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Travel Tips
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- Traveling to Singapore
- Dress for business (and airport security) success
- Airline clubs offer rebooking, comfort, other perks
Traveling to Singapore
Editor’s note: Global business, and subsequently, global business travel, continues to expand rapidly. In response, CWT Traveler will provide to readers each month in 2008 insights and tips on traveling from North America to other countries around the world. This month’s installment focuses on Singapore.
In business:
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Punctuality and planning are of the utmost importance. It is considered insulting and impolite to keep a Singaporean executive waiting. Make appointments at least two weeks in advance, if possible.
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English is the language used for instruction, business, and government, as well as for most other transactions. Spoken English often has inflections that can lead to misunderstandings.
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People in Singapore often wait 10 or 15 seconds before responding to a statement, so it is imperative to allow a respectful pause for a response.
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Use your most advanced technical proposals. Singapore is aggressive about innovative training and technology in their schools and industries. They are committed to not be left behind in the high-tech arena.
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Singapore is thirteen hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +13).
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Successful business relationships are based on strong social relationships and food is highly important in Singapore culture—take advantage of any invitations to social events. No business will be discussed at events where spouses are present.
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The pace of conducting business is slow in Singapore compared to in the West. A complicated business deal will probably require several trips over a period of months.
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Dress conservatively in Singapore. Businesswomen may wear business suits (skirts or pants)—in deference to Muslim and Hindu sensibilities, blouses should cover at least upper arms and skirts should be at least knee length. Office attire for men is dark pants, light-colored long-sleeved shirts, and ties without jackets (be prepared to wear a jacket if it seems appropriate). Some men wear short-sleeved shirts and no ties.
Good to know:
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Singapore has three major ethnic groups: Chinese, Malay, and Indian; and four official languages: Malay, Tamil, Chinese, and English.
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Singapore has no official religion. Singaporeans come from many ethnic groups: Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Sikh. The Chinese may follow Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.
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The handshake can be complicated in Singapore because of the ethnic and religious diversity and attendant gender-specific protocol. The usual Asian handshake, a rather gentle handclasp of 10 seconds or so is the most common handshake for the younger or foreign-educated Singaporean. It is acceptable for a woman to nod upon introduction rather than offer her hand. Men should not shake hands with a woman unless she offers her hand first.
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Singapore is exceptionally safe and clean. It has many laws with which travelers should acquaint themselves before arrival as these laws apply to natives and foreigners equally. These laws include no littering, no nonprescription chewing gum, no illegal drugs, no pornography, no weapons, no jaywalking, no spitting, and no smoking in public places. These laws are diligently enforced and criminals can be sentenced to caning among other things.
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Sustained eye contact is considered hostile and threatening; intermittent eye contact is preferred by all ethnic groups in Singapore.
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Standing tall with hands on hips will be interpreted as an aggressive and angry gesture.
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The comfortable personal space between people is 2 to 3 feet apart. A bit further for Indians.
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Many Indians and Malays consider the head to be the seat of the soul—never touch someone’s head, not even to touch the hair of a child.
Source: “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Best selling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries,” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway. Published by Adams Media of Avon, Massachusetts
Dress for business (and airport security) success
Packing for a business trip is an arduous task—going through security at the airport even more so. However, with a little planning, and a few key tips and tricks, both can be made much simpler.
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Wear plastic instead of metal (buttons, belt buckles, etc.).
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Wear shoes that slip on and off.
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Keep your pockets empty.
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If you must have metal, stash it in your carry-on in a plastic bag. When you get past security, pull out the bag and attach whatever you choose.
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Pack versatile clothes with a limited color variety. To perk up this limited selection, accessorize with jewelry, ties, or scarves.
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Err on the side of minimization instead of over-packing. Your destination has shops and dry cleaners—take advantage if you need to.
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If you need clothes covering different climates or seasons, ship the clothes to your destination and ship the unnecessary clothes home.
With all of the changes in security at airports, it is not hard to forget certain aspects of the regulations and get caught in screenings. Taking a few precautions before you get to the airport can save time, hassle, and stress.
Sources: MSNBC, Suite101.com
Airline clubs offer rebooking, comfort, other perks
Airline clubs, around since 1936 when American Airlines launched its “Admiral’s Club” program for its preferred customers, are now open to anyone who can afford them. And they can make travel more pleasant in today’s chaotic airports, especially during delays and cancellations.
Amenities vary and may include: comfortable seating, free beverages, work stations, wireless Internet, a number of guest passes, power outlets for recharging equipment, and phones. But the best accommodation provided may be the ability to rebook cancelled flights and get seat assignments. Clubs and amenities vary by program and by location, so members should check with their specific club for details.
Airlines offer day passes, best for the infrequent traveler who has time at the airport and wants to spend it productively, with prices ranging from about $25 to $50. Annual memberships, which may be better suited to the frequent traveler, can be purchased with either money or frequent-flier miles, can range from $400 to $500, with “initiation fees” and discounts in some cases. Some of the airlines’ annual memberships offer reciprocal privileges with other carriers.
There are also non-airline clubs offered through Priority Pass and Diners Card to name a few.
Source: MSNBC
