Help with learning about Singaporean communication practices

• topramen

  12 Mar 14, 10:02

  I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I'm an American student looking for help with a project I'm doing about Singaporean culture.

  I was wondering if anyone can help me and provide me information or help confirm certain cultural practices in Singapore?

  My project requires that I verify the information in my project by contacting someone who lives in the country.

  I am required to obtain an e-mail address and provide some biographical background on the person (or people if more than one). This is simply for my professor's sake to verify that I actually contacted someone, I'm not going to share information with anyone else. 

  I've been getting all my information from the Internet, some sources being:

  http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/singapore.html

  http://www.destination-asia.com/singapore/about/etiquette/

  http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00723/index_files/Page531.htm

  http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=182

  I'm just going to ask if certain aspects of Singapore culture are true or not or ask for some examples of cultural practices and customs that are unique or significant in Singaporean culture.

  Thanks for taking the time to read, and a response would be greatly appreciated.

  Also, if this wasn't the best place to ask please direct me to places where I can get help!

  Again thanks!

• storywolf

  12 Mar 14, 12:58

  Originally posted by topramen:

  I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I'm an American student looking for help with a project I'm doing about Singaporean culture.

  I was wondering if anyone can help me and provide me information or help confirm certain cultural practices in Singapore?

  My project requires that I verify the information in my project by contacting someone who lives in the country.

  I am required to obtain an e-mail address and provide some biographical background on the person (or people if more than one). This is simply for my professor's sake to verify that I actually contacted someone, I'm not going to share information with anyone else. 

  I've been getting all my information from the Internet, some sources being:

  http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/singapore.html

  http://www.destination-asia.com/singapore/about/etiquette/

  http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00723/index_files/Page531.htm

  http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=182

  I'm just going to ask if certain aspects of Singapore culture are true or not or ask for some examples of cultural practices and customs that are unique or significant in Singaporean culture.

  Thanks for taking the time to read, and a response would be greatly appreciated.

  Also, if this wasn't the best place to ask please direct me to places where I can get help!

  Again thanks!

  
  Hi toprmen,

  those site you got - are written by some western folks base on their preceptions.... which a lot of facts is totally outdated.  This is the 21 century - not the 60's or 70's

   

  
  

• JJxJJ

  13 Mar 14, 16:20

  
  

  A quick look & comment from the info on this site <http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=182>

  
  

  "Amongst friends and close acquaintances of the same sex, there is some touching during conversation, especially on the arms and hands. There is almost no touching between men and women while conversing"

  
  

  I don't think this applies to an awful lot of people.

  
  

  Views on Time - "However, the view of time is a little more relaxed in social situations as there is more emphasis put on people and relationships, rather than set schedules and deadlines."

  
  

  True. For eg. If my friends and I agree to hang out at 7pm.... I could expect one of them to text saying they'll be late and they'll be there at 7:30pm. Since there's no sense of urgency, we would all just take our time and finally meet each other at 8.. or slightly later 

  
  

   "Possessing and or chewing gum is illegal and can result in heavy fines or worse."

  
  

  Its okay to bring in small amounts for personal consumption. 

  
  

  and from <http://www.destination-asia.com/singapore/about/etiquette/>

  
  

  "Failure to flush the toilet after use can result in a SD$150 fine but the chances of getting caught are pretty slim. However, urinating in lifts can cause the doors of some lifts to permanently close until the police arrive, with the prospect of a hefty fine."

  
  

   What?