Your next destination will be Singapore. The only thing you know about it is that it is on an island nation. What do you think will happen? How likely is it you’ll be able to move around as you please? Is the city clean? Is it safe for a woman to go there by herself?
Many people plan a trip, make a list of everything they need to do, and then expect everything to go perfectly. The truth is that too much of certain things could let you make bad decisions.
You’ve probably heard about the tourist-friendly tips for Singapore by now, but I bet you didn’t know there were so many Do’s and Don’ts in Singapore to maintain. Let’s learn a little bit about them.
Singapore Travel Dos and Don'ts
Singapore is a popular vacation spot, so it gets a steady stream of visitors all year long. Usually, some of these visitors may upset locals by not following rules that are foreign to them. Also, Singapore is known for its harsh punishments, like caning and mandatory execution for crimes like cheating, murder, and rape. It also has strong punishments for crimes that seem minor, like smoking or flushing. Actually, the city is clean and well-run because there are strict rules about how people should act in public.
The name “The Fine City” for Singapore is not a bad one. If you’re a tourist and want to get the most out of your trip, it’s in your best interest to follow all the rules and laws. People who are new to Singapore should learn the dos and don’ts of the country so they can settle in easily and avoid getting fined a lot of money.
Do's
There are a few things you should always remember to do when in Singapore.
Make Sure you Walk in Public the Right Way
When Singaporeans use escalators or stairs, they stand on the left and walk on the right. So, if you’re going up an escalator, step to the left to make room for people walking. Singapore also has bike lanes and footpaths for people to walk on. Don’t walk in the bike lanes; instead, walk on the paved walkways. This makes things easier and less frustrating.
Singaporeans make sure that everyone gets their turn by forming orderly lines. You can use these lines to order food or get on a train. Newcomers should watch how the people who live there act. Join the line instead of cutting in.
Be Respectful of the Culture and Locals
To gain the respect of the natives, you should act as conservatively as possible. Singapore is home to Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Taoists. So, to avoid offending anyone, it’s best not to talk about sensitive subjects like religion and politics.
Moreover, asking for permission before taking a picture of someone or going into a mosque or temple is also common in Singapore, as is taking your shoes off at the door.
People in Singapore are both friendly and respectful to their elders. When talking to people who are much older than you, it is common and proper to call them “Aunty” or “Uncle.” This is a nice way to show respect for your older people.
Whenever you can, Take Public Transportation
Taking the MRT or any other form of public transportation in Singapore is not only the fastest and most cost-effective way to get around, but also the cheapest. The MRT, which stands for the Mass Rapid Transit system, makes it easy to get around Singapore. In a similar way, many of Singapore’s best attractions are close enough to an MRT or bus stop that you can easily walk there.
Follow the Liquor Laws
Try their Amazing Hawker centers
Street food doesn’t have a great name around the world, but in Singapore, you can eat at a hawker center without worrying. In fact, these booths, which you can find all over the country, are where you can find some of the best food from each region. A hawker center is a place where you can get cheap, tasty food like Nasi Lemak, Singapore Laksa, Char Kuey Tiao, Roti Prata, and a lot of other dishes.
Keep in Mind that Locals Reserve Tables
As there are so many people who go to hawker centers, it is common for people to hold a table while they order their food. People leave things like tissue boxes, umbrellas, and water bottles on the table to claim it as their own. So if you see any other belongings on the table, your best bet until then is to keep looking for a new table.
Always have Some Cash in hand
Drink Water from the Tap
Singapore has such high hygiene and safety standards that even the tap water is clean. Because of strict safety rules, both tourists and locals can drink safe water. Even though it’s hot and humid in the tropics, staying hydrated is easy because tap water is usually free for customers in most restaurants.
Don'ts
Don't do Jaywalking on the road
Even though Jaywalking looks harmless, this behavior is actually very dangerous for drivers and pedestrians and could cause long delays on the highways. In Singapore, jaywalking is most often defined as crossing the street outside of a designated crosswalk.
Always use the pedestrian crossing lanes when crossing the street to avoid a big fine and keep yourself and others safe from accidents.
Don’t Leave Any Kind of Tip
Tourists in Singapore can be surprised to learn that they don’t have to tip their waiter or other people who work in the restaurant industry. Tipping isn’t expected in Singapore, just like it isn’t expected in Japan.
Most restaurant bills in Singapore already include a 10% service charge. The Goods and Service Tax (GST) is added to every payment in Singapore, so you’re already tipping.
Don't Feed the Wild Animals and Pigeons
By fining people who feed wild animals, the government is trying to stop a practice that makes it more likely that people and animals will fight.
If you are caught feeding any wild animal, even a baby, you could get in trouble with the law. First-time offenders can be fined up to S$5,000, while repeat offenders can be fined up to S$10,000. This Singapore travel tip is for you if you also like to feed pigeons. In Singapore, you can get a fine of up to S$500 if you feed pigeons.
Don’t Join Random Wireless Networks
Wireless@SG, the city’s free public Wi-Fi, can help you save money when you’re in Singapore. If you’d rather have a reliable Wi-Fi connection all the time, you can rent a pocket Wi-Fi device or buy SIM Card data.
In Singapore, there are serious consequences for “hacking” into someone else’s network that is not secure. Under the Computer Misuse Act, using someone else’s Wi-Fi without their permission is illegal. The same penalties apply as for hacking: up to three years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Don't Smoke in Public Places
Don't Litter or Spit in Public Places
Littering and spitting in public are taken very seriously in Singapore, a country that is proud of its reputation for being clean.
In the media and in movies, it is often said that Singapore has very clean streets where people can walk around without worrying about trash. A fine of up to S$1,000 could be given to a first-time offender. If someone breaks the law again, they could get a Corrective Work Order and a fine of up to S$2,000.
The rule that you can’t spit in public is just one of a long list of rules that are important for keeping a city clean and healthy. If you are caught doing this disgusting thing, you will have to pay a $1,000 fine. If you are caught spitting, you might have to pay a fine or do community service cleaning a certain area.
Don’t eat Food and Drink while Riding Public Transportation
Don’t Forget to Flush the Toilet
If you don’t flush the toilet when you’re done in Singapore, you’re breaking the law and local standards of behavior. You’ll have to pay a fee if you get caught. Section 16 of the Public Cleansing Act says that you could be fined up to S$1,50 if you don’t flush the toilet after using it.
Parting Words
As there are more “Do’s” than “Don’ts,” it’s clear that there are lots of things to do in Singapore as long as you keep an open mind and act decently. Now that you know what to expect in Singapore and what to avoid, you can book one of the Singapore vacation packages and start making plans for your trip.
We hope that these travel tips for Singapore will be helpful to you.
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