This is a PowerPoint I created with the information compiled on Singapore. This is not a school or university project, it is for my own doing. Please read disclaimer. Disclaimer: None of the information is my own, sources are listed at the end. This is just a PowerPoint I created by compiling information from other sites. I am not claiming the information as my own. The purpose of this PowerPoint is to provide information about different cultures and learn more about the world around us.

1. Republic of Singapore

2. Disclaimer
 Disclaimer: None of the information is my own,
sources are listed at the end. This is just a
PowerPoint I created by compiling information from
other sites. I am not claiming the information as my
own. The purpose of this PowerPoint is to provide
information about different cultures and learn more
about the world around us.

Enjoy!

3. Basic Information
 Founded as a British trading colony in 1819; gained
independence in Aug. 9, 1965
 “Its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of
tonnage handled”
 Climate:

Tropical; hot, humid, rainy;
two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December
to March)
 Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms


4. Basic Information Continued
 Population
 Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4%
 Language
 Official languages
Chinese (Mandarin) 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Tamil 3.2%
 Malay is the national language
 English is the language of business and administration


Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%,
Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none
14.8%

5. Basic Information Continued
 Government: parliamentary republic
 Elections held every five years
 The President is Head of State and presides for a six year term
 Since 1993, President has been democratically elected
 There are 24 political parties within Singapore
 The People’s Action Party has been dominant party since 1959
It has won every election since
 Currently holds 82/84 seats in Parliament

 Legal System: English common law
 Suffrage: 21 years old

6. Economy
 Successful free-market economy
 Open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita
GDP higher than that of most developed countries
 Economy depends on exports, particularly in consumer electronics,
information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing
financial services sector.
 Real GDP growth averaged 8.6% between 2004 and 2007. The
economy contracted 0.8% in 2009 as a result of the global financial
crisis, but rebounded 14.8% in 2010, on the strength of renewed
exports, before slowing to 5.2% in 2011 and 1.3% in 2012, largely a
result of soft demand for exports during the second European
recession.

7. Economy Continued
 Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new
growth path that focuses on raising productivity, which has sunk
to an average of about one percent in the last decade.
 Singapore has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals
and medical technology production and will continue efforts to
establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech
hub
 Industries
 Electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling
equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber
products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore
platform construction and life sciences

8. Economy Continued
 Home to over 7,000 multinational corporations,
which use Singapore as a base for their business
operations
 Considered a gateway to other parts of Asia and it is
easy to travel to and from the country

9. Imports vs. Export
 Import Partners

Malaysia 10.6%, China 10.3%, US 10.2%, South Korea 6.8%, Japan
6.2%, Indonesia 5.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.5%, UAE 4.1%
 Import Commodities

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs,
consumer goods
 Export Partners

Malaysia 12.3%, Hong Kong 10.9%, China 10.8%, Indonesia 10.6%,
US 5.5%, Japan 4.6%, Australia 4.2%, South Korea 4%
 Export Commodities

machinery and equipment (including electronics and
telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, refined
petroleum products

10. Broadcast media
 State controls broadcast media
 Eight domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp
which is wholly owned by a state investment
company; broadcasts from Malaysian and
Indonesian stations available
 Satellite dishes banned

11. Greetings
 Greetings are strict and based on ethnic origin and
age
 Younger people, or ones who adopted western
concept, shake hands with everyone, older people
don’t
 Shake hands with everyone present when you enter
and leave, firmly
 Singaporeans may bow when they shake hands, if
they do bow back especially with Chinese
Singaporeans

12. Names & Greetings
 They are diverse people so ask how they would like to
be addressed
 Professional titles should be used when relevant
 Singaporeans from a Chinese background will use a
Western name instead of traditional name

It’s acceptable in this case to address person by adopted
Western name
 Singaporeans from Malay or Indian backgrounds
may have difficult names, so ask someone to spell it
out

13. Names & Greetings Continued
 People from Malay background adhere to Muslim
naming patterns
 Singaporeans from a Hindu background are referred
to by father’s name first, followed by given name


This applies to females until they’re married
Married women use their husband’s first name followed by
their personal name

14. Conversations
 When speaking, don’t lose face – have self-control
 Instead of saying no, be indirect to avoid offending
your counterpart
 Conversation Topics


Refrain from asking questions of a personal nature, instead
focus on business or small talk
Welcome topics


Food (esp. Singaporean food), travel, recreation, future plans,
Topics to avoid

Potentially subjective subjects: race, religion, politics, criticizing
Singaporean culture

15. Body Language/Gestures
 Acknowledge and respect your elders/superiors
 Stand up when they enter a room
 Avoid sitting with your legs crossed in front of either
elders/superiors – place feet flat on floor
 Personal space should be observed
 Touching


Tolerated in some degree
Physical touching between heterosexual couples is common
than friendly contact between members of the same sex
 If people from the same sex hold hands, it shouldn’t be
assumed that they are homosexuals
 Eye Contact: Moderate level

16. Nonverbal Communication
 Rely on facial expressions, tone of voice and






posture
Nonverbal > Verbal
Subtle, indirect, implicit
Not direct, hint at what they are trying to say
Don’t say no, they go around the word to maintain
harmony
Silence is important in their communication
Pause before response to show deep thought

When people answer quickly they see it as rude and
thoughtless

17. Nonverbal Communication Continued
 Handshakes

Ethnic Chinese
 Shake
Hands, grip lightly, long
 Woman must extend her hand first if man and woman shake
 Introductions are always done in order of age or status.

Malay
 Only
men shake hands
 Don’t shake hands with woman, aren’t allowed to touch
them
 May shake hand with foreign women, but it’s better to bow
the head

Ethnic Indian
 Shake
hands with their own sex

18. Nonverbal Communication Continued
 Never touch a person’s head. The head is considered
sacred.
 The foot is considered unclean since it’s at the
bottom


Don’t point with your foot
Don’t tap or fidget because it shows disinterest.
 Hands
 Raise hand for attention
 Don’t point with forefinger
 Don’t put your fist in a palm
 Forearm jerk is rude

19. Business
 Business cards should be printed in English
 When giving the card, hold with both hands with print facing
the person whom you’re giving it to
 When receiving, use both hands and look at it for a moment
before neatly putting it away
 Business meetings/appointments must be made a
week in advance
 Recommended to attend any social events b/c it’s an
important part of business


Respond in writing
If you can’t make it, send someone to take your place

20. Business Continued
 Structure
 Hierarchy and status important
 Top-down structure
 Decisions made at senior management




Subordinates avoid questioning/criticizing superiors
Senior members introduced first
Seating determined by status
Women big part and hold managerial positions
 Relationships
 Build good rapport before conducting business
 Consider relationships more important than company work for

21. Business Continued

Singaporeans are cautious and want to do business with the
right person  develop good relationships to demonstrate
good character
 Light handshakes, but not too weak
 Don’t speak loudly, be composed
 Don’t have blunt attitude
 Yes doesn’t always mean yes
 Avoid saying no to keep face
 Don’t make intense eye contact with elders and
seniors
 Don’t be impatient

22. Business Continued
 Social events revolve around food
 Know dietary restrictions relevant to different ethnic/religious
groups
 Grabbing coffee or golfing are activities for building
rapport between business partners
 Be on time, it’s an insult to Singaporeans if you make
them wait
 For social events, it’s flexible


Some arrive on time others a bit later so they don’t look
anxious
Don’t show up too early unless you’re close to them

23. Business Continued
 When conducting business, maintain relationship
 Business decisions based on intuition and subjective
feelings
 Hard working, productive and competitive so it’s
wise to display similar traits
 Don’t lose face



Speak in a calm tone, exhibit self-control, don’t use angry
responses
Treat elders with respect
Avoid “no,” usually give hesitant “yes” answers

24. Business Entertainment
 Mostly over a meal (usually dinner)
 Develop relationships rather than business talk
 Host orders all dishes, sometimes they put it in the
middle and share
 Don’t have pre-meal appetizers or drinks

25. Food
 Diverse, food culture evident in wide offers
 Rice is popular
 When dining with Singaporeans, sample all offerings
 Avoid searching and picking through when serving
 Chopsticks should be rested when talking and after a few bites
 When dining with Indian Singaporean’s prevent
spoons from touching the plates
 If you’re a guest compliment and thank your host

26. Drinking & Behavior
 If you’re with Muslim counterparts avoid drinking
 Consuming alcohol with meal or social function is
widespread among other Singaporeans
 Strict laws





No littering and spitting (fined if caught)
No smoking in public areas
Business cards are given with 2 hands
Don’t cut in line
Don’t shout and have a clam demeanor

27. Gift Giving
 Anti-bribery laws, gifts to business or gov’t officials
will most likely be refused


One can offer a large gift to a group or individuals with small
inexpensive items
Give gift in public if you must
 There are gifts to avoid
 Avoid giving clocks, sharp objects or handkerciefs to Chinese
Singaporeans
 Avoid alcohol, pork or pigskin products for Malays
 Avoid giving Hindu Indian’s beef or catle products

28. Cultural Values
 ‘Kiasu’ = ‘fear of losing’
 Singaporeans competitive
 Want to be the best
 Reflects value of work ethic
 Face
 Control behavior especially in public
 Avoid criticism
 Indirect communication
 Diversity
 Value diversity and appreciate differences

29. More on Face
 FACE
 Face = dignity
 Prized commodity can be given, lost, taken away and earned
 Basically your reputation
Good name
 Character






What makes Singaporeans want harmony in relationships
Control their behavior and keep emotions in check
Not confrontational and don’t critique people openly
Indirect communication style
Lost face = bad reputation  losing influence

30. Cultural Values Continued
 Group > Individual

Harmony and mutual security important
 Family is center of social structure
Unity, loyalty & respect for elderly
 Includes extended families and close friends

 Respect for elderly is significant

31. Sources
www.cia.gov
 Singapore cultural sensitivity notes by Curtin University of Technology
 Doing Business in Singapore
