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ASEAN  CROSS-­‐CULTURAL  EXTERNSHIP  PLACEMENT  COUNTRY  BACKGROUND    

1. Singapore  

Singapore   is  a  sunny   island  one  degree  north  of   the  Equator.  We  are  affectionately  known  as   the  Little  Red  Dot  as  we  are  not   large  enough  even  been  detected  on  the  world  map  and  are  annotated  by  a  red  dot  instead.  It  is  summer  all  year  round  so  be  sure  to  pack  for  a  hot  and  humid  weather.  

2. History/Background  

After   starting   out   as   a   fishing   village   in   the   18th   century,  Singapore  became  a  port  and  colony  under  the  British  empire  in  1819.  After  World  War  II,  Singapore  merged  with  Malaysia  briefly  between  1963  and  1965.  On  8  August  1965,  Singapore  became  an  independent  city-­‐state.  

Due   to   our   port   history,   the   country   started   out   as   an  immigrant   country.  We   thus  have  many   ethnic   groups.  Most  of   the  present-­‐day  Singaporeans  have  grandparents  or  great-­‐grandparents  who  were  the  initial  immigrants  into  Singapore.    

In   2015,   Singapore   is   turning   50   and   the   country   has   been  launching   many   campaigns   to   celebrate   our   progress   under  the  banner  of   ‘SG50’.  The  key  events  that  are  happening  this  year  include:  

5  to  16  June  2015  –  28th  SEA  (South-­‐East  Asian)  Games  

(https://www.seagames2015.com/)    

28  July  2015  –  Youth  Celebrate!  Will  be  held  at  the  new  Sports  Hub  with  2,500  performers  and  athletes  

(https://www.singapore50.sg/SG50/WhatsOn/2015/Youth%20Celebrate.aspx)  

7   August   2015   –   SING50,   a   pop   concert   celebrating   the  Singapore  music  scene  and  locally  produced  songs  

(http://www.sing50concert.sg/)    

7   to   10   August   2015   –   Jubilee   weekend   with   events   island-­‐wide  

(https://www.singapore50.sg/en/WhatsOn/2015/GJW/Jubilee%20Weekend.aspx)    

9  August  2015  –  National  Day  Parade  

(http://www.ndp.org.sg/)    

18  to  20  September  2015  –  F1  Singapore  Grand  Prix  

(http://www.singaporegp.sg/)    

November  2015  –  Opening  of  the  National  Gallery  Singapore  

(http://www.nationalgallery.sg/)    

December  2015  –  8th  ASEAN  Para  Games  

(http://www.aseanparagames2015.com/)    

More   information   about   all   the   celebrations   can   be   found  here:  (https://www.singapore50.sg/)    

3. Population  

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5.47  million  (as  of  Sept  2014)  

4. Main  Religions/Faiths  and  Ethnicities  

There   is   no   official   religion   in   Singapore.   The   main   religions  prevalent   are   Buddhism,   Taoism,   Islam,   Catholicism   and  Christianity.  

Singaporeans  are  made  up  of  4  main  ethnicities,   the   Indians,  Malays,   Chinese   and   Eurasians.   In   addition,   many   of   our  residents  come  from  all  over  the  world.  Many  Americans  and  Japanese  work  and  study  here.    

5. Main  Languages  and  Dialects  

English,  Chinese,  Malay,  Tamil,  Hokkien,  Cantonese,  Teochew  

Colloquially,  we  speak  a  mix  of  all  our  main  languages,  which  forms   a   informal   language   commonly   known   as   Singlish.   It’s  easy  to  sound  like  a  Singaporean,   just  add  a  “lah”  or  “leh”  at  the   end   of   your   sentences.   We   have   a   few   interesting  Singaporean   sayings   that   you   can   check   out   at  http://www.singlishdictionary.com/  

6. Political  System  Important  Information  

The   Prime   Minister   is   the   head   of   government   while   the  President   is   largely   a   ceremonial   role   in   Singapore.   The  President   is   elected   every   6   years   from   experienced  candidates  who  have  held  senior  management  roles.  

Singapore   has   a   dominant   political   party   called   the   People’s  Action  Party   (PAP)   that   has   been  elected   ever   since  our   first  cabinet   was   formed   in   1959   as   a   self-­‐governing   state   under  

the  British  Empire.  Our  active  opposition  parties  consist  of  the  Workers’   Party   (WP),   National   Solidarity   Party   (NSP)   and  Singapore   Democratic   Party   (SDP),   Reform   Party   (RP),  Singapore   People’s   Party   (SPP)   and   Singapore   Democratic  Alliance  (SDA).  

Singapore   has   a   Group   Representation   Constituency   (GRC)  system   whereby   a   group   of   3-­‐6   candidates   are   voted   into  parliament  as  Members  of  Parliament  (MPs)  for  the  area  that  they  stand  for  elections  at.  Some  smaller  areas  in  the  country  are   Single   Member   Constituencies   (SMC)   and   only   one  parliament  seat  is  for  contest  in  those  constituencies.    

While   the   Parliament   was   previously   almost   completely  dominated  by  PAP  members   (with  only  1-­‐2  opposition  MPs),  the  2011  General   Election  was   labeled  a  watershed  with   the  revived   opposition   movement.   It   marked   the   first   time   an  opposition  team  (from  WP)  had  won  a  GRC  seat,  bringing  the  count  of  opposition  MPs  to  6  out  of  87.  

The  upcoming  2016  General  Election  will  definitely  be  one  to  watch  given  the  changing  political  dynamics  locally.  

7. General  Legal  System  and  Laws  of  Everyday  Importance  

Singapore’s  courts  consists  of  broadly  the  State  Courts  and  the  Supreme   Court.   The   State   Court   includes   the   Family   Justice  Courts,   Magistrate   Courts   and   District   Courts,   while   the  Supreme   Court   houses   the   High   Court   and   Court   of   Appeal.  The  State  Courts  are  accessible  by  MRT  to  Chinatown  station,  while  the  Supreme  Court  is  near  to  the  City  Hall  station.    

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State   prosecutions   are   brought   by   the   Attorney-­‐General  Chambers   (AGC).   This   applies   to   all   criminal   cases   and   some  civil  action.  

The  State  Courts  and  Supreme  Court  are  open  to  public.  Most  Court   hearings   are   also   open   to   public.   If   you   are   lucky,   you  may  even  be  able   to   catch   some  of   Singapore’s  best   legal   in  action.  You  can  find  out  how  to  book  a  tour  from  the  courts’  respective  websites:  

-­‐ State   Courts  https://www.statecourts.gov.sg/Pages/default.aspx    

-­‐ Supreme   Court  https://www.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=1    

There  are  websites  curated  to  keep  track  of  the  latest  updates  in  the  courts  and  Singapore  law.  They  are  found  here:  

-­‐ http://www.singaporelawblog.sg/    -­‐ http://www.singaporelawwatch.sg/slw/index.php      

8. Crime  and  Punishment  

Singapore   is   very   tough   on   crime   and   its   penal   laws   provide  very   harsh   punishments   for   both   serious   crimes   and   also  somewhat   lesser  offences.    Singapore   is  particularly  harsh  on  drug   offenders   and   imposes  mandatory  DEATH   sentences   to  drug   traffickers   who   are   caught   trafficking   more   than  specified  amounts  of  various  classes  of  drugs.  Persons  caught  in   possession   of   or   consuming   drugs   are   also   punished  with  long   imprisonment   terms.     For   a   sobering   video   on   how   the  

Singapore   government   views   the   deterrent   role   of   capital  punishment   in   drug   offences,   you   may   want   to   watch   this  video:-­‐  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwYTDVRmGnc.  

Singapore   also   imposes   corporal   punishment   in   the   form   of  caning   for   the   more   heinous   and   despicable   offences,  reserved   for   male   offenders   under   the   age   of   50.   A   flexible  cane   of   1.2   min   length   and   1.2   cm   in   diameter   is   used   to  administer  a  maximum  of  24  strokes  on  the  bare  buttocks  of  the  offender.    There  are  about  30  different  forms  of  crime  in  Singapore   which   can   incur   caning,   including   drug   abuse,  possession  of  weapons,  kidnapping,  robbery,  sexual  abuse  and  rioting.   It   must   be   pointed   out   that   2   notable   offences   that  could  not  be  classified  as  heinous  also  attract  the  punishment  of   caning;   namely   overstaying   a   visa   by  more   than   90   days,  and  vandalism  (creating  graffiti  on  public  or  private  property).  Be  advised  not  to  treat  any  wall  as  a  canvas  for  your  ‘art’  even  when  feeling  inspired.  

Perhaps   unsurprisingly,   Singapore   has   relatively   low   crime  rates   and   is   generally   a   very   safe   country   to   live   in   or   visit.    However,  while  violent  crime  is  relatively  rare,  petty  crime  like  pickpocketing   and   shop-­‐theft   do   occur.     With   internet   use  becoming   a   way   of   life,   crimes   involving   internet   scams   or  credit  card  fraud  are  on  the  rise.    You  may  want  to  watch  this  rather  humorous   video  on   the  prevalent   crimes   in   Singapore  (please   note   that   the   ‘policemen’   featured   are   actors):-­‐  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eaKERGAS-­‐o.  

So,   please   remember   that   in   Singapore   LOW   CRIME   DOES  NOT  MEAN  NO  CRIME.    Please  be  careful  and  act  responsibly.  

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Lastly,   if   you   should   ever   get   into   trouble   with   the   law   in  Singapore,   you   need   to   know   your   legal   rights.     The   Law  Society  of  Singapore  Criminal  Practice  Committee  has  recently  produced  a  Pamphlet  of  Rights  to  educate  the  public  on  their  legal   rights   upon   arrest.     You   can   and   should   download   it  here:-­‐  http://www.lawsociety.org.sg/probono/pdf/KnowYourRights_English.pdf.  

 

9. Cultural  Do’s  and  Don’ts  

Talking  too  loudly  in  public  places  is  generally  frowned  upon.  

When   giving   namecards,   give   with   both   hands.   When  receiving  namecard,  receive  with  both  hands.    

Generally,   the   left   side   of   the   escalator   is   for   standing  while  the  right  side  is  for  walking.    

Gift-­‐giving  

Chocolates  and  tea  are  the  usual   farewell  gifts   for  colleagues  at   the   workplace.   Though   I   am   sure   your   colleagues   would  appreciate   it   more   if   you   give   them   something   special   from  your  own  country.    

Refrain   from  giving  clocks   to  your  Chinese   friends/colleagues  as  this  translates  to  送钟  (Song  Zhong)  in  chinese  and  has  the  sounds  the  same  as  送终   (Song  Zhong)  which  means  sending  the  deceased  off.  

Refrain   from  giving  pork   items  and  derivatives   to  your  Malay  friends/colleagues   as   this   might   be   against   their   Islamic  beliefs.  This  might  even  come  in  the  form  of  baked  goods  that  might  contain  pork  gelatin,  so  be  sure  to  check  if  you  intend  to  give  these  items.  As  a  general  guideline,   it   is  good  to  check  if  the   food   items   you   intend   to   buy   are   “Halal”   (prepared   in  accordance  to  Muslim  law).  Restaurants  or  food  products  that  are   certified   “Halal”   by   the   local   Muslim   authorities   would  have  this  logo:-­‐  

 

Refrain   from   giving   beef   items   to   your   Indian   and   Buddhist  friends/colleagues   as   this   might   go   against   their   religious  practices  as  well.  

10. Work  Place  Culture  Do’s  and  Don’ts  

Workplace  culture  varies  from  office  to  office.  However,  there  are  a  few  general  guidelines.    

As   a   general   rule,   try   not   to   browse   the   internet   leisurely  especially  when  you  are  assigned  work.    

It   is   also   seen   as   respectful   to   greet   everyone  at  work  when  you  come  in  for  the  day.  

11. Dress  Codes  Do’s  and  Don’ts  

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Office  

Mondays   –   Thursdays:   Office   formal.   For   gentlemen,   a   well-­‐ironed  shirt,  black  pants,  and  plain  black  shoes  would  be  fine.  Please  bring  along  a  tie  and  a  blazer   just   in  case  you  need  to  attend   a   formal   meeting.   Please   avoid   flashy   clothing   and  fanciful   accessories.   For   ladies,   blouse/shirt   and   knee-­‐length  skirt   would   be   fine   (bring   along   a   blazer   for   a   more   formal  look).    

Friday:   Most   offices   have   ‘Casual   Fridays’,   i.e,   a   dress-­‐down  day.  T-­‐shirts  and  jeans/trousers  are  the  usual  staple,  for  ladies  and  gentlemen  alike.    

Note:  if  you  are  going  to  court,  you  will  be  required  to  wear  a  white  collared  and   long-­‐sleeved  shirt  with  a  black  pencil  skirt  or  pants.   In  addition,  please  wear  black  covered  shoes  and  a  black  blazer.  

Others  

Generally,  there  is  no  social  standard  of  what  to  wear  and  you  should   wear   whatever   makes   you   comfortable.   However,  covered  shoes  may  be  a  requirement  for  some  restaurants.  

12. Cross  Gender  Do’s  and  Don’t’s  

The   guidelines   with   treating   someone   from   the   opposite  gender   are   generally   the   same   as   those   regarding   treating  someone  from  the  same  gender.  

13. Common  Communication  Challenges  and  Do’s  and  Don’ts  

Generally,   it   will   be   good   practice   to   email   any   relevant  documents  and  cc  any  other  person  who  might  be  involved  in  the  matter  so  that  they  will  be  kept  updated  of  any  changes  or  progress.    

It  will  also  be  good  to  reply  any  messages  as  soon  as  possible.    

 14. Types  of  Food  (Delicious  Foods  and  Foods  to  Watch  Out  

For)  

Singapore  offers  almost  every  cuisine  you  can  think  of.  What  is  unique   to   Singapore   though,   are  our   affordable   yet  delicious  hawker  fare.    

Some   famous   hawker   dishes   include  Hainanese   Chicken  Rice  (flavoured   rice  with   steamed  or   roasted   chicken),   Char   Kway  Teow  (fried  rice  noodles  with  cockles  and  meat),  Hokkien  Mee  (noodles  with  seafood)  and  Laksa  (noodles  with  spicy  coconut  curry  soup).    

Other   food   to   try   and  watch  out   for   are:   Satay,   Bak  Kut   The  (Peppery   Pork   Rib   Soup)   and   Bak   Chor   Mee   (Minced   Meat  noodle),  and  the  curry  puffs  (this  is  easily  available  at  the  Old  Chang  Kee  shops  across  the  island)    

We’re  only  just  starting  to  list  the  delicious  food  you  can  find  on   this   island.   You   can   check  out   our   huge   variety   at   a   local  food  blog  here:  http://ieatishootipost.sg/local-­‐food/    

 15. Eating  Etiquette  (Customs)  

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We  tend  to  wait  for  everyone  to  arrive  at  the  table  with  their  food  before  we  begin  eating  together.    

If   you   are   using   chopsticks   during   a  meal,   never   place   them  perpendicular  to  the  table  (e.g.  by  sticking  them  in  your  rice).    

When   sharing   food  with  people   you   are  not   very   close   to,   it  may   be   thoughtful   to   use   an   extra   pair   of   clean   chopsticks  instead  of  using  your  own  chopsticks.      

For   some   interesting   views   on   Singapore’s   eating   etiquette,  please  visit  http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/singapore/    

 16. Body  Language  Etiquette  (Customs)  Do’s  and  Don’ts  

Do’s:  

When  meeting  someone  for  the  first  time,  it  is  courtesy  to  shake   the   person’s   hand   firming   while   introducing  yourself.    It  is  polite  to  keep  a  little  bit  of  a  distance  even  in  crowded  situations  and  avoid  direct  contact  with  the  person  next  to  you.  

Don’ts:  

Folding  your  arms  is  sometimes  seen  as  being  antisocial.  Looking   away   while   talking   to   a   person   is   seen   as   being  rude.    

17. Transport/Getting  Around    

It  is  very  easy  to  get  around  using  public  transport  by  MRT  or  bus.  The  full  MRT  map  is  attached  below  as  an  appendix.  You  may  also  get  a   foldable   copy   from   the   control   station  at  any  MRT  upon  request.  We  use  a   travel   card  called   the   ‘EZ  Link’,  very   much   like   the   Rabbit   Card   used   on   the   Bangkok   BTS.  These  are  easily  reloadable  at  the  ticket  machines  situated  at  all  MRT  stations.      Public  transport  is  very  crowded  during  the  peak  hours  where  people  start  work  and  get  off  work  (7  –  9am,  5  –  7  pm),  so  be  sure  to  set  off  earlier  to  take  delays  into  account.  You  can  get  an   updated   MRT   map   at   the   control   station   of   any   MRT  station.    There  are  many  useful  apps  to  help  you  plan  your  journey.  The  Google   Maps   app   will   plan   routes   via   public   transport.  Alternatively,   you   can   plan   your   route   using  http://gothere.sg/maps.      Taxis   are   also   easily   flagged   down  by   the   roadside   or   at   taxi  stands   that   are   commonly   found   at   every   shopping   mall.    There   are   also   various   taxi   apps   that   you   can   download   to  book  a  taxi  for  an  additional  fee.    18. Money/Shopping/Item  Buying  Customs  

S$1  =  25.24  Thai  Baht  (as  of  13  May  2015)  

Our  currency  is  available  in  the  following  denominations:  

Coins  

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o 5  cents,  10  cents,  20  cents,  50  cents,  1  dollar  Notes  

o $2,  $10,  $50,  $100,  $1000    

Shopping  

Under  the  Electronic  Tourist  Refund  Scheme,  you  can  claim  a  refund  on  the  7%  Goods  and  Services  Tax  (GST)  paid  on  your  purchases  made  at  participating  retail  shops  before  you  leave  Singapore,   provided   that   the   purchase   is   above   S$100.   A  handling  fee  for  the  refund  service  will  be  deducted  from  the  GST  amount.      You   can   apply   for   the   GST   refund   at   the   departure   hall   of  Changi  International  Airport  within  2  months  from  the  date  of  purchase,   subject   to   satisfying   the   eligibility   criteria   and  conditions  of  the  scheme.      The  eligibility  criteria  include:  -­‐  You  have  not  spent  more  than  365  days  in  Singapore  in  the  last  24  months  before  the  date  of  your  purchase;  -­‐   You   have   not   been,   at   any   time,   employed   in   Singapore   in  the  past  6  months  before  the  date  of  purchase;  -­‐  You  are  16  years  old  or  above  at  the  time  of  purchase.    Some  goods  are  not  GST-­‐refundable:  -­‐  Goods  wholly  or  partly  consumed  in  Singapore  -­‐  Goods  exported  for  business  or  commercial  purposes  -­‐  Goods  that  will  be  exported  by  freight  -­‐  Services  such  as  accommodation  in  a  hotel,  hostel,  boarding  house,  or  similar  establishments,  car  rental,  tour  charges.    

For  more  information,  please  visit    http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/plan-­‐your-­‐trip/travel-­‐essentials/tax-­‐refund.html        http://www.changiairport.com/passengerguide/departure/gst-­‐refund      19. Housing/Accommodation  Do’s  and  Don’ts  

Generally,  wearing  shoes  inside  the  house  is  frowned  upon.    

Touching   the   owner’s   furniture/belongings   without   the  owner’s  permission  is  also  best  avoided.  If  you  are  looking  for  something,   it   is   polite   to   ask   the   owner   instead   of   looking  around  for  it  yourself.  

20. Visa  Information  

Nationals   of   most   countries/regions   (including   Thailand)   do  not  require  visa  to  enter  Singapore.    

To  find  out  whether  you  need  to  apply  for  a  visa  and  how  to  apply,  please  refer  to  the  following:    

http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/consular_information/foreigners_visiting_singapore.html        

http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=168    

21. Country  Information  Websites  

For  information  on  tourist  sites  and  more  in  Singapore,  check  out  the  following  websites:  

https://www.stb.gov.sg/      

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http://travel.cnn.com/singapore    

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/singapore    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

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