnity, enthusiasm, stimulation, excitement, courage and generosity. They also welcome blue and green.

Pattern taboos Singapore prohibits the use of images of Tathagata Buddha on product packaging, nor is it allowed to use religious terms. Pig and turtle patterns are taboo.