Singapore culture

Singapore is a cultural melting pot. There are distinct and long lasting cultural influences here from Chinese, Malay, Indian and British cultures, all of which have contributed in administrative and less tangible ways to the evolution of modern Singapore.

The present day city state is an independent and distinctive entity of its own, however. Singapore is a unique country with a set of cultural laws and expectations all of its own.

The famous laws of Singapore are what strikes most first time visitors as their first taste of the local culture in Singapore. There is no chewing gum on sale in Singapore – for example. This is because chewing gum is against the law in Singapore, as are many such things that are considered the norm in other parts of the world.

Oral sex is only recently legal, though it remains illegal for same sex partners. For people used to traveling through what is the comparatively permissive region of Southeast Asia, Singapore will seem conservative.

In general, Singaporeans do tend to be less demonstrative than their neighbors – Singapore is probably best compared to a hybrid of Malaysia and China. It has the heat and tropical colors of the former, and the rigidity and formality of the latter.

Food is a staple part of Singaporean culture and locals of all backgrounds share the national love of eating at all times of the day and night. Wheras people in other parts of the region may come together over alcohol or religious festivals, Singaporeans are more likely to be found huddled together at any of the city’s innumerable eating houses.

Religion is free in Singapore. Many religions are practices and healthy communities of Buddhists, Muslims and Christians co-exist peacefully and all are legal and encouraged.