2.3 新加坡商务礼仪在线视频

Now

let’s move on to the fun part

The intercultural business etiquette

In this part

we are going to talk about the following etiquettes

that you should pay strong attention to

while communicating with business men and women from Singapore

Dining manners

Business dress code

Communication

Business Cards

Punctuality and Gift giving

Dining manners

In Singapore

Your dining experience will likely depend on the cultural background

of your host

For example

Malays are largely Muslim

For Muslim

meat will be strictly halal（清真）

and no pork and alcohol is allowed

Malays traditionally eat with the right hand

The left hand is used for bodily hygiene

and is generally not used to touch food

Finger bowls are usually provided to clean your hands

before and after the meal

However

both when eating in a restaurant and at home

cutlery is provided as well

During the month of Ramadan

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset

If you are invited to join a Muslim family during fasting

remember that this is an occasion of great religious significance

Fasting usually begins with red dates

If you bring a food gift

make sure it is halal

Hinduism or Sikhism avoid beef and wine

and eat a typical vegetarian diet

People in several parts of India also eat with their hands

and the rule of the right hand applies here as well

However

as with Malay cuisine

the restaurant will also provide cutlery

so you don’t have to worry

Anyway it’s kind of a courtesy to wash your hands before you eat

Depending on the variety

your food can be served individually or all at once

Many Indian meals also place vegetarian and meat dishes slightly apart

If you finish your plate completely

you may find that the host insists that you eat a little more

leaving a little dish on your plate shows that you are full and satisfied

Next

what about the dress code in Singaporean business scenarios

Most Singaporeans prefer business casual wear

However

for business occasions

men are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts and ties

Depending on the occasion

a jacket may also be required

Women can pair a long-sleeved top with an over-the-knee skirt

or a mid-length dress

Some women may also like to wear summer shirt dresses

The key is to appear fresh

competent and professiona

lThe next thing we need to learn more about

is the Singaporean’s Communication style

Singaporeans tend to use an implicit form of communication

There may be a small amount of “Singaporean”

in the business conversation

a combination of English

Mandarin and Malay

Singaporeans do not like to be outspoken

Similar to the British

manners are important and they will often use phrases

like “I’m not sure” or “we’ll see” to mean “no”

so don’t force it or risk being offended

Just like in India

“no” is an unpleasant word in Singaporean culture

and you should avoid using it

If it’s an appropriate response

it’s best to say “we’ll see”

Similarly

“yes” does not necessarily mean “yes”

You should read between the lines what the speaker is really saying

A hesitant “yes” could mean “no”

Other versions of “no” include “Yes, but...”

“Timing may not allow ... ” or simply not answering questions

Objections should be said very politely

so as not to cause you to lose face

so it is necessary to be aware of them

If you’re not sure what the answer means

then ask that question later

If told twice

“We’ll see”

that probably means “no”

In Singapore

it’s important to save face

and there’s a lot to be done to maintain harmony in relationships

Be polite

professional and patient at all times

and it’s hard to save face if that harmony is broken by disagreement

Singaporeans are group-orientated at the same time

as being indirect communicators

Facial expressions

tone of voice

Intonation and posture are all important ways

to decipher how someone is really feeling

In the process of creating harmony

Singaporeans often end sentences with the phrase “isn’t it”

meaning “isn’t it right?”

This helps to build consensus at different stages

Next

what should you do while exchanging Business Cards

In Singapore,

as with the standard interpersonal approach

business cards play an important role and are usually exchanged almost

as soon as a contact is made

The best way to exchange business cards is with both hands

with the letters oriented toward the receiver.

Accepting a business card is also done with both hands as a sign of respect

This is a respectful gesture and will almost certainly

be noted by your Singaporean partners

When you are offered a business card

receive it with both hands and examine the card carefully

Do not put the business card in your back pocket

since this is a sign of disrespect in Singapore

Instead

place the business card in front of you or on the desk

Also when someone offers you a business card

do not write on it in their presence

You can add details when you leave the meeting venue

Writing on cards is usually considered disrespectful

Punctuality is another thing we need to pay attention to

As Punctuality is an important part of corporate culture in many countries

but in Singapore

punctuality is elevated to a higher level

where being on time for meetings or notifying others

of any expected delays is key

While Singaporeans tend to be late

for social events

being late for business appointments is paramount to an insult

Unlike other Southeast Asians

Gift giving in Singaporean business occasions are unwelcome

because they smack of bribery

It should be noted that Singapore government officials

and government employees are not allowed to accept gifts

It is illegal for them to do so

In any case

gift-giving is a minefield because of the cultural differences

between three major ethnic groups (the Chinese, Malays and Indians)

and some gifts can be insulting

Most flowers are not accepted by any culture

because they are given to the sick

and are considered funeral flowers

It’s best not to give gifts in business occasions

When a Singaporean business partner invites you to a social event

it’s okay to give away a token like a bottle of wine

If your host abstains from alcohol for religious or other reasons

bring a box of chocolates

Also

don’t give gifts without doing your research

Don’t wrap gifts in white

as that symbolizes mourning

and don’t give them with your left hand

In addition

it is common to reject a gift not once

Twice

but three times before accepting it

Ok that’s all about Singaporean business culture

Hope you like its

See you next time byebye