TIPS when going to Singapore
By hazel_1104
@hazel_1104 (56)
Philippines
January 17, 2007 2:31am CST
Hi everyone,
I'm planning to go to Singapore for a visit, hoping for a work too..do you have tips so i can prepare myself when I go there.
What should i bring w/ me? I'm not familiar w/ Mandarin? can you provide useful Mandarin terminology?
How much should i bring? also, how can i save money so i can have extra when i go there?
Please recommend cheap lodging house or food establishments/restaurants?
1 person likes this
24 responses
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
17 Jan 07
i had been to singapore like 13 years ago. it's such a nice place to go to. it's peaceful there. always remember not to chew gums and never smoke there. you get to be fined for some amount if you ever get caught. always cross streets using the right pedestrian lanes or pedestrian over passes. i am not sure of beautiful and cheap lodging houses where you can stay there. but you can check the internet about it and do reservations over the net. it's okey if you don't know any mandarin. people there knows basic english. never forget to visit places like sentosa island, jurong birdpark, underwaterworld, orchidarium and science center. plus, don't you ever forget to bring a camera with you! good luck!
@gormanboy (150)
• Singapore
17 Jan 07
Hey! As a current resident in Singapore, I know a thing or to about what's going on! Firstly, since maryannemax has been to Singapore it has completely changed significantely! The whole place is under construction and people don't even rocognise Singapore from 10-15 years ago!
A quick comment on the law, chewing gum can! But littering conNOT! A lot of Singaporeans are actually smokers, so smoking is ok everywhere except hawker centers (local outdoor eating places). If you are going as of 7th of July 2007 however, smoking will be banned in pretty much all bars.
There are some GREAT beaches, bars and restaurants on Sentosa island, along with some facinating historic monuments.
The nightlife is located around boat quay (for some delicious local food) and clarke quay (for bars and clubs).
If you play golf, there are lots of golfing oppertunities as well as "Singapore's resort/relaxation island" which is an island called bintan (actually in indonesia but only 30 mins by boat)
If you like to shop, there are loads of oppertunities in Orchard Road, Vivo City, Great World City and Suntec. If you are looking for purchasing very good quality electronics at cheap prices you can go to The Funan Center, Sim Lim Tower and Sim Lim Square (and remember to ask for a deduction in tax that you are elegible for as a tourist!)
Cheap Youth Hostel: The Prince Of Wales on Dunlop Road.
Other Places To Visit: Little India, China Town, Arab Street, Wild, Wild, Wet!(Water Park), Escape! (Theme park) and Holland Village.
Mostly everyone in Singapore can speak perfect English (a little changed from 13 years ago!) but if you do see some chinese people here are two phrases that you can say to be polite.
Xia Xia (pronouced: che che) - Thank you
Gong Xi Fai Chai (pronouced: gong si fa chiy) - Happy Chinese New Year (If you are going quite soon).
Glad to help you :-)
@coffeechat (1961)
• New Zealand
18 Jan 07
Communicating with Singaporeans is as easy as a breeze. They speak good English, though the accent may be different and can sometimes be a barrier, but overall they are able to converse well.
@sameer2cute (584)
• India
17 Jan 07
Singapore is a very good place to visit. you will really enjoy the place and the work also, so try finding some good work out there which makes you busy and you also have fun while working. best of luck and have a nice trip.
@masterseifer_20 (50)
• United States
18 Jan 07
don't wear any abusive or vulgar words on your shirt and also loitering is prohibited that's why singapore in the cleanlinest place in ASIA
@nvtellan (1907)
• Philippines
19 Jan 07
Wow! I've never been outside our country so I don't know what to really contribute here. Well, I think you need to have good English communcation skills. Mandarin is a plus tho. You could try browsing thru www.workabroad.ph or the official government website of Singapore. Surely, they have a link there that tells you about living and working in Singapore.
Hope this helps.
@zipporah (151)
• Philippines
21 Jan 07
there's no need for you to learn mandarin coz all people there and singlish speaking.... menaing SIngaporean english, just pure english with the singapore accent. as long as yo uknow how to say the word "ALAMA" just like "OH" its their expression. Of course bring your CV, and if u have frineds there.. it is so much better because hotels there are so expensive. Pictures, 1x1, 2x2, passports... brings your credit card (in case of emergency) or if u are really saving money, bring instant noodles...with you.. so at least u have something for snack and ownt need to buy somewhere else.
there's a lot of cafe there but u will be spending $5 Sg... which is the cheapest or u rather go to the market place where u can buy food for $2 or $3 SG. Do not go in the fastfood coz it is really expensive... like for example Mcdonalds there.. the cheapest is $6-$10 so still.... it ownt cost u more... taxi cab is expensive as well. So better take the bus... Goodluck in your job hunting there. I I prefer you to go to dubai instead :-)
@imahustler999 (119)
• Singapore
17 Jan 07
I live in singapore - main language is english!!! So you wont need mandarin....its pretty hot here with lots of rain. Humidity is high so its a sweaty heat rather than a dry heat. its quite expensive in singapore well more so than other asian countries. there is aircon everywhere!
If you are planning on working here then you need an employment pass so good luck with that....
basically all you gotta eat in 3$ chicken rice (chicken, rice, soup) its the best meal anyone could ask for!! The nightlife here is amazingly good lol :D here in asia we party the right way!!
by for now and enjoy your trip
@coffeechat (1961)
• New Zealand
18 Jan 07
You're right. All you need is an employment pass.
Oh, I love the Hainanese Chicken Rice in hawker centers. They are not expensive and definitely tasty! I don't mind having the same for one meal everyday, you just don't get fed up with it - maybe others do.
@mayomagic101 (252)
• Philippines
18 Jan 07
i think if you want to go in singapore i think you just have to speak good english and eventually they will understand you... you know there is 5 national language in singapore english and mandarin to name the two..for vacation i think you should visit sentosa..heheh its good to spend your vacation there,..
as of for work i dont have an idea..about the food its better if you cook ur own food thats cheaper
@lmlazo79 (39)
• Philippines
18 Jan 07
ive lived in singapore years back.
Singapore is a just a small place so you dont need to worry about getting lost and all, coz you can always ask them. They all speak English, so that wont be a problem although, some has their singaporean accent with "lah and liao" and others but thats not a problem.
They have MRT/Bus which is so accessible and affordable dependable too. nice cabby drivers for taxi
You should visit their ever famous Sentosa, ive been there lots of timeseverytime our relatives come to visit.
Shopping in orchard area and in Chinatown for bargains..
enjoy the trip...
Food are delicious sweet and spicy..
try their char kway teoh, mee goreng, hor fun noodles, chicken rice, duck rice, pork rice and loads... sugarcane juice YUMMY!! :)
@philipjones (214)
•
17 Jan 07
Singapore is a place that is very hot, especialy at the overheated stinky airports
@hendra_001 (5)
• Indonesia
18 Jan 07
do not bring much clothes. you can buy there. it is cheap.
custome your tongue with tropical food. prepare yourself to enjoy singapore because it was a beautiful country.
@linzmcwilliams (1552)
•
17 Jan 07
Firstly you will probably need a VISA, especially if you plan to work. I lived in Singapore for two years, it's a lovely city. I agree with the comment that you should get an MRT ticket, they are a great and fast way to travel. Plus they are pretty cheap. If you want to treat yourself go to "The Line" resteraunt. It's in the bottom of one of the big hotels near Orchard Road and it's an all you can eat, with chocolate fountain! I'm not sure what kind of price it is though, it's probably quite expensive. Orchard Road is the main street and that's where all the big high street shops have outlets but there are a few other big shopping centers like Sun Tech that are pretty good for food and shopping. You don't need to speak Mandarin, most people there speak English and i would take quite a bit of money, just to be on the safe side.
@SetoKun (286)
• Philippines
17 Jan 07
Hi. I have a lot of close relatives who are living there and I'm thinking of living there too. Singapore is a very nice city. If you are planning to work there, it's not going to be easy. Applying for pass to work there is hard because the government there makes sure that the job you are applying are not the job that the singaporeans are capable of doing. So computer related works are the best option. Lodging there is expensive so I suggest that you should live with someone that you know first rather than renting your own place. In foods there cheap foods there, fastfood is great choice than a restaurant. Goodluck in your trip.
@loitran (82)
• Vietnam
17 Jan 07
Well, nice place to go. However, you must be very careful with the police. They seldom wear uniform. However, if you by chance "throw rubbish" in the street, they will appear right away with a "bill" up to 1000 Sing USD and you may be fined several hours serving the public.
The main language is English though 70% of people here are of Chinese origin.
Have nice trip!
