Features of

business etiquette
in Singapore
Kostelnyk Yuliia
MEV-18a
 Introduction
Nowadays many companies become multinational due to the powerful worldwide process of
unification and strengthening of economic relations. People all over the world stick to common norms
and rules of international etiquette, but nevertheless, cultural characteristics can be very significant in a
conflict situation, which can affect business relations and the probability of possible cooperation.
Therefore, it would make sense to assume that compliance with cross-cultural features of international
business etiquette is the foundation of doing a successful business. Singapore today is the center of
business and finance in at least half of the world. Here you can run into ambitions and achievements.
This is a place that allows anyone who feels the strength to build an international business in a
transparent and understandable legal field
 Facts and statistic about
Singapore
Geographical location: South Asia, islands
between Malaysia and Indonesia
Capital: Singapore
Population: 4,353,893

Ethnic composition: Chinese 76.7%, Malays 14%, Indians 7.9%, other 1.4%.
Religions: Buddhism (Chinese), Islam (Malays), Christianity, Hinduism,
Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism.
Cia.gov. (2019). East Asia/Southeast Asia :: Singapore — The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency.
[online] Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html [Accessed 24 Dec.
2019].
  good name
 good character
 honor among peers

Reputation
and respect
in Singapore
 Hierarchy in Singaporean society

Older
people
are always
treated with
respect and
courtesy
 There are three main
ethnic groups:
Chinese, Malay and Indian

Ethnicity diversity in Singapore

 Nonverbal Communication in Singapore

 facial
expressions
 posture
 tone of voice
Analytics
 Greeting takes place according to a strict protocol, which is often based
on both ethnic origin and the person’s age. Younger people, or those
who work for multinational companies, may be adopting a Western spirit
to greet everyone with handshakes, but not in the case of elderly or
conservative Singaporeans.

Singapore welcome and greeting

Brody, M. and Pachter, B. (1994). Business etiquette. New York: McGraw-Hill.
 Building relationships and communication in
Singapore

Personal relationships are the basis of all business relationships. The key to a successful business
is a rotation in the right circle in the result of long personal relationships or dating. Here the culture
is focused on the group, so communication is most often based on ethnicity, education or working
in the same field. Always be polite and respectful in communication with others, it will help to
develop harmonious relations, which are so necessary for business. The rank is always treated with
respect. Older man surrounded by especially revered. The majority of Singaporeans very polite.

Corbin, A. (2019). Singapore Business Etiquette | Business Culture | Globig. [online] Globig.co. Available at:
https://globig.co/blog/a-quick-guide-to-business-etiquette-in-singapore/ [Accessed 16 Dec. 2019].
 Etiquette business meetings in Singapore
Business negotiation is preceded by a small talk. To ask questions of senior individuals is
prohibited, you can encourage questions after the presentation of his presentation. Don't forget to
smile after you receive a question. The presentation should contain statistical information – charts
and figures including.. Always send in advance a list of people that will attend the negotiations, with
the indication of their position and title. Better to wait until you indicate a place that you can take, in
this question adheres to a strict hierarchy. Business negotiations are conducted slowly.
Singaporeans are very accommodating.
Guide, S. (2019). Singapore - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. [online] Commisceo-global.com. Available at:
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/singapore-guide [Accessed 16 Dec. 2019].
Talks
in Singapore

Make an appointment at least two weeks before the date. The most formal way to schedule an
appointment is email, although most Singaporeans do it via phone, Fax or email. Do not attempt to
set up a meeting for the New year Chinese style. Most business establishments during this period
(end of January/beginning of February) does not work for a week or more (almost like in Russia). To
come to a meeting, you need time. Punctuality is a virtue.
 Business Cards

▸ exchange business
cards using both hands
▸ gold color
▸ pristine condition

Gesteland, R. and Gesteland, M. (2010). India - cross-cultural business behavior. Frederiksberg: Copenhagen Business
School Press.
Dining
Indian and Malay food is eaten only with the right hand. But sticks are not
Etiquette customary to leave on a plate. They are placed either on a special stand or on a
table. Chopsticks can only be used for food. In no case should not be shown with
chopsticks at a person and objects! If the serving, for example, includes two
spoons, then they eat a porcelain spoon, and metal - put food on a plate.
Singaporeans themselves are very deftly using both chopsticks and a spoon at the
same time.
If you completely clean your plate, you may find that your host insists that you 
eat more; if you leave something, it means that you are full and satisfied. Finger
bowls are usually designed to clean hands before and after eating.
 An account of any
preliminary findings
Surprising and interesting facts
o Singapore is the 4th leading financial center in the world after
London, New York and Hong Kong; more than 130 world banks are
concentrated here. The inflation rate is kept at 2-3%, and according
to the rating of the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore is the
most competitive city in Asia in terms of doing business.

o Singapore is one of the 9 countries in the world where sales of new

Apple technology begin. Here, as well as in the USA, a system is
widespread whereby iPhones are sold relatively inexpensively when
drawing up a contract with a mobile operator for several years.
 How to present a gift to a
Singaporean
- If you give flowers, avoid pink
jasmine, it is used in wreaths at a funeral.
Ethnic - It is desirable to present a gift with Ethnic
your right hand, or with both, if it is large.
Malay Gift - Hindus should not donate leather Chinese Gift
goods.

- Never give alcohol. - Before accepting, they can refuse

- Do not give toy dogs to children.
- Don’t give anything made from pigskin,
remember that Malays are Muslims.
Indian Gift
- It is desirable to present a gift with your
right hand, or with both, if it is large.
Ethnic a gift three times - this will show that
the person is not greedy.
- Do not give scissors, knives or
other cutting devices - this is a sign
that you want to break off relations.
- Flowers are not the best gift as
they are brought to the sick and used
(De Mente, 2004) at a funeral.
 Dress-code in Singapore

The way you are dressed shows whether you respect your colleagues or not. Due to the tropical climate,
men are not comfortable wearing suits. Nevertheless, be sure to wear a dark suit to meet with a high official.
For a meeting with representatives of the private sector, decent trousers, a white long-sleeved shirt and tie will
be decent. Women should be dressed in a modest dress, light suit or skirt and blouse, always with sleeves. The
skirt should be at least to the knee.
 Religion

Religion determines the attitude of believers towards work, consumption, personal responsibility and
planning for the future. Since one of the main religions in Singapore is Islam, it is important to consider the
influence of this religion on business. Islam, which supports capitalism, places a greater emphasis on the
individual's obligations to society. According to Islam, profits made through honest business transactions have
a right to exist, but the company should not receive profits from the exploitation or deception of people. All
Muslims should be benevolent, fair, and modest in their interactions with other people.
 Recent
trends
(news)

Singapore authorities want to pass a law against fake news on social

networks, in particular on Facebook, the founder of which previously
called on governments to become more involved in regulating Facebook.
Human rights activists are sure: such a bill would violate freedom of
speech. Experts call such interference on the Internet a “global trend.”
 Bibliography

1. Hiles, A. (2011). Reputation management. London: Bloomsbury, p.33.

2. Brody, M. and Pachter, B. (1994). Business etiquette. New York: McGraw-Hill.
3. De Mente, B. (2004). Chinese etiquette & ethics in business. Boston: McGraw-Hill
4. Gesteland, R. and Gesteland, M. (2010). India - cross-cultural business behavior.
Frederiksberg: Copenhagen Business School Press.
5. Corbin, A. (2019). Singapore Business Etiquette | Business Culture | Globig. [online]
Globig.co. Available at: https://globig.co/blog/a-quick-guide-to-business-etiquette-in-
singapore/ [Accessed 16 Dec. 2019].
6. Guide, S. (2019). Singapore - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. [online]
Commisceo-global.com. Available at: https://www.commisceo-
global.com/resources/country-guides/singapore-guide [Accessed 16 Dec. 2019].
7. Cia.gov. (2019). East Asia/Southeast Asia :: Singapore — The World Factbook - Central
Intelligence Agency. [online] Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-
world-factbook/geos/sn.html [Accessed 24 Dec. 2019].
 Thank you
for your attention!
Any questions?