Singapore's population is multinational. However, despite the difference in cultures, there are still Singaporean traditions and customs. I propose to learn more about them and the features of everyday life.
The symbol of the island of Singapore is the lion fish - The Merlion, which is revered by Singaporeans and which tourists come to see.
Singaporeans are very proud of their island and do not focus on their ethnicity, so when asked: “What is your nationality?”, tourists receive a comprehensive answer: “I am Singaporean!”
Singapore has a strict policy of penalties for non-compliance with laws in the form of fines, imprisonment and even the death penalty. You can be fined for smoking in a public place, littering and jaywalking. Based on this, Singaporeans are a fairly disciplined nation that maintains ideal cleanliness on the streets and in the premises, following the principle: “it’s clean not where they clean, but where they don’t litter!”
By limiting the personal freedoms of Singaporeans through a system of fines and criminal penalties for breaking laws and regulations, Singapore has the lowest crime rate in the world.
Singaporeans are obsessed with gadgets like iPhones and PSPs, so don't be surprised if you meet teenagers on the bus or subway playing games on their fancy gadgets.
Singaporeans are not sentimental or melancholic in nature. When talking among themselves and with strangers, they are reluctant to discuss personal matters, and never express emotions in public.
Despite the fact that Singaporeans are a fairly disciplined nation, they will not let you pass in line, open the door for you, or give up your seat on the subway.
Singaporeans abide by moral standards. Here you will not see scenes of violence or sex scenes neither on the street, nor on television, and even on the pages of printed publications. For violations of moral standards, severe penalties are provided in the form of fines and imprisonment. And, despite the fact that prostitution (represented by emigrant women) still flourishes on the island, she is also chaste. There is no porn industry in Singapore.
Singaporeans enjoy holidaying abroad. The reason for this may be the opportunity to relax and not think about the need to work a lot and hard. And Singaporeans often relax with alcohol - they drink often, but in moderation.
In Singapore you will not meet homeless people or beggars, because wandering and begging are prohibited here. And the street actors are beggars, mostly poor students or immigrants who came to Singapore in search of a better life.
In Singapore it is simply impossible to earn little; it is not enough to live in this expensive city. Singaporeans believe that you can never have enough money, because prices for food, transport, real estate and services are quite high.
Singaporeans go to casinos with serious intentions, solely with the goal of getting rich, calculating the probability of winning. Because making money is their main fixed idea.
According to Singaporean tradition, you must take off your shoes before entering a house or temple. If you are invited to visit, I recommend buying minor gifts or souvenirs as a sign of gratitude and respect for the hosts. The appearance can be quite free and comfortable, but not sporty and careless. To visit expensive restaurants and hotels, men should wear a shirt and business suit, and women should wear an evening or cocktail dress.
Local residents are scrupulous about their appearance and clothes in particular. For example, appearing in in public places wearing clothes for the beach or relaxing by the pool is considered unacceptable.
Traditionally, Singaporeans eat dishes with chopsticks; they skillfully wield these cutlery, devouring rice noodles with pieces of chicken in peanut sauce on both cheeks. Moreover, chopsticks are held exclusively in the right hand, or food is taken with the fingers of the right hand. Singaporeans never leave chopsticks on a plate of food, but place them on a stand or on the table next to the plate. Sometimes the table setting includes two spoons - porcelain and silver. In this case, you need to eat with porcelain, and serve food with silver. It also happens that food is eaten with hands without the help of any cutlery, for example, Indian couscous with curry. For European tourists, restaurants provide traditional cutlery.
Food is one of the main elements of Singaporeans' daily life, it strengthens national mentality and unity among local residents. Singaporeans rarely visit expensive restaurants; more often they prefer street food centers (hawker centres), where they can have a tasty and inexpensive lunch or dinner, and at the same time talk about food.
All the above-mentioned traditions and customs of Singaporeans are not an exhaustive list. It is useful to familiarize yourself with and take into account the rules of conduct and laws that must be observed during your stay in the country.
Fine 500 Singapore dollars for eating in the wrong place.
Singapore traditions
As I remember from school curriculum, every rule has its exception. If we apply this image to countries South-East Asia, then, undoubtedly, the island-state will become such an exception. Located between the chaotic and numerous Muslim countries of Indonesia and Malaysia, it manages to be amazingly orderly, almost the cleanest on the entire continent and emphatically law-abiding. “The City of Fines,” as it is also called, Singapore is proud that the rules here are followed in deeds, not in words, and order is observed everywhere. What do you need to know when traveling to Singapore?
Singapore traditions
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city. Indigenous people The islands make up only a small percentage, and the majority of the inhabitants are several generations of Chinese, Indians, Malays and Arabs. The stunning mix of Asian cultures has affected all spheres of life in the country. Although, through the eyes of a tourist, they are different cultural traditions and customs exist together, but develop separately, maintaining their own rhythm. Within one city, you can feel the spirit of that very India, walking through the neighborhoods of the Little India district, surrounded by the thin smoke of sticks and the sounds of soothing chants, then intend to “jump” into the loud and bustling Chinese China Town, and end the evening in the center of the lights of an ultra-modern metropolis , which is ready to be compared only with New York itself.
Fines in Singapore
Residents of this country themselves are not averse to laughing at all the prohibitions that are spelled out in the relevant city laws, selling funny T-shirts or mugs with a list of some of them, but a sense of humor of civic responsibility is not a hindrance. The author of the article personally witnessed the joke: “Is there really a $500 fine for eating on the subway? Does anyone observe this?”, received a very specific and polite answer from a respectable local resident: “Of course they do! But what about?
This is a country where it is easier and more profitable to be on the wave of the law than to circumvent it.
How to be a respectable tourist in Singapore?
Smoking is allowed only in specially designated areas, in open areas. In closed public areas, such as transport, shops, cinemas, etc., it is strictly prohibited. The fine is almost 1000 Singapore dollars.
Crossing the street in the wrong place is also punishable. $500 per violator.
Singaporeans take care of cleanliness and have first-hand experience with the following rule: “It’s not where they clean, but where they don’t litter.” Spitting, chewing gum, pieces of paper, etc. outside the basket are strictly prohibited by an administrative fine of $500. By the way, eating and drinking in unspecified places is also not allowed, for example, in the subway or just on the street.
You should wear a seat belt in cars, be polite when dealing with people, and so on. In other words, observe all the classical norms of behavior that would be welcome in any country, with only one exception - in Singapore, indeed, this is monitored and violations are not tolerated. Is it worth saying that the option of “agreeing” with the person in charge does not work here and you must be held accountable for your actions according to the law.
Singapore has proven to the world that this is possible. Live in beauty, develop rapidly and follow the basic, in general, rules that make life better and cleaner.
A characteristic feature of the native Singaporean population is its multinationality; the country has become a real melting pot for several generations of Chinese, Malay and Indian immigrants. Plus, some part of the European population has survived from the time of the British colonial administration.
Such a motley mixture of several cultures and nationalities has given modern Singapore such a vibrant and unique character. At the same time, coming to this interesting country, it is extremely important to understand and distinguish national characteristics in the behavior of all groups of Singaporeans.
The majority of Singapore's population is Chinese, almost 77% of them total number citizens of the country. Malays of different origins- This is approximately 14% of the population. People from India number about 8%, most of them are Tamils, the rest of the Indians are Malayalees, Punjabis and Bengalis. And small ethnic groups of Singaporeans include English, Arabs, Jews, Thais, Armenians, Japanese and a variety of mestizos (Euro-Asians).
Chinese
The Chinese in Singapore represent the largest ethnic group, accounting for almost three-quarters of the country's population. It is therefore not surprising that Chinese culture - from language and food preferences to holidays and festivals - occupies a prominent place in modern Singapore.
The majority of the Chinese population comes from China's southern provinces, including Fujian and Guangdong. Some moved here to escape the harsh living conditions in home country, others - out of a desire to realize their entrepreneurial talents, because many Singaporean businessmen Chinese origin. Today, the Chinese are well represented in various sectors of Singaporean society, from politics and business to sports and entertainment.
Although traditional Chinese culture in Singapore has undergone strong influences from other Asian and European cultures, the celebration is still celebrated here with great pleasure and in full accordance with ancient traditions.
Euro-Asians
The small, less than 1% of the population, but quite influential Eurasian community in Singapore clearly demonstrates the unity of East and West in this country. This ethnic group consists of people of mixed origin, descendants of European and Asian settlers, and began to form in Singapore in early XIX century. The European wing of the ancestry of these people comes from the Portuguese, Dutch or British, and the Asian wing can be traced from the Chinese, Malays or Indians.
During the colonial period, many Eurasians were employed as clerks in public service, in European banks and trading companies. Women mainly worked as teachers and nurses. Today people from this group occupy a prominent place in the media mass media and the entertainment industry.
Euro-Asians speak English language, and also have their own culinary traditions, such as thick spicy soup, shepherd's pie or semolina cake.
Indians
Indians are Singapore's third largest ethnic group, and the community is considered one of the largest overseas Indian diasporas. Many of them came here from southern India after the establishment of British colonial rule in Singapore. Almost 60% of Indian residents are Tamils, more than half profess Hinduism.
Indians are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, and many have opened their own businesses in Singapore, mainly related to trade - from textiles to jewelry. Today they are also very well represented in political and professional circles.
It is impossible to talk about Singaporean Indians without mentioning their cuisine, which is richly represented in the gastronomic world. Indian local culinary hits are spicy pancakes and fried fritters. Also, Indian festivals are often held in Singapore, for example (festival of lights) or.
Malays
Singapore's first inhabitants, the Malays, are today the second largest population ethnic group population. That is why they influenced all the other migrants who moved to Singapore later. The Malays came here from the surrounding Indonesian islands, as well as from the Malay Peninsula.
Malay cuisine, based on rice and noodles with various sauces and additives, today dominates the gastronomic map of Singapore, mostly among street food outlets.
Most Malays are Muslims, and their main holidays are festivals and.
Peranakan
Peranakan is a specific phenomenon characteristic of the Malay Peninsula and nearby islands. They are the descendants of marriages between Chinese or Indian men and local Malay or Indonesian women. Basically, the Peranakan ethnicity was formed from the ancestors of Chinese traders and Indian merchants who came on business to the islands of Southeast Asia.
Many of the first Peranakan were traders and shopkeepers, while they later distinguished themselves in real estate, shipping and banking. The main feature of this national group is the mixture of several cultural characteristics if you have your own kitchen and traditional clothes. For example, the traditional Paranakan women's dress is the nyonya kebaya, which is based on a Malay sarong, but is beautifully decorated with extensive embroidery.
Features of Singaporean etiquette
Knowing some of the peculiarities of behavior and etiquette can be useful if, for example, you happen to be invited to the home of residents of Singapore. The rule of good manners is to have small gifts for your hosts. In order not to rack your brains, give something from the Russian flavor, for example, a matryoshka doll. You can wrap a gift in red, green or yellow wrapping paper; these colors are well received by all ethnic groups.
But it’s better not to give fresh flowers without knowing the subtleties. In the East, different nationalities have a large number of rituals and restrictions associated with this. You also cannot give sharp objects - knives, scissors, etc. - in Singapore this is interpreted as a desire to break off a relationship. The Chinese part of the population associates watches and handkerchiefs with death, and Indians and Malays cannot be given leather goods or alcohol.
Upon entering a private house or an apartment, it is customary to take off your shoes. At the entrance to temples - too. You can take photographs almost anywhere, but in religious places it is better to ask permission.
To emphasize your respect for a person, any item in Singapore is served with two hands and a slight bow. They accept things in the same way, even a business card, change or purchase. It is important to read the business card carefully, and the gift, if it is wrapped, must be unwrapped and expressed gratitude.
One of the most noticeable traits among all Singaporeans, a sort of “national obsession”, is the love of food, which serves as a thread that binds different cultural traditions together. Food is the main subject of small talk, the theme of festivals, exhibitions and excursions. And there are some subtleties associated with eating. Indian and Malay food is eaten only right hand. Chopsticks should not be left on the plate after eating; they should be placed on a special stand or on the table. Also, you should not point with chopsticks at another person or objects, they are only for food. Sometimes table setting includes two spoons - in this case, they eat with a porcelain spoon, and with a metal one they only put food on the plate.
In Singapore, it is customary to be scrupulous about one's appearance. Clothes for visiting city restaurants are allowed to be quite loose, but without any hint of excessive frankness, sports or beach style. For formal events, a business suit and evening dress are required. In general, Singaporeans prefer European style in clothes.
One of the main national traits Local residents are considered to have a desire for order, and this applies to absolutely all areas of life. Citizens take the problem of smoking very seriously; it is prohibited by law in all closed public institutions. The violator will have to pay a fairly large fine - about a thousand dollars. At the same time, there are quite a few designated smoking areas in the city. You should also cross the road only in the designated place. If there is no pedestrian or underground crossing nearby, then you can simply stand next to the nearest traffic light - attentive drivers will definitely stop and let the pedestrian pass.
The streets of the city are amazingly clean; local residents are very concerned about order and encourage city guests to also maintain cleanliness. Garbage should only be thrown into special bins; violators may also face a fairly large fine. Another feature of the city is the ban on eating in places not designated for this. This rule sounds quite peculiar, but you can eat food in the city only in specially designated places - this is the local culture. Chewing gum cannot be brought into Singapore, much less consumed. This offense carries one of the largest fines - $300.
One of the most important national celebrations is Independence Day, which is celebrated on August 9. The holiday is accompanied by various cultural events, shows and fairs, exhibitions and military parades. Most of festive events takes place on the territory of Marina Bay. Little townspeople also take a direct part in organizing the holiday. Always performs on Independence Day children's choir, in which students from 200 schools sing. Local residents have good tradition, which tourists are happy to support - it is customary to wear the brightest and most beautiful clothes for the holiday. Many people sew their own outfits for the holiday so that they are different from others. Red is considered the national color; it must certainly be present in a festive outfit. Tourists who did not have time to stock up on special clothes for the celebration can purchase a red T-shirt in one of the local stores. Copyright www.site
Bright and beautiful clothes accompanies any holiday - after all, if any city can be called the most colorful city in Asia, then here, in addition to Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh will fight for the palm. The most bright that The celebration of the Chinese New Year serves as confirmation. It is accompanied by the Chingay parade, the scope of which is truly large-scale - the celebration lasts 15 days, and during this time the streets are full of color bright colors. Orchad road is accompanied by the traditional Chinese “Lion dance”, loud sounds are heard everywhere - this is how the residents of Singapore scare away the forces of evil.
