Always remove your shoes, socks and hat and wear long
trousers and long sleeves prior to entering a Mosque, or Temple in
Singapore.
Women entering a mosque must wear a long cloak and
head-covering, which are usually provided at mosques for the purpose.
Non-Muslims may not enter a Mosque during times of prayer. Footwear should also
be removed before entering a Singaporean home.
Owing to the multicultural diversity in Singapore, the
type of greeting may depend on ethnicity. The handshake is widely recognised as
the main greeting. However, it is not generally acceptable Malay women to shake
hands with a man, though she may with another woman. The proper form for a man
to greet a Malay woman is to place his hand on his heart and bow slightly.
In Chinese culture, handshakes are light, and it is
acceptable for a man to shake hands with a woman, but the protocol is for the
woman to offer her hand first. Indians normally handshake only with their own
sex, and a smiling nod is the acceptable greeting between sexes.
Never point. If you need to attract attention, motion
with the palm of your hand. Never touch anyone on the head. It is a common
gesture in many societies to affectionately ruffle the hair of children, but
the head is considered sacred in Asian cultures and such gestures will not have
the intended effect.
Overt public displays of affection between couples is
frowned upon, particularly in traditional areas, and shows disrespect to the
native culture. As male homosexuality is still technically illegal in
Singapore, gay men should exercise caution in this regard.
Tipping for services in Singapore is not mandatory and in
general unnecessary, but will be accepted by Taxi drivers, tour guides,
restaurant and hotel staff.
When dining among the Malays, eating with the hand is
common and care should be taken to use only the right hand and never the left,
which is considered unclean. Never lick your fingers afterwards. If eating with
a fork and spoon, the fork is used for prodding and manipulating food on the
plate but eating should be performed with the spoon.
If dining among Chinese, Chopsticks should be used only
for eating and never employed as a means of gesturing, drumming or placing in
your hair. When you have finished your meal place the implements together level
across the top rather than leaning into the bowl, and on no account leave the
chopsticks pointing straight up as this is traditionally interpreted as either
obscene or even a curse or omen of death.
It is not the practise anywhere in Asia, especially for
women, to touch a monk, or even their robes.