Page Added
July 8, 1998SINGAPORE
LANGUAGE
* The official languages of Singapore are English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Malay is considered the national language but English is the language used in public administration and working life.
BUSINESS ATTIRE
* Standard business attire is quite formal but can be tailored to suit Singapore's hot, tropical climate. Men should wear a shirt and tie and women should wear a dress or skirt and blouse. Suits and coats should be worn to official functions.
INTRODUCTIONS
* As in most Asian countries, business cards are essential for introductions. Cards should be given and received with both hands, particularly when dealing with Chinese people, and each card should be carefully studied for a few seconds. To place a business card immediately into your pocket may cause offence.
* Singaporean citizens of Chinese descent will usually have a three-syllable name. Chinese surnames precede given names. Hence, a man named Goh Tuck-seng should be referred to as Mr Goh.
* Malays and Indians have their given names before their father's name but are addressed by their given names. For example:
Malay Man
Address as
Malay Woman
Address as
* Singaporean citizens of Indian descent frequently have long names. The name will often include the initials of the person's father, given in initials. For example:
Indian Person
Address as
* Most business people from Singapore also use English Christian names.
MONEY
* The official unit of currency in Singapore is the Singapore dollar.
* Singapore is an international financial centre and has a modern efficient banking system.
* Most foreign currencies and travellers* cheques can be easily exchanged in Singapore.
* Credit cards are widely accepted in Singapore and can be used to obtain cash advances at banks and at automatic teller machines across the island.
GIFTS
* For information concerning the giving and receiving of gifts in Singapore, refer to the China chapter in this guide.
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
* Singapore has an efficient post and telecommunications service.
* The GPO is open 24 hours a day for essential transactions, as is the post office at Changi airport. International phone calls are easily made from Singapore. A telephone centre with international direct dial phone services is located at the GPO.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
* Singapore's Changi Airport is located 20 kilometres from the city centre and is well served by taxis and public buses. Taxis are excellent with a trip to the city costing $10-$15.
GENERAL
* Singapore has a population of approximately 2.7 million. The population is made up of 78 per cent Chinese, 14 per cent Malay, 7 per cent Indian and the remaining 1 per cent of the population is comprised of people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds.
* Because Singapore is a multicultural Asian city, an awareness of the cultures of all Singaporeans must be maintained.
* The main religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Most Malays are Muslims and fast for one month during the Ramadan festival at the beginning of each Muslim year. Muslim people do not eat pork products and do not drink alcohol, so care must be taken when dining out with Muslims or selecting gifts. Pigskin products are also considered unclean.
* Chinese people celebrate Chinese New Year according to the Lunar calendar, usually around late January or early February. Conducting business with Chinese people at this time can be inconvenient.
BUSINESS HOURS
* Government offices are usually open from Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings. Offices usually open between 8am and 9am and close between 5pm and 6pm. On Saturdays, offices close between 11.30am and 1pm.
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