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Dos & Don’ts
There are plenty of don’ts in Singapore – which is sometimes referred to as ‘a fine city’. Yes, you can get fined for spitting, littering or using abusive language. Smoking is banned in all government buildings, air-conditioned restaurants, shopping malls, sports complexes, and at taxi stands and bus stops. On the other hand you can walk down the street with a can of beer in your hand. Contrary to popular belief, chewing gum is not prohibited, but bringing it into the country or selling it is.
Do not ‘jaywalk’ (cross a road within 50m of a pedestrian crossing or amble across on anything other than a perpendicular path to the pavement). Vandalism, such as graffiti, may be considered a prank or misdemeanor in many countries; in Singapore it carries a mandatory three strokes of the cane and jail.
Do not be rude to the police – they are accustomed to being treated with respect. Then again, don’t tolerate any impolite behaviour from them either; if you are ill-treated it is worth making a complaint as rude behaviour by any public servant is not tolerated by the government.
There is a sense among foreigners (who haven’t lived here) that this ‘fine city’ might be uncomfortably uptight. On closer examination, most of these rules are about treating the country and its citizens with respect and having consideration for other people. For those who appreciate these values, Singapore may come as a refreshing breath of fresh air.
If you are contemplating consuming illegal drugs, you must be mad! Singapore has an absolutely zero tolerance policy – you will not get away with a warning, even if you are an expat. The courts have set a sentencing policy of at least six months to a year’s imprisonment for first time drug users; recent cases indicate there are no mitigating factors. There is also legislation to convict someone who fails a drug test in Singapore, even if they consumed the drugs in another country. Minors are sometimes prosecuted as adults for drug offences. Because the penalties are so severe, some people who’ve been arrested agree to be informers and turn in their friends. In addition, if you are found to be illegally importing controlled drugs such as heroin, marijuana or morphine into Singapore, the offence is punishable by death.
Do not ‘jaywalk’ (cross a road within 50m of a pedestrian crossing or amble across on anything other than a perpendicular path to the pavement). Vandalism, such as graffiti, may be considered a prank or misdemeanor in many countries; in Singapore it carries a mandatory three strokes of the cane and jail.
Do not be rude to the police – they are accustomed to being treated with respect. Then again, don’t tolerate any impolite behaviour from them either; if you are ill-treated it is worth making a complaint as rude behaviour by any public servant is not tolerated by the government.
There is a sense among foreigners (who haven’t lived here) that this ‘fine city’ might be uncomfortably uptight. On closer examination, most of these rules are about treating the country and its citizens with respect and having consideration for other people. For those who appreciate these values, Singapore may come as a refreshing breath of fresh air.
If you are contemplating consuming illegal drugs, you must be mad! Singapore has an absolutely zero tolerance policy – you will not get away with a warning, even if you are an expat. The courts have set a sentencing policy of at least six months to a year’s imprisonment for first time drug users; recent cases indicate there are no mitigating factors. There is also legislation to convict someone who fails a drug test in Singapore, even if they consumed the drugs in another country. Minors are sometimes prosecuted as adults for drug offences. Because the penalties are so severe, some people who’ve been arrested agree to be informers and turn in their friends. In addition, if you are found to be illegally importing controlled drugs such as heroin, marijuana or morphine into Singapore, the offence is punishable by death.
