Singapore is a small country, but it’s exciting, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. At first glance, Singapore may appear as a gleaming group of tall apartments and business structures. However, if you look beyond that, you’ll realize how thrilling Singapore is and why you should plan a visit or revisit soon by completing your Singapore Airlines booking.
Before you go to Singapore, it’s good to know that the country is known for having strict rules and social expectations. So, here are some tips to help you prepare.
Most people in Singapore speak excellent English.
What annoys Singaporeans the most? Tourists’ stereotyping of locals. Don’t assume that locals can’t speak English. It’s not a good idea to walk up to someone and assume that. Singaporeans come from different cultures, but they all learn English as their main language in school.
Taxis in Singapore have a meter and are controlled
People think that taxi drivers in Asia charge tourists too much money. It’s hard to do this in Singapore because the taxis are controlled, and the meter accurately measures the distance. Nowadays, getting a ride in Singapore is easier because of affordable options like Grab and Uber.
You can go almost anywhere in Singapore by train.
Singapore is a small city, so it doesn’t take long to travel from one place to another. Big places you might want to see are easy to get to by train. You can go from far away parts of Singapore to the middle of the city in less than 30 minutes.
People love to wear flip-flops in Singapore.
In Singapore, where the weather can be hot and unpredictable, many people choose to wear flip-flops because they are practical, even though they may not be considered fashionable.
Singapore doesn’t have four seasons like some other Southeast Asian countries. At the start of the year, it’s usually dry, and towards the end, it gets wet.
You can find Wi-Fi hotspots almost anywhere.
I have good news if you’re afraid to explore a city without the internet. Most cafes and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, and public places like libraries and shopping malls use Wi-Fi free for everyone, even tourists!
Just enter your phone number to receive a one-time password (OTP), and you’re ready to go.
Use packets of tissues to save your seat.
If you plan to eat at a hawker center, keep an eye out for tables with tissue packets on them. This means that someone has reserved the table locally by “choping” it. In Singapore, some people have a quirky habit of reserving spots.
You don’t have to give a tip.
In Singapore, customers are not required to give tips to service staff, unlike in some Western countries. This happens because many restaurants or cafes add a 10% service charge to your total bill. However, giving a tip is not against the law.
There are specific areas where smoking is permitted
You can smoke in Singapore, but there are many rules you must follow. You can’t smoke inside, at bus stops, or even under covered walkways.
Most places have spots where you can smoke, but if you’re new, you might have to look for them. If you get caught and found guilty, you might have to pay up to $1,000 as a penalty.
Priority bus and train seats should be avoided.
Trains and buses in Singapore have special seats for pregnant women, elderly people, and those with physical disabilities. Anyone can sit on these seats. If someone needs it more, please give it to them.
Taking the escalator up? Keep left
Unspoken but widely followed, people tend to form a single line on the left side of the escalator. If you’re new to this, you might be confused. But this organized behavior is from an old campaign in Singapore that encourages people to be polite.
With 24-hour dining options, you’ll never go hungry
Everyone knows that people in Singapore really love their food. That’s why many places in Singapore are open 24/7 to nourish the city that never rests! If you want some tasty food late at night, you can find it nearby.
Alcohol isn’t sold or consumed after 10:30 pm.
If you’ve ever dreamed of admiring Singapore’s beautiful skyline at night while sipping a beer, make sure you do it in a bar with a license. Otherwise, you might get fined!
People can’t buy or drink alcohol publicly from 10:30 pm to 7 am. Don’t worry; there’s still a silver lining. You can have a drink or two while admiring the beautiful view of Singapore’s skyline from rooftop bars.
