Singapore is a country of islands, situated in the Southeast of Asia. Here we bring you some amazing facts about Singapore you didn’t know. The island city-state is a global financial centre with a tropical climate and multicultural, multi-ethnic population.
Chinese ethnic group makes up 76% of the population. The rest are Indian, Malay, the rest, and Buddhism is the most wide-spread religion. Singapore is known for eclectic street fare, served in hawker centres such as Tiong Bahru and Maxwell Road. English is the language for politics and business.
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Capital: Singapore
Currency: Singapore dollar
Prime minister: Lee Hsien Loong
President: Tony Tan
Official languages: English, Tamil, Malay, Standard Mandarin
Government: Unitary Parliamentary Republic
Population: About 6million (2016 estimate)
Amazing Facts About Singapore
Here are 11 other facts about Singapore you would find amazing
1. ALL-IMPORTANT BODY LANGUAGE
In Singapore, people place a huge importance on body language. In fact, they read more meanings into the subtle gestures while you are talking than in exactly what you are saying. For this reason, it is important to be more careful about how you say than what you say.
2. WATCH YOUR HAND/HEAD
Be mindful of the position of your hands when you talk. Do not place your hands on your hips when you talk to Singaporeans. And do not cause offense by touching your head either. To Singaporeans, hands on hips means you are aggressive. And on the head is viewed as sacred.
3. SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Silence is golden in Singapore. When talking to Singaporeans, observe “windows” of silence every now and then. It means you are considerate of the person to whom you are talking, giving him/her a bit of time to contemplate what you have said.
4. LEARN TO USE SILENCE
When a Singaporean asks you a question, try not to answer it immediately even if you know the exact answer to give. He/she will take offense, believing that you don’t consider his question important enough to contemplate before answering it.
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5. INDIVIDUALITY NOT VALUED
Individuality does not mean much to Singaporeans. Instead, the concept of group, community, harmony, and mutual security are what Singaporeans value more. The family exemplifies this. And so the family is the bedrock of social structure, emphasizing unity, loyalty, and respect for the elderly.
6. “FAMILY” ENTAILS MORE
To Singaporeans, family is more than either nuclear, extended, or blood relations. Family includes all these and friends who are treated as family members. In family, one finds help and support; and respect for the elder is uppermost in family values.
7. “FACE” MEANS A LOT
Singaporeans are very sensitive people and so the concept of “face” is a huge one. “Face” means personal dignity. To this end, “face” is viewed as a personal commodity that can be earned, lost, given, and taken away. Face is, in fact, greater than the individual and can be extended to the family either in a positive way or negative.
8. HIERARCHICAL IN NATURE
A Singaporean would tell you he/she, and indeed the entire society, is egalitarian. But the strong hierarchical relationships in their society belie that claim. Such relationships can be seen in:
- Parents/children
- Teachers/students
- Elderly/young
- Employee/employer
Deference to the superior is part and parcel of Singaporean life.
9. LAW FOR AGED PARENTS
In 1996 a law was passed that made it mandatory for children to assume financial responsibility of their aged parents. This law underscores the high status of the elderly in Singapore. It also tells us something else…that the new generation is beginning to prefer individualism.
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10. DEPENDENCE ON GESTURES
The Singaporean society depends on group or community, not individual. For that reason, and especially when “outsiders” are around, people depend on gestures to know what family or group members feel. At such times, gestures are more trustworthy than vocal.
11. COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Singaporean communication is indirect, implicit, and subtle. Direct answers to questions are rare. Rather than say “No”, they would rather say, “I’ll try” or “I’ll see what I can do.” This is especially so when saying a direct “No” would hurt the one asking for a favour.
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