Customs of Singapore

Marriage and Family

ImagePeople choose their own spouses in Singapore. It is against the law for couples to live together or have children without being married. Traditionally, all three of the main ethnic groups in Singapore have encouraged large families. This created problems for many because of the limited living space, so in the 1970s the government launched a vigorous family-planning campaign.

The plan encouraged each couple to limit themselves to two children. It had such success that the population growth rate slowed to that of many Western nations and the government began to worry that there would not be enough young people to support the increasing number of old people.

Therefore, in the 1980s families were encouraged to have three or more children. The government even instituted a policy involving social engineering by setting up a Social Development Unit to encourage young people who had finished their education to meet and marry. Today, although families are much smaller than they were a quarter of a century ago, the old values of cooperation, loyalty, mutual support, and respect for elders remain firmly entrenched.

Eating

ImageRice is the dietary staple, and seafood is particularly popular. A wide variety of cuisine is available, from Chinese to Indian, Malay to Japanese, and French to Russian. The food markets serve delicious food at a fraction of the price of mainstream restaurants.

Singapore is a cosmopolitan society, and etiquette and eating habits vary according to the style of food being eaten and the people eating it. European-style utensils, although not as common as chopsticks, are often available. Some foods are eaten with a spoon, some with the hands.

Socializing

Specific greetings and other customs depend on nationality and age group. However, a handshake is the most common gesture of greeting, with the addition of a slight bow for the Chinese and older people. While various languages are used for greetings, English is common and acceptable. Between business representatives and other officials, the exchange of business cards often accompanies a greeting and is quite a serious ritual; the card should be held with both hands at the corners and studied carefully. It should not be bent or folded, as this indicates disrespect for the giver of the card.

Visitors are expected to arrive punctually for meetings and other events. Compliments are appreciated by hosts, but are politely denied for modesty’s sake. If a gift is given to a host or guest, it is not opened immediately. Shoes are removed when visiting religious buildings, such as temples, shrines, and mosques. Most families also require that shoes be removed before entering the home.

Recreation

Badminton, basketball, squash, tennis, golf (Singapore has more golf courses than any other city in Southeast Asia), sailing, and other water sports are all popular. Cricket, rugby, and polo also have their devotees. Horse races are both a social event and an outlet for the Chinese enthusiasm for gambling. Arts such as dance and music have become more established, and Singaporeans are keen on cinema and television, although censorship laws are strict. There is a strong interest in martial arts such as tae kwon do, and a number of senior citizens enjoy tàijíquán (t’ai chi ch’uan), an ancient Chinese exercise and fighting system, and the French game of pétanque.

Holidays and Celebrations

The national holidays include International New Year (1 January), Chinese New Year (date varies according to the Chinese lunar calendar, usually in February), Easter (including Friday), Labor Day (1 May), Vesak Day, Singapore National Day (9 August), and Christmas Day (25 December).

Vesak Day, during the fifth lunar month, celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and attainment of nirvana of Buddha. It is the holiest of Buddhist holy days and is celebrated with candlelit processions around temples and the decoration of homes with paper lanterns. National Day commemorates the gaining of Singapore’s independence in 1965. A dazzling parade flows through the streets, and traditional dances and fireworks are featured in the celebration.

Hari Raya Puasa is a feast at the end of the Islamic month-long fast of Ramadan. This feast in Singapore is unique because other religions are welcome to join in a celebration that expresses tolerance and renewal. Hari Raya Haji is a holy day of prayer for Muslims who have performed the pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah), which is one of the tenets of Islam. Animals are ritually sacrificed, and the meat is distributed to the needy at mosques and public stadiums.

Deepavali (Festival of Lights) is important to Hindus and Sikhs and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Thousands of lights decorate stores and homes, and the festival is celebrated by all people in Singapore as a time of goodwill.

Although the International New Year is observed, the Chinese New Year is a much more impressive celebration. Traditional activities engaged in at this time include making offerings to household gods, cleaning house, settling personal debts, wearing newly purchased clothing, and feasting on large meals. Three of the hallmarks of this celebration became so because they were thought to frighten away evil spirits: the color red, bright lights, and noise (including firecrackers).

The Festival of the Nine Imperial Gods, in the first nine days of the ninth lunar month, derives from an ancient Chinese cleansing ritual. Elaborate symbolic rites are observed at this time; for example, to enter a temple, one must cross a specially built bridge, and it is believed that the evils of the year are shed as one crosses the bridge.

Source: Encarta Interactive World Atlas