5 Quirky Customs Unique to Singapore – The Nation of Singlish!

What is Chope culture you wonder? Well, it's a system of saving a seat, which means that you leave a packet of paper tissues on a chair you want to save at a hawker food stall. This rather quirky and unwritten rule is honoured by most locals. Although, some do not and simply sit where they please, which results in arguments of course.

Singapore is made up of varied ethnic groups and you must visit the hawker food stalls to savour the marvellous food culture that is at the root of Singapore's population. These famous eateries are the local's favourite spots to dine because the best dishes in Singapore are available there. Even guests choosing to stay at the best luxury hotel in Singapore visit the hawker food stalls. And amongst these, popular hotels like Grand Park City Hall, offer easy access to the best street food markets in Singapore. Hawker culture is so much a part of Singaporeans' lifestyle that most locals you make friends with will tell you about the best hawker street to enjoy a certain type of dish. And they won't be wrong!

That's right, you can get into loads of trouble for chewing gum in Singapore! The nation's fight with gum is a long-standing one. And it all escalated when miscreants decided to cover sensors with gum, which caused a huge disturbance to public transport. And so, in 1992, it was decided that the sale and consumption of chewing gum in Singapore should be banned. This law has not been lifted to date even though Wrigley, one of the leading chewing gum manufacturers in America, managed to add gum as a part of free trade agreements with Singapore. Only medical gum, sold on a doctor's prescription is allowed in Singapore, and using any other type of chewing gum will result in you being landed with heavy fines.

Drug traffickers in Singapore are dealt with the most severe form of punishment. So are those accused of petty crimes. The case of the 18-year-old American studying in Singapore and found guilty of vandalising street signs is a good example. The boy was punished with a caning even though the President of the United States himself pleaded on his behalf. So, remember the law is not bent for anyone in Singapore. And no matter your crime you must deal with the consequences in the toughest form.

When travelling in Singapore you will hear many people being addressed as uncle or aunty. You may feel suspicious hearing people you believe to be total strangers addressing each other as aunty or uncle. And true, they are most likely not related. The terms are merely a way of showing respect to the elders. So, if a young Singaporean you are talking to addresses you as aunty or uncle, it simply means he's showing you respect.