Five Interesting Singaporean Quirks!
In Singapore, we have some habits and ways of doing things that might be different from you. In this guide, we will share five interesting things that make Singaporeans unique. Get ready for a fun tour of the different things that make our country special!
See a tissue packet on a hawker centre table?
A true blue Singaporean practice at the hawker centre is to claim, or "chope" your lunch spot with a tissue packet. The term "chope" is a Singlish twist on "chop", and it means to reserve a table. You may sometimes see other items like umbrellas, water bottles or bags serving the same function as well.
Calling everyone "Uncle" and "Aunty"
In Singapore, it is a common practice to address someone older than us as "Aunty"for ladies, and "Uncle" for gentlemen. It is just our go-to way of addressing them without needing a name. It's all in good spirits and a dash of respect.
Fastest walkers in the world
Did you know? According to a British Council study, Singaporeans are the number one fastest walkers in the world, followed by people who live in Copenhagen and Madrid. Do not be alarmed when strangers say "excuse me" and brush past you on the pavement. This is just our fast-paced lifestyle.
Queuing culture
Queuing in Singapore is practically a national sport. Whether it's for food, waiting for the MRT, ascending an escalator, buying the latest gadgets, or concert tickets, Singaporeans will line up after one another in an orderly fashion. It is considered bad form to jump the queue or to not be aware of a line behind you. So look out for them!
Conversing in abbreviations
As part of our practice to be as efficient as possible in speech, we default to shortening these common terms. It will take a while before you get used to it, but if you are unsure what your Singaporean friends just said, be sure to ask!
For a start, here are some common abbreviations:
PIE - Pan-Island Expressway, the main expressway that links the island from East to West
ERP - Electronic Road Pricing, a form of road usage tax that affects mainly car owners
ECP - East Coast Parkway, another expressway. It can also refer to the beachside park
GST - Goods and Services Tax, our consumption tax
MOM - Ministry of Manpower. You can't not know this one :)
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