Joanna James
Travelling to Singapore can be an exciting yet daunting experience as it is a land with quite a lot of rules that one should abide by; not to mention the variety of customs practised among the natives. Here are seven things that you should know while touring Singapore.
A regular misconception among many foreign tourists is that natives in Singapore cannot speak English. It is quite the myth as English is taught as a primary language in almost every school in the country. The last thing you want to do is go up to natives and assume they don't speak English. So better keep this in mind!
Standing to the left when you're using an escalator is considered as an unspoken rule among the Singaporeans. The practice has been popularised as a part of a campaign of the country to promote courtesy. If you stand to the left, those who are in a hurry can rush past you from your right side.
Although smoking is not illegal in Singapore, there are designated places that you can indulge in this particular activity. People are prohibited from smoking at public bus stops, sheltered walkways, and indoors. Foreigners may have to look for smoking points that are scattered throughout the country. If one is caught smoking outside the allocated areas, he or she may have to pay a minimum fine of $1000.
All public buses and trains have seats allocated for pregnant women and the differently-abled people. These seats can be spotted closer to the entrance as it would be easier to get down. Although other people can use these seats as per their wishes, everyone is encouraged to give up the seat for anyone who might need it more.
Most restaurants and cafes impose a 10 percent service charge on top of the overall bill. Therefore, it is not considered as neglecting of courtesy if you don't tip the staff. But tipping isn't illegal in Singapore. Consequently, you can always go ahead and tip if you feel like the staff really deserves it!
If you see a packet of tissue on a table while you're hunting for a spot to enjoy your sizzling meal, do note that the particular seat is reserved by someone else. This peculiar habit of the natives has been in practice for a long time, and it would be common courtesy to acknowledge that.
The Liquor Act in Singapore prohibits anyone from consuming alcohol in public venues and the sale of alcohol in retail outlets between 10.30 p. m. to 7 a. m. If one is caught going against these rules, he or she may be severely penalised with up to $1000 in fine or one whole month in prison. But you can enjoy the warmth of liquor in the comforts of your hotels. In Orchard Road, Singapore, there are many properties that you can use to indulge your freedom, such as those properties offered by chains like Park Hotel Group.
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