Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore comprises one large island and around 50 smaller islands. The 4.5 million Singaporeans are concentrated primarily in the densely populated southern part of the main island.
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Singapore Today
With one of the world’s highest standards of living, Singapore is a prosperous and modern country. The diverse population of Singapore, consisting mainly of Chinese, Malay and Indians, does not possess one single dominant national identity. Drawing on a variety of traditions, different ethnic groups all consider themselves important parts of the diverse society of Singapore. Effectively doing business with Singaporeans requires an understanding of the population’s different cultural traditions and background.
Singapore Culture – Key Concepts and Values
‘Kiasu’ – The Singaporean concept of ‘kiasu’ literally means ‘fear of losing’ and is often used to describe the social attitude of Singaporean people. The concept refers to Singaporeans’ desire to always want to be the best, come first and never lose out. The word is so widely used by Singaporeans that it is incorporated into their English vocabulary. ‘Kiasu’ has both positive and negative connotations; some say it keeps standards high whereas others claim it leads to a graceless society. The concept of ‘kiasu’ reflects the value Singaporeans place on competitiveness and strong work ethics.
Concept of Face – An important value in Singaporean culture is that of saving and maintaining ‘face’. To avoid losing face, Singaporeans control their behaviour and emotions in public, do not confront or criticise other people openly and employ an indirect communication style. Losing face has negative consequences on a person’s family and other social groups to which the person belongs as well as on individual reputation, credibility and authority.
Diversity – With a diverse population of Chinese, Malay and Indians as well as guest workers, Singapore values the diversity of its people and stresses the importance of accepting differences. Religious and ethnic difference is embraced in Singaporean society and customs and traditions are respected. Despite the separation between some of the groups, Singapore serves as an ‘umbrella’ culture to which they all feel a sense of belonging.
Doing Business in Singapore
A British colony until 1959, Singapore joined Malaysia in 1963 only to break away and become a fully independent state in 1965. With a modern infrastructure and an economy which surpasses many western countries, Singapore is the most developed country in south east Asia. Singapore’s strategic location, its hardworking and educated workforce as well as its stable political situation have helped establish the country as a financial and commercial centre. Often referred to as one of Asia’s economic ‘tigers’, Singapore has its roots as a natural trading port linking the east to the west. With a successful free-market economy, English as its main business language and low levels of corruption, Singapore is considered one of the easiest place to do business in Asia. To be effective in this thriving multicultural country, one must fully appreciate and understand the many different customs and traditions which impact Singaporean business culture and etiquette.
Singapore Business Part 1 - Working in Singapore: Working practices in Singapore
Structure and hierarchy in Singapore companies
Working relationships in Singapore
Singapore Business Part 2 - Doing Business in Singapore: Business practices
Business Etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO make sure you carefully inspect business cards from your Singaporean counterparts before putting them away.
DO speak in a quiet and gentle tone with your Singaporean counterparts.
DO be careful giving gifts, especially to government employees as this may be considered bribery which is prohibited by strict laws in Singapore.
DON’T take a ‘yes’ from your Singaporean counterparts literally. Singaporeans will rarely answer a question with a blunt ‘no’. ‘Yes’ can mean ‘maybe’ and even ‘no’.
DON’T make intense eye contact with a senior or older person as this will be seen as a sign of disrespect.
DON’T be impatient in business negotiations as this will be seen as a weakness by your Singaporean counterparts.
Singapore Culture Quiz – True or False
1. It is considered polite among Singaporean Chinese to always offer both the positive and negative possibilities when asking a question, for example ‘Do you want to go to dinner or not?’
2. Showing public affection between people of the opposite sex is acceptable.
3. Singapore has its own brand of English known as ‘Singlish’ which differs from English in terms of sentence structure, grammar as well as the frequent use of words like ‘lah’, ‘leh’ and ‘meh’.
4. Singaporeans love food and this will be a common topic of conversation.
5. Singaporeans do not normally wait in an organised queue and will try to get in front of people already waiting.
Singapore Culture Quiz – Answers
1. True.
2. False. Hugging and kissing in public is seen as unacceptable behaviour.
3. True.
4. True.
5. False. Singaporeans are accustomed to queuing up for everything and people will be offended if you jump the queue.
Singapore Today
With one of the world’s highest standards of living, Singapore is a prosperous and modern country. The diverse population of Singapore, consisting mainly of Chinese, Malay and Indians, does not possess one single dominant national identity. Drawing on a variety of traditions, different ethnic groups all consider themselves important parts of the diverse society of Singapore. Effectively doing business with Singaporeans requires an understanding of the population’s different cultural traditions and background.
Singapore Culture – Key Concepts and Values
‘Kiasu’ – The Singaporean concept of ‘kiasu’ literally means ‘fear of losing’ and is often used to describe the social attitude of Singaporean people. The concept refers to Singaporeans’ desire to always want to be the best, come first and never lose out. The word is so widely used by Singaporeans that it is incorporated into their English vocabulary. ‘Kiasu’ has both positive and negative connotations; some say it keeps standards high whereas others claim it leads to a graceless society. The concept of ‘kiasu’ reflects the value Singaporeans place on competitiveness and strong work ethics.
Concept of Face – An important value in Singaporean culture is that of saving and maintaining ‘face’. To avoid losing face, Singaporeans control their behaviour and emotions in public, do not confront or criticise other people openly and employ an indirect communication style. Losing face has negative consequences on a person’s family and other social groups to which the person belongs as well as on individual reputation, credibility and authority.
Diversity – With a diverse population of Chinese, Malay and Indians as well as guest workers, Singapore values the diversity of its people and stresses the importance of accepting differences. Religious and ethnic difference is embraced in Singaporean society and customs and traditions are respected. Despite the separation between some of the groups, Singapore serves as an ‘umbrella’ culture to which they all feel a sense of belonging.
Doing Business in Singapore
A British colony until 1959, Singapore joined Malaysia in 1963 only to break away and become a fully independent state in 1965. With a modern infrastructure and an economy which surpasses many western countries, Singapore is the most developed country in south east Asia. Singapore’s strategic location, its hardworking and educated workforce as well as its stable political situation have helped establish the country as a financial and commercial centre. Often referred to as one of Asia’s economic ‘tigers’, Singapore has its roots as a natural trading port linking the east to the west. With a successful free-market economy, English as its main business language and low levels of corruption, Singapore is considered one of the easiest place to do business in Asia. To be effective in this thriving multicultural country, one must fully appreciate and understand the many different customs and traditions which impact Singaporean business culture and etiquette.
Singapore Business Part 1 - Working in Singapore: Working practices in Singapore
Structure and hierarchy in Singapore companies
Working relationships in Singapore
Singapore Business Part 2 - Doing Business in Singapore: Business practices
Business Etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO make sure you carefully inspect business cards from your Singaporean counterparts before putting them away.
DO speak in a quiet and gentle tone with your Singaporean counterparts.
DO be careful giving gifts, especially to government employees as this may be considered bribery which is prohibited by strict laws in Singapore.
DON’T take a ‘yes’ from your Singaporean counterparts literally. Singaporeans will rarely answer a question with a blunt ‘no’. ‘Yes’ can mean ‘maybe’ and even ‘no’.
DON’T make intense eye contact with a senior or older person as this will be seen as a sign of disrespect.
DON’T be impatient in business negotiations as this will be seen as a weakness by your Singaporean counterparts.
Singapore Culture Quiz – True or False
1. It is considered polite among Singaporean Chinese to always offer both the positive and negative possibilities when asking a question, for example ‘Do you want to go to dinner or not?’
2. Showing public affection between people of the opposite sex is acceptable.
3. Singapore has its own brand of English known as ‘Singlish’ which differs from English in terms of sentence structure, grammar as well as the frequent use of words like ‘lah’, ‘leh’ and ‘meh’.
4. Singaporeans love food and this will be a common topic of conversation.
5. Singaporeans do not normally wait in an organised queue and will try to get in front of people already waiting.
Singapore Culture Quiz – Answers
1. True.
2. False. Hugging and kissing in public is seen as unacceptable behaviour.
3. True.
4. True.
5. False. Singaporeans are accustomed to queuing up for everything and people will be offended if you jump the queue.
