Singapore: Business Etiquette

Business Etiquette Lists of business etiquette ‘do’s and do not’s’ can be pages in length and while they are a useful starting point in cultural knowledge, they do not bring about cultural strategic thinking. Business etiquette closely mirrors cultural values so having an understanding of the overall concepts of a culture (such as it being high-context, high-diplomacy, low assertiveness, high power distance, relationship-based, etc). Understanding these concepts along with relevant examples, is helpful in preparing to do business in a new culture. Armed with this knowledge and having an attitude of openness and heightened sensitivity will allow you to notice reactions and pick up on signals that will guide you in your interactions with unfamiliar cultures. (Earley, Ang, Tan, 2006). Singaporean business relationships and interactions tend to be hierarchical in nature with a high power distance and formal chain of command. There is a high cognition of position and status. This is shown in formality and deference to leaders and elders. “Wealth and status may supersede age distinctions…There are great differences between formal and informal events, situations, and places.” (Countries and their Cultures, Etiquette section, para. 1) Examples of this in business interactions include: • “When entering the meeting environment, let a senior member lead, followed by the next senior member, and so on. This follows local custom and allows your hosts to keep tabs on who 's who. Hierarchy reigns. The Singapore team will sit facing the visiting party, with persons of equal rank sitting opposite each other” (Worldroom, para. 6) • “Always wait to be told where to sit. There is a strict hierarchy that must be followed” (Kwintessential, Business Etiquette and Protocol section, para. 4) • “If you are addressing someone more junior than you are (in terms of rank in the company), it is acceptable to address that person by the first name. In fact, this

References: Brogger, Benedicte. "Singapore." Countries and Their Cultures. Eds. Melvin Ember and Carol R. Ember. Vol. 4. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2001. 1994-1999. 4 vols. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Thomson Gale. CLIC Hamline University. 17 Nov. 2007  Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions. (n.d.). Singapore-Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Retrieved November 17, 2007 from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/ resources/global-etiquette/singapore.html Worldroom Hospitality Limited. (2007). Singapore-Customs and Culture. Retrieved November 17, 2007 from http://www.worldroom.com/pages/wrnsg/customs/sg_bizetiquette.phtml Executive Planet. (2007). Singapore. Retrieved November 17, 2007 from http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Singapore Earley, P.C., Ang, S., Tan, J. (2006). CQ: Ddeveloping cultural intelligence at work. Stanford: Stanford University Press.