The Taboos Tourists Have To Notice When Traveling In Singapore
Good Standards of Hygiene
Singapore is a modern country and is named the cleanest country all over the world. When traveling in Singapore, you absolutely should not litter because you may face a fine and get nasty stares from city citizens.
Some places like elevators, movie theaters and public transportations and especially office have the regulation of prohibiting smoking. Therefore, if you violate this, you will be immediately fined SGD 500.
Chewing gum will be fined SGD 1,000 and you also must serve about 10 hours of community service.
Left Hand Taboo
Singapore is a country of immigrants, and the majority of the population is Indian and Islam. The Indian and Islam strictly prohibit the use of the left hand in such activities as gifts, shaking hands, eating and so on. Therefore, in Singapore, you should care about your gestures and postures, and use the right hand in order to adapt to the native culture.
Traffic
Even though you are too late, you absolutely should not run the red traffic light. Also, whether you sit on front or back seats on a taxi, you certainly have to wear seatbelt. This is both habit and law in Singapore.
Visiting someone's home
Before entering the private home of an acquaintance or the sacred worship sites, you should take off your shoes to go barefoot.
Singapore has the culture of handshake when you meet someone. You can shake hands with anyone in Singapore except for Muslim women because they are forbidden to shake hands with strangers. To avoid misunderstandings and violating the taboo, the best way is that you should smile and slightly bow whenever you meet someone.
These items that are considered as unlucky things and cannot be presented to others in Singapore are clocks (representing mourning), handkerchief (representing farewell) and umbrella (representing a bad omen).
Greeting and communication
Most Singaporeans can speak two languages: mother tongue and English. Singaporeans are exchanging business cards, and you should remember to get their cards with both hands and always appreciate them, do not leave the cards in your pocket before you read them.
When communicating with Singaporean people, you absolutely never discuss controversial and sensitive matters such as politics, racial discrimination and vilification, religions and so on. You can talk about your travel experiences and famous places that you know or traveled in.
The topics which are discussed by Singaporeans most are high-class dishes, hotels and restaurants.
Eating Etiquette
You should not place your chopsticks on bowl or dish. After finishing eating, you also have to put them on the plate of bone or chili.
Food
Islam is the major religion in Singapore. This religion prohibits alcohol drinks, pork and the foods made of pork.
Muslims do not eat pork; therefore, when inviting a Muslim friend to enjoy a meal, you must ensure that your dishes are not used or made of alcohol and pork, and you have to purchase other kinds of meat from slaughterhouses match to the regulations of Islam. Also, when you visit a Muslim family, never bring alcoholic drinks.
Hindus do not eat beef. During funeral, people get dressed dark clothes and give condolence money with odd numbers in white or brown envelopes.
Chewing gum will be fined SGD 1,000 and you also must serve about 10 hours of community service.
Left Hand Taboo
Singapore is a country of immigrants, and the majority of the population is Indian and Islam. The Indian and Islam strictly prohibit the use of the left hand in such activities as gifts, shaking hands, eating and so on. Therefore, in Singapore, you should care about your gestures and postures, and use the right hand in order to adapt to the native culture.
Traffic
Even though you are too late, you absolutely should not run the red traffic light. Also, whether you sit on front or back seats on a taxi, you certainly have to wear seatbelt. This is both habit and law in Singapore.
Visiting someone's home
Before entering the private home of an acquaintance or the sacred worship sites, you should take off your shoes to go barefoot.
Singapore has the culture of handshake when you meet someone. You can shake hands with anyone in Singapore except for Muslim women because they are forbidden to shake hands with strangers. To avoid misunderstandings and violating the taboo, the best way is that you should smile and slightly bow whenever you meet someone.
These items that are considered as unlucky things and cannot be presented to others in Singapore are clocks (representing mourning), handkerchief (representing farewell) and umbrella (representing a bad omen).
Greeting and communication
Most Singaporeans can speak two languages: mother tongue and English. Singaporeans are exchanging business cards, and you should remember to get their cards with both hands and always appreciate them, do not leave the cards in your pocket before you read them.
When communicating with Singaporean people, you absolutely never discuss controversial and sensitive matters such as politics, racial discrimination and vilification, religions and so on. You can talk about your travel experiences and famous places that you know or traveled in.
The topics which are discussed by Singaporeans most are high-class dishes, hotels and restaurants.
Eating Etiquette
You should not place your chopsticks on bowl or dish. After finishing eating, you also have to put them on the plate of bone or chili.
Food
Islam is the major religion in Singapore. This religion prohibits alcohol drinks, pork and the foods made of pork.
Muslims do not eat pork; therefore, when inviting a Muslim friend to enjoy a meal, you must ensure that your dishes are not used or made of alcohol and pork, and you have to purchase other kinds of meat from slaughterhouses match to the regulations of Islam. Also, when you visit a Muslim family, never bring alcoholic drinks.
Hindus do not eat beef. During funeral, people get dressed dark clothes and give condolence money with odd numbers in white or brown envelopes.
