From chopping seats with tissue to a totally normal ban on chewing gum and durians in public…there are some things in this life that only people in Singapore will understand. However, these things leave others absolutely baffled. We made it our mission to find out what YOU think is considered totally normal in Singapore…but nowhere else worldwide. So, we took to social media to ask our Facebook and Instagram followers to give us their responses to: ”What things are considered totally normal in Singapore…but nowhere else?” – and boy, you didn’t hold back. Here are the best responses to our question.
Normal things in Singapore
1. It takes only 10 seconds to get through immigration
2. Complaining about everything, everyone, and everywhere
3. People shouting or threatening their children in public
4. Chope-ing seats with valuables
Tourists this is a Singaporean tradition of reserving a table…so DON’T SIT DOWN
5. Having the cleanest air in the world
6. Picking nose in public
…Gross
7. Stray chickens instead of stray dogs or cats
8. The amount of original Gucci and Louis Vuitton in MRT
We all wish we are living in it too tbh…
9. Ending sentences with Lah, Lor, or Leh
10. Chewing gum is illegal
The litter bugs ruined it for us!
11. Speaking Singlish
It’s even in the Oxford Dictionary lahhhh
12. Boyfriends carrying handbags
13. People being openly rude and disrespectful to spouses in public
A little uncomfortable ngl…
14. Chope-ing seats with tissue
15. Tourists sitting at our choped seats
The horror…
16. It’s safe for women to walk alone at night
A blessing we don’t realise…
17. No tipping at restaurants
18. Asking what’s your current salary
19. Asking how much you pay for rent
Nosey but valid…
20. Saying ”Can Can” instead of OK
21. Fighting over Hello Kitty
22. Not having spatial and situational awareness
This one got a lottaaaa likes on Instagram
23. Queuing for EVERYTHING
Even when you don’t know what it is…must be good if there is queue eh?
24. And staying in a queue for hours for a taste of that new bubble tea
25. Leaving valuables unattended everywhere
26. Terrible service at restaurants
27. One For One WDF
28. Wearing t-shirt, shorts, and slippers everywhere including branded boutiques
29. Being easily triggered
Learned it while being raised by all the angry aunties and uncles…
30. Too many smokers
31. Unique parks, trees, and green spaces you can’t find anywhere else
We are the world’s best green city after all!
32. Super high movie ticket prices
33. Not bringing the card machine to the table with the bill
Come on people, common sense?
34. Going out at night and safety coming back home
This is a blessing but always be aware of your surroundings!
35. Cooking lettuce
36. Working adults still living with their parents
Gotta save our money somehow…
37. Nobody cares what you wear
If that ain’t the truth?
38. A law where you can’t speak on public transport
39. Durian fruit is banned on public transport including taxis
40. Playing music on the speaker while riding a bike with no consideration for others
We think they do this globally though?
SEE MORE: Singapore Is The 7th Best Place To Go Worldwide For 2024