Although women represent a sizeable percentage of Singapore’s workforce, relationships between men and women on the island tend to be fairly traditional. Learn more about gender roles and the male-female dynamic.

Singaporeans generally have a pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude toward business; there are rarely hidden agendas. In this respect, the style is more like that of the United States and Europe than of other countries in Asia. Merchants and...

Singapore’s legal system is modeled after the British system. Although certain rules may favor indigenous people of the country, most laws and regulations apply to everyone. Similar to the system in Britain, there are several levels of...

The country of Singapore has four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. Malay is the island’s national or original language. Learn more about the cultural origins of this combination of languages and become acquainted...

Singapore has almost no poverty. In fact, its people are relatively rich. Most are either middle-class or better. The Singapore government urges islanders to be competitive and alert to economic opportunities and to strive to improve...

Singaporeans may seem at times to laugh inappropriately. This occurs most often when they’re feeling shy, nervous, or embarrassed. They sometimes laugh to hide other feelings or because they don’t know how to respond. Take care not to...

Traders came to the island of Singapore beginning in the thirteen century CE, and over the years commerce between Chinese, Arab, Indian, Thai, Malay, and Javanese traders resulted in a colorful mix of cultures and languages. Eventually...

Singapore is the cleanest city in Southeast Asia, but it’s also very hot and humid. This climate sometimes causes a few health problems that you should be aware of. Singapore’s hospital facilities and overall medical care services are on...

Singapore’s history as a British colony is clearly evident in its parliamentary system of government and laws, many of which the British imposed. Singapore has retained many of these institutions since independence, while slowly evolving...

Did you know that gift-giving is not a custom in Singapore in business situations? In fact, it could be construed as bribery. However, it’s perfectly acceptable to give someone, including a business colleague, a modest gift in a social...

As in Western organizations, the corporate structure in multinational companies in Singapore is becoming a lot flatter. On the other hand, staff members in Singapore are more respectful of management than in the West. The hierarchy...

Looking for tips for foreign managers in Singapore? To succeed as a manager in Singapore, you must have a basic understanding of the local business culture and its impact on management practices. Learn more about managing in Singapore,...

Distinctions among foreign-owned companies tend to depend on the culture of a business’s home country. As a rule, companies owned by Westerners encourage informality, employee participation, and change. American firms tend to institute...

Few places rival Singapore in culinary delights. Indeed, the variety and choice in places to dine and dishes to choose from are a source of tremendous pride and the island’s greatest attraction for tourists. Thousands of cafes,...

Singaporeans tend to keep business appointments, but that doesn’t mean that they’re always punctual. Unlike other Asians, Singaporeans do not rely on contacts to open doors and set up meetings. Cold-calling by telephone is considered...

There is a generally accepted ethical code in Singapore, and the vast majority of employees adhere to it. Honesty is expected in all transactions, both inside and outside of a company. Incidents of bribery or corruption are virtually...

From its early days of independence, Singapore set about becoming a major player in the competitive world of international business. Since 1968, the economic growth been enviable, and Singapore is among the most competitive nations in...

As in other countries, there are gestures and words that are considered rude or bad manners in Singapore. Pointing or waving with the forefinger, for example, is taboo. Even something seemingly innocuous like standing with your hands on...

Trust is important to the development of successful working relationships in Singapore as elsewhere. However, developing trust may take longer than in some Western cultures. Find out why, and explore some key strategies for fostering...

Singapore is truly a multiethnic society. Of Singapore’s population, about 78 percent are Chinese, 14 percent are Malay, and 7 percent are Indian. The remaining group includes a mix of Eurasians, Armenians, Arabs, and a smattering of...

Singapore's decision-making practices have been influenced by the island's colonial history and the government's autocratic style. Explore how decision-making is evolving with the younger generation, who value critical thinking and...

Customs among the Singaporeans vary greatly depending on an individual’s ethnicity and religion. Explore how the Chinese celebrate the Chinese New Year, which marks the beginning of the lunar year and is by far the most important annual...

Trying to make sense of the currency of Singapore? The unit of currency on the island is the Singapore dollar (S$). One dollar is divided into one hundred cents. Coins come in denominations of five, ten, twenty, and fifty cents. There is...

Singapore prides itself on being safe and relatively crime-free. You can go almost anywhere day or night with no fear of being harmed or hassled. Singapore is an especially hospitable place for women traveling alone. It’s unusual for a...