If you are planning a business trip to Singapore or you would like to set up a business in Singapore you may be wondering if the business etiquette is western or eastern; and the answer is both! You are pleased to learn that everyone speaks English and that education and business standards are high. The whole area is a major hub in Asia and services all Asian countries including China, the Philippines and the Pacific rim. Everything looks poised for success and you assume that meetings will go smoothly, however there are many cultural pitfalls you may not be expecting.
Without the help and guidance of a local professional in the same company or industry who can help with etiquette and introductions, it’s possible that someone may make serious missteps that could lead someone in Singapore to think that they are unprofessional, unfriendly, or just not worthy of trust.
Singapore General Business Guidelines
In general, a westerner in Singapore is seen to be good at business. This is because most people who come from the west all the way to Singapore are important business leaders. So, the good aspect is that they will usually give you the benefit of the doubt, at first.
The first thing to know is that Singapore’s business is driven by the government in ways that people from America and other countries may not be used to. Government officials are more important in Singapore as they can help for example, in the ease and speed of setting up a company. In addition, government business procedures are standardized, which makes doing business a great deal easier and more streamlined than in other countries, where red tape makes the process bumpy at every turn.
The next potential pitfall is that you can’t just catch a flight, go over and set up shop! You would need a resident or permanent citizen as your company Managing Director, even if you were forming a partnership or a strategic alliance. If you have not already been invited by an appropriate individual, finding someone could be a challenge. There are companies to help with that process, but the service can be expensive and the trust factor could be a showstopper.
For a foreigner it is almost impossible to start penetrating the market by himself. He needs to step back and let his local director or associate be the public face, purely to establish trust and credibility.
Both men and women in Singapore who are successful in business really know their job. There seems to be a government process and a lot of excellent education available to develop and follow strategies such as business planning and employee performance. Nothing is left to chance. Every opportunity is taken to make a profit or ensure a successful outcome.
When it comes to business culture, people are expected to do their jobs and expected to do their jobs on time. The workforce is particularly productive and very hard working. It is unusual for someone to procrastinate, to miss deadlines, or to be late to turn in reports.  They often work long hours by UK and European standards and there do not appear to be laws in place to limit employee work hours.
A newcomer to Singapore might want to bring in his own people to work from abroad, but the process is tedious and it is encouraged to use and train the local talent whenever possible. There is also the issue of cultural alignment and some cultures are more accepted than others. People from the US, UK and Europe are usually well accepted but not integrated, and there are many “expat” communities where people gravitate to socialize and to be with their own people.
Singapore Business Relationship Etiquette
Business etiquette is very polite. Many people in Singapore obey old traditions and want to continue to maintain them as their culture. They are not likely to be too effusive and friendly right away as you are being quietly assessed, but they will grow in friendliness over time when they trust you.
In particular, you’re always expected to be on time in Singapore. You will exchange business cards frequently. Always give and receive a card with two hands and treat the card with respect. Read and take in the information on the card, don’t put it away in a bag or pocket while in the meeting and never write on the card.
To get anywhere, you need to develop relationships with people, which can be difficult for an outsider. Over time, your network will grow, and you’ll be able to interact with people more successfully. In the US people form relationships quickly and time is of the essence in any business meeting. In Asia it’s important for visitors to realize that any business relationship takes time to form and deepen enough for business to take place at all. Gifts are an essential part of building the relationship. Never go empty handed. The gift can be simple but meaningful such as an item from your own country or a food delicacy or an ornament.
In business conversations people are very focused on an indirect approach. While work should be given and completed clearly, people will be polite when rejecting ideas, and you should be too. Most people will not give an outright “no” to something, but instead may say something like “we can discuss this later.” It is understood in this context that this can mean “no.” It may take some time to understand this type of indirect language—but the default should be to avoid stringent language altogether.
Singapore Greeting Etiquette
When meeting people, you are generally expected to shake everyone’s hand, but in Singapore because of the many cultures, you may also be expected to bow, which can feel unusual. In addition to that, you should shake everyone’s hands as you leave, too.
Try to be strict when it comes to etiquette in Singapore, as it will give you more of the benefit of the doubt. Even in an informal context, it’s better to be too polite than not polite enough. If in doubt ask your local host what is expected and what is considered impolite.
You should bow back if someone bows to you. If you’re unclear about the circumstances, try to bow at least as deep as the other person bowed to you. It’ll be understood if you make some mistakes, but it’s a great way to garner positive interest.
Singapore Meal Etiquette
In Singapore, as well as many other Asian areas, business is done over dinner and drinks. So, you can expect to be taken to many meals and you shouldn’t decline them. This is essentially a business meeting.
Usually, the host will order dishes and they will all be shared family style. Everyone will partake of the meals a little at a time. Chopsticks should be used for most food and spoons should only be used for liquids. If you’re not good at chopsticks, you could practice, as it shows that you’re interested in the culture and you take it seriously. However, most hosts are very understanding and ask for a spoon or fork substitute.
You should always wash your hands before a meal, and you should always at least try the food. Most will try to ask you if you want more food repeatedly and you will need to politely refuse at some point; otherwise, they may continue to try to feed you! Conversations will occur over the meal. If you don’t want an alcoholic drink you can let the waiter fill your glass but you never drink it. Or you can say you have an allergy and ask for something else. Learn more about Singapore’s business etiquette from our online or in-person course offerings!
Learn About Business Etiquette at London Image Institute
Do you want to learn more about international business? If you’re interested in the way that people interact in business all over the world, you might want to become an image consultant. Image consultants do the research and work closely with businesspeople to help them figure out how they can best interact with people from everywhere. Contact us: www.londonimageinstitute.com.
