10 things you need to know about Singapore before visiting there

1. Efficiency and effectiveness are key. Don’t be good; be the BEST, be DISCIPLINED, and continually improve.

This is a HUGE contrast to India, where I spent three weeks prior to coming back here. In India, you can thrive if you are good enough to beat the last guy. In Singapore, you will not make it. Everything this country does pushes its limits and forces it to stand out amongst its peers.

This mostly stands out in minimizing bottlenecks and increasing operational efficiency and throughput. 

Everything–from immigration clearance, to getting a ride with Grab, to ordering food at a restaurant BEFORE you sit down, to showing you exactly where the bus is on Google Maps, is set up to minimize bottlenecks and speed up each process.

People are in a hurry, but they are not running around with their hair on fire and wasting energy. The government and businesses have created methodical processes to follow, which brings me to point #2.

2. Everyone plays the same game and follows the same rules. Singapore is a fine city--and it is going to stay that way for a LOOOOOOONG time! 

Everyone plays the same game and follows the same rules. No littering, no cutting in lines, no being cut off in traffic. The rules of "no ____" or "report ____ to (phone number)" are published EVERYWHERE, (some of them are laundry lists!) If you break the rules, you are punished.  

To further instill discipline, all Singaporean males have a 2 year NS (national service) requirement. This means joining the military, serving as a police officer, or working in the civil defense force (fire fighting, EMT, or disaster management). Women can also join if they choose to. 

Singapore argues that NS brings out a shared mentality and experience amongst Singaporeans, instilling a sense of duty, shared experiences, and common resolve. 

Singapore's education system is also very strict. It is officially bilingual with English being mandatory for inter-ethnic communication while students still receive education in their mother tongue to learn more about their roots and culture from outside of their home. Within schools, students are expected to do their best, be honest and polite, and expect others to follow suit.

3. The rule of law is very strong and swift; punishment is seen as fair in their eyes. 

Fair does not mean kind or gentle. Breaking laws in Singapore = you will be punished. It happens both to Singaporeans and foreigners alike. 

Singapore still uses the rattan cane to punish offenders for particular crimes; and has a mandatory execution penalty for major drug crimes, including importation of narcotics. Both of these have caused a ruckus for countries which forbid capital and corporal punishment.

Prison is no holiday; although I've never been (and have zero plans to check it out!) it looks like mix of Japanese and western prison. The prison forces compliance with a BIT more freedom than Japan to transform behavior of offenders so they can contribute to society once they are released--usually a VERY long time.

5. Stability, comfort, and public safety = #1 

Singapore is largely safe 24/7, but that doesn’t mean there is no crime. 

Everywhere you look, you will see CCTV cameras,  both private and public. They are everywhere: in and outside of businesses, at the entry way to public bathrooms, hotel elevators and corridors, and on street corners. Everything you do is monitored, and if you are a victim of a crime, there is a good chance the perpetrator can run, but he/she won't hide for long. 

Singapore has lots of weird and strange crimes. (check any of their local news sites such as Channel News Asia or Mothership). Most of them are weird fetishes like upskirting on staircases, weird break-ins, and molestation on public transportation.

6. Domestic politics is largely a no-go. International politics is on everyone's mind.

Singapore is largely a one-party state, despite having the power to elect their leaders. Singaporeans vote and have elections; they’ve overwhelmingly chosen the PAP (People’s Action Party) started by Lee Kwan Yew to rule since the country has founded. 

Protests against the government are allowed, but they must be orderly, held in a specific area called 'speaker’s corner,' and only Singaporeans can speak against the government's action/inaction. These protests cannot disrupt the balance of Singapore’s social order in the country. Mass protests are illegal, and foreigners are not allowed to participate.

7. Singapore is incredibly wealthy. When your parents were kids, it wasn't at all. 

The Singaporean government had had long-term economic vision to use Singapore’s geography to its full advantage. Singapore had developed into a major trading port while a British Colony, and after leaving the Malayan Federation, it's really all the country had besides its common law legal system. 

Singapore used modern technology, largely air conditioning and port infrastructure combined with free trade to become the country that it is today. 

Now, it looks to capitalize more and more on finance and international finance, largely taking over where Hong Kong was 10 years ago. There are tons of finance jobs available and many multinational companies are putting their Asian HQ in Singapore as it is well-connected globally, stable, and prosperous. 

8. Food is very important to Singaporeans and a big part of their identity. 

Food serves as an easy gateway to connect Singaporeans together and with foreigners. Everywhere you go, from malls, to street corners, you will see tons of local food, franchises, and hawker stalls.

Hawkers are like an outdoor food court, where many Singaporeans will eat and interact with each other. There are many types of cuisine, from Chinese, to Malay, to Indian, and even some western. Each Hawker stall has tons of metrics to show cleanliness, the quality of nutrition from each meal, and a business certification. These are very inexpensive places to interact with locals and get a tasty meal at a low price. Just be sure to follow the rules and clear your tray at the end!

9. Singaporeans believe in the private sector with strong government oversight. 

Smart government investment in the private sector and public/private partnerships built Singapore's industrial base. Entrepreneurship flourished in the past and now Singapore is a major hub for business incubation in the region. 

All facets of Singaporean society (military, public leadership, private sector leadership) fostered trust for over 30 years to develop long-term policies (including trying to bridge major powers such as the US and China) which have brought the country to where it is today. The government under Lee Kwan Yew set a standard, and now must continue to hold the line and improve itself and processes to further Singapore's standards of living. 

10. Singaporeans love to travel, and many have travelled the world. 

Since the country is so small, most leave the country often for taking a vacation/holiday. They often don’t get a lot of days off, but will maximize their time abroad. Most Singaporeans love to learn about different cultures, go hiking/trekking, and try different foods, but are very safety conscious. 

Some popular faraway spots for Singaporeans are: Japan, Korea, Australia, NZ, Canada, and Europe. Some visit the states, but many are afraid of violent crimes.

Some popular spots in the neighborhood are: Chiang Mai, Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, and Malaysia. 

Flights are super cheap within Asia, especially from Singapore. You can save hundreds by booking a ticket to Singapore, and then a second ticket to another destination in the region (KL, Bali, Jakarta, Lombok).  

If you are in Asia, be sure to swing by Singapore and see the country for yourself. You will be thoroughly impressed--even if passing through the airport, and no doubt will want to visit again!

If you have questions about the country, the airport, or need a hand planning your trip, shoot me a message!