From GoinGlobal

Singapore: Cultural Advice

The culture of Singapore is as varied as its people. While ethnic Chinese make up the majority of the population, there are significant numbers of Indians and Malays, as well as expatriates from around the globe. The business world reflects this. One can find everything from traditional Chinese businesses to Western multinational corporations in Singapore City.

Amazingly, Singapore is able to combine these differences almost seamlessly. One can have a pretty good idea of what to expect regardless of the island, the company and the workers. For example, virtually all Singaporean restaurants keep a few forks and spoons handy for their Western clientele, even when most patrons use chopsticks or their hands. Business is conducted in English, in part to minimize communication gaps between companies. Rather than a unique culture of its own, Singapore is an accommodating fusion of many.

That said, Singaporean companies still run very much like a family, following the traditional method. Harmony and paternalism are the bases upon which most businesses are formed, giving deference to the group and to authority. Relationships are more important than the company.

In fact, the country itself runs largely the same way. The government of Singapore is similar to an autocratic company which values Confucian ideals for the corporate good of the country. This, combined with the government's embracing of Western capitalism, has resulted in low crime and poverty rates, as well as world-renowned economic success.