Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Chinese 76%
Malay 15%
Indian 6%
Language
English is the working language while the official languages are Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Singlish,
which is essentially English generously peppered with local slang and dialects.
Business Culture:
Body language
Corporate culture
Dining and entertainment
Business gifts
Body Language
Corporate culture
Shake hands with everyone present at a business meeting. Shake hands again when leaving. A
gentle squeeze lasting 10 to 12 seconds is ideal Rememeber that Your handshake
should be firm.
Singaporeans may bow slightly as they shake your hand. A slight bow for Chinese or older people is
polite
Always talk straight and get right to the point with Singaporeans
Business cards are exchanged upon being introduced. Exchange business cards with both hands
after you are introduced.
Men and women do not traditionally shake hands, since Muslim men do not
touch women in public. Men and women may shake hands, but the woman
must extend her hand first
Dining and Entertainment
Business gifts
Gifts are presented and received with two hands, and opened after the presenter leaves
Gifts with connotation of cutting, such as scissors, are not appropriate as they symbolize conflict
For the Chinese, the number 4 rhymes with the word for death meaning that it is important not to
give anything in a set of four
Clocks are also considered inappropriate gifts, as the Chinese expression for giving clock has
connotations to death
For your Malay associates, avoid products made from pigskin and alcohol as these goods
contravene the laws of Islam.
A gift may be refused three times before it is accepted. This demonstrates
that the recipient is not greedy.
Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper as these are mourning
colours.
Flowers do not make good gifts as they are given to the sick and are used at
funerals.
Do bring fruits for children
Conclusions