Career
Abroad is the ideal guide to facts on work culture abroad. Do's
and don'ts on etiquette, work ethics and conversational pleasantries,
find them all here.
At Home in Singapore
An
Indian going to Singapore should feel quite at home there, especially
if he's a Tamilian! Tamil happens to be one of the four official
languages of Singapore (the other three being: Mandarin, Malay,
and English.) Singapore is a multi-cultural country and has a
large population of indigenous Indian people. Here are a few things
you must know before you travel to Singapore.
•
Greetings
Handshakes are the most common business greeting in Singapore.
Wait for your Singaporean counterparts to initiate the handshake
before you extend your hand. It is acceptable for women to shake
hands with both sexes, but they are expected to initiate the gesture.
Alternatively, they may simply nod politely when introduced.
•
Corporate
culture
Be punctual for business appointments. When Singaporeans meet
foreign business people for the first time, business cards are
exchanged. Hold your card with both hands when you are giving
it (it should face the recipient so he can read it) on receiving
it. When someone gives you his card, read it carefully before
putting it away. Put your card in a cardholder. Keep the card
on the table during discussions. Try to give a card to everyone
in the group. You'll need to keep a large reserve ready.
In Singapore, hierarchy reigns (People even enter a room in
hierarchical order!) Singaporeans are reserved in nature and
very polite, especially in business settings. Never raise your
voice, lose your temper or appear to be aggressive. Speak in
calm, quiet tones. When asked a question, don't answer straightaway!
Pause and appear to give it sufficient thought before you answer.
•
Diplomacy
is a valued trait in Singaporeans.
They rarely say give a direct "No". "Yes" can mean everything
from "I agree" to "maybe". Giving an evasive answer, silence
or completely ignoring your question may indicate a negative
answer.
•
Social
etiquette
When invited to a Malay or Indian home, remove your shoes before
entering. If you are unsure how to properly eat a dish or which
utensils to use, follow someone else's lead. Learn how to handle
chopsticks before arriving in Singapore. You may be offered
the option of a fork but asking for it may be interpreted as
a lack of effort to adapt to the surroundings. When you have
eaten your fill, leave a little on your plate. A thoroughly
empty plate suggests that you are still hungry. Avoid discussing
religion, sex politics and human rights. A few things to remember
:
-
As a general rule, avoid touching anyone, especially those
of the opposite sex. In Singapore it may be seen as aggression
or flirtation.
- Pointing with a finger is considered rude. Use your entire
hand with the palm up to bring attention to a person or an object.
- Displaying the sole of your foot or the bottom of your shoes
is considered disrespectful and rude to some Singaporeans. So
try to avoid crossing your legs unless you are seated behind
a table or desk
- If you plan to host a party and there are Muslims in the group
- select a restaurant, which serves halal food.
- Never chew gum in Singapore. This could get you arrested!
- Don't smoke in shopping centres, restaurants, and cinemas
or in places like buses, lifts etc. A maximum fine of S$1,000
is imposed on first offenders.
- Don't litter (or spit in) public places. Singapore has very
stringent laws on cleanliness, to say nothing of very heavy
fines.
- At customs, be specific when you declare the number of items
you're carrying (Don't say a 'couple' of bottles of whisky when
you are carrying three or four). A couple means two!
- By being well informed about this fascinating country and
by speaking of it favourably- you can create a lasting impression
on your Singaporean business associates and help you clinch
that coveted deal!
