ASIANOW - City Guide - Singapore

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Singapore : cityscan
passport/visa requirements | language | currency | health advisories | voltage requirements | business hours | dress | tipping and taxes | population | area of city | province/state | weather | city holidays | sales or use tax | crime | emergency number | area code | time/temperature | time zone | business practices/attire | city rules

Visas not required for Commonwealth citizens, British passport holders and Republic of Ireland citizens for a stay of up to 14 days. Others will need visas. All visitors, however, should have passports valid for at least three months from the time of arrival, onward or return tickets and sufficient funds for the length of their stay in Singapore. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.

The national language is Malay. The official languages are Chinese, Malay, English and Tamil. English is understood and widely used in commerce, business and day-to-day life. Street signs, roads, maps and hotel names are all in English. Communication between Singaporeans of whatever race commonly employs Singlish, an interesting blend of English with the dialects of Cantonese, Hokkien and Malay. Singlish is truly indigenous and has a somewhat entertaining ring to it. Don't be surprised if you hear the taxi driver say "Okay lah?" (lah is often added at the end of the sentence). Certain shorthand phrases of English have also worked their way into the mainstream dialect: Your sales assistant may say "Can or not?" during your fitting, wondering simply if the item meets with your approval.

The currency is the Singapore dollar (S$), which divides into 100 cents. At press time, the exchange rate was S$1.13 for one Australian dollar, S$2.76 for one British pound sterling, S$1.18 for one Canadian dollar and S$1.72 for one U.S. dollar.

Note: All prices in this report are in local currency.

Tropical diseases such as yellow fever, typhoid or cholera are not prevalent in Singapore. Travelers should consult their physicians, however, about getting a gamma globulin inoculation to protect against hepatitis A, which can be contracted through eating seafood (particularly cockles and raw oysters) from contaminated waters. Other inoculations may be advisable for those planning to travel more widely in the region.

The authorities have stringent standards for water treatment, so tap water is safe to drink anywhere on the island. Food sold on the streets and in food outlets is equally safe, as long as it's been freshly cooked. All food outlets are issued a hygiene rating by the Environment Ministry, ranging from an "A" to a "D." Rating certificates are prominently displayed at all food stall fronts and entrances. But do be careful when eating seafood (especially raw), and avoid anything that doesn't smell and look exactly as you're accustomed to seeing it. Generally speaking, sanitation standards are on par with industrialized countries.

Singapore's electricity voltage is 220-240 volts, and three-prong plugs are standard. Some hotels have 110-volt outlets. Most hotels have transformers that can convert the voltage to 110-120 volts for hair driers, shavers or other electrical appliances.

Business hours are generally Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm, Saturday 9 am-1 pm. Shopping hours are usually 10 am-9:30 pm daily.

In such a cosmopolitan and multicultural city, diversity is the operative word when it comes to styles of dress. Wearing outfits common to any of the four main cultural groups is acceptable almost any time of the day, anywhere and for whatever occasion. However, as the weather in Singapore is warm and humid most of the time, light summer clothing (especially natural fibers) is recommended. "Smart casual" is the operative phrase, which means shirts (long or short sleeved, but not T-shirts), trousers (not jeans) and shoes (not athletic shoes). Smart casual is acceptable everywhere except for formal business dining or when specified in an invitation.

Tipping is not required in Singapore and is discouraged in hotels and restaurants where there is a 10% service charge. You may, however, tip when the bill does not include a service charge or when you feel the service has been exceptional. No tips are paid to taxicab drivers.

3,160,000.

The total land area, including that of the smaller islands, is about 247 sq mi/641 sq km.

Although Singapore is an island city-state, its increasing population has resulted in the formation of town councils to administer each suburban district.

Hot, humid, rainy climate with little variation in temperature. Heaviest rain in November, December and January. Average temperatures: Jan 73-86 Fahrenheit/23-30 Celsius; Feb 73-88 F/23-31 C; Mar 75-88 F/24-31 C; Apr 75-88 F/24-31 C; May 75-89 F/24- 32 C; Jun 75-88 F/24-31 C; Jul 75-88 F/24-31 C; Aug 75-87 F/24-31 C; Sep 75-87 F/24-31 C; Oct 74-87 F/23-31 C; Nov 74-87 F/23-31 C; Dec 74-87 F/23-31 C.

Holidays in Singapore are based on Gregorian and ethnic or religious calendars. The fixed holidays are these: 1 Jan, New Year's Day; 1 May, Labor Day; 9 Aug, National Day; and 25 Dec, Christmas.

The remaining 1999 dates for the moveable holidays are these: 7 Nov, Deepavali (Tamil New Year).

The 2000 dates for the moveable holidays are these: 8 Jan, Hari Raya Puasa or Eid al-Fitr (celebrates the end of Ramadan); 5, 6 Feb, Chinese Lunar New Year; 16 Mar, Hari Raya Haji; 21 Apr, Good Friday; 18 May, Vesak Day; and 26 Oct, Deepavali (Tamil New Year).

The airport departure tax is now incorporated into the price of air tickets when applicable. The 3% Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is similar to the value-added tax (VAT) common in Europe, is now immediately refundable. This tax applies to all goods that have been imported into Singapore for sale, and upon reexport, the tax will be refunded. As a visitor, you may qualify for a refund if you spend a minimum of S$300 on goods displaying the tax-refund logo (receipts can be accumulated) and if the goods are taken out of the country within two months of purchase.

After making purchases, ask for a GST shopping check (have your passport with you to verify your eligibility for a refund). Before you check your bags at the airport, customs officials will verify your goods and stamp your check. Bring the check to the Asia Tax Free Shopping refund counter for an immediate refund in either Singapore dollars or one of nine other major currencies, via cash, a bank draft or a transfer to a credit card.

Singapore has earned the distinction of being one of the most crime-free countries in the world. The streets are quite safe at all times of the day and usually even at night. Still, occasional pickpockets and purse snatchers prey on unsuspecting victims. No specific areas on the island are crime prone, but do avoid dark and secluded streets, especially if you're alone.

For police, dial 999; for ambulance services, dial 995. To reach Samaritans of Singapore (SOS, a nonprofit help hotline), dial 1800-221-4444.

The country code is 65; no city code.

For the time, dial 1711. For the weather, dial 542-7788.

Singapore is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Singapore does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

Conducting business in Singapore is relatively easy. The island has an excellent communications and transportation infrastructure, and Western business services are readily available. Because most people speak English, language seldom acts as a barrier. Businesspeople in Singapore expect the people they're dealing with to be punctual for meetings and dinners. They give and receive business cards with both hands after the handshake upon meeting (admire the card for a few moments before putting it carefully away). Meetings might take place anywhere - in boardrooms or restaurants. Because of the humid tropical heat, businesspeople seldom wear suits. Most wear casual clothes, though men do wear ties.

The severity of some of Singapore's laws may surprise foreigners. Trafficking in narcotics is punishable by death. The sale and importation of chewing gum is banned, but you can bring small quantities into Singapore for your own personal use. (Possession is not an offense.) Smoking in air-conditioned areas is illegal. Littering and jaywalking are fined. There are also tough penalties for motorists caught using a mobile phone while driving, an act viewed as reckless behavior. Speeding is also frowned upon, with several speed-trap cameras installed around the island.

Information prepared by Weissmann Travel Reports
Copyright © 1999 by Reed Travel Group. All rights reserved.