Singapore - Guidance please
Discussion
So I'm off to Singapore for 2 weeks on an exchange, so I set to researching cultures, history etc. I came across an interesting fact, chewing gum is against the law and you can be arrested if caught. I was just wondering if anyone else knows of any other laws that would affect any westerner that would go un noticed in our culture?
Ah - My favourite country.
We could learn a thing or 2 from them.
I'm sure singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, cleanest and IMO the most beautiful.
As for the chewing gum offence - I'm sure it only if you spit it out onto the street. Similarly you would probably get a fine in the UK for it (littering) if you did it in front of a copper in a bad mood.
Nice disciplined people with respect.
We could learn a thing or 2 from them.
I'm sure singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, cleanest and IMO the most beautiful.
As for the chewing gum offence - I'm sure it only if you spit it out onto the street. Similarly you would probably get a fine in the UK for it (littering) if you did it in front of a copper in a bad mood.
Nice disciplined people with respect.
So there are a few urban myths about Singapore out there, some vaguely grounded in truth. However, there are also a few 'laws' which are not really enforced..
Chewing gum on the underground is NG, having gum in your pocket is OK. Chewing gum anywhere else is OK, spitting it out is NG, anywhere.
Drugs are a major issue, severe punishments abound - just having drugs in your blood stream (they will test you with suspicion!) at the port of entry could be construed as trafficking, and subject to the death penalty.
Homosexuality is illegal, but there a number of gay bars, and the law is not enforced.
Prostitution is illegal, but they are everywhere, and subject to health checks and licences.
Having/being responsible for stagnant water is NG (Singapore is virtually mosie-free)- so be careful you don't over-water pot plants, etc.
Eating Durians in public is NG - they smell like s
t but don't actually taste bad at all.
And there are many more 'peculiarities' besides those - although it is a few years since I was resident there, so some things may have changed. Whilst there I never gave a second thought to anything above,and I'm no angel, I just lived according to the local culture - when in Rome and all that. It's a great place with great food, weather, and lots to see and do - enjoy!
Chewing gum on the underground is NG, having gum in your pocket is OK. Chewing gum anywhere else is OK, spitting it out is NG, anywhere.
Drugs are a major issue, severe punishments abound - just having drugs in your blood stream (they will test you with suspicion!) at the port of entry could be construed as trafficking, and subject to the death penalty.
Homosexuality is illegal, but there a number of gay bars, and the law is not enforced.
Prostitution is illegal, but they are everywhere, and subject to health checks and licences.
Having/being responsible for stagnant water is NG (Singapore is virtually mosie-free)- so be careful you don't over-water pot plants, etc.
Eating Durians in public is NG - they smell like s
t but don't actually taste bad at all.And there are many more 'peculiarities' besides those - although it is a few years since I was resident there, so some things may have changed. Whilst there I never gave a second thought to anything above,and I'm no angel, I just lived according to the local culture - when in Rome and all that. It's a great place with great food, weather, and lots to see and do - enjoy!
EdBarrett said:
So I'm off to Singapore for 2 weeks on an exchange, so I set to researching cultures, history etc. I came across an interesting fact, chewing gum is against the law and you can be arrested if caught. I was just wondering if anyone else knows of any other laws that would affect any westerner that would go un noticed in our culture?
Singapore is the most western country/city state in Asia. Chewing gum is fine - you can buy 'medical' chewing gum from pharmacies. I've lived here for 2 years, and as long as you don't act like a tt, do drugs or fk up other people's property, then you're fine. 
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