Singapore FAQS SINGAPORE  CULTURE AND FACTS Singaporean culture is very much like “rojak”, a delicious local mixed salad that is eaten as an appetizer.  Indeed, Singapore’ diverse cultural heritage has resulted in away of life that forms the canvas of a rich social fabric.  Most of the people of Singapore are descendants of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China, the Indian sub-continent and Sri Lanka.  While they have gradually acquired a distinct identity as Singaporeans, many still retain their customs, practices and festivals in a curious mix of the modern and the traditional. Festivals The Chinese Celebrate the Lunar New Year with gusto sometime in January or February, depending on the Lunar Calendar.  This is the equivalent of the American Christmas and Thanksgiving combined. This is a big reunion dinner  on the eve of the New Year.  Expatriates frequently skip town during this period because most shops are closed. Some Chinese businesses close shop for up to two weeks – the only break they have in the year. Other Chinese festivals include Qing Ming (a time for the remembrance of ancestor), the Feast of the Hungry Ghosts, and the Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as the Moon cake or Lantern Festival) Muslims in Singapore celebrate two main festivals.  Hari Raya Puasa is a joyous celebration to mark the end of a month of fasting. Muslims decked in finery visit each other.  Hari Raya Haji is a time of prayer and remembrance.  Smaller-scale festivals are: the first of the Muslim calendar month of Muharram (a New Year Celebration), and mulud(Prophet Muhammad’s birthday). Hindus celebrate the Tamil New Year sometime in mid-April, while other Indian group observe New Year at different time.  Thaipusam is a penitential Hindu festival popular with Tamils.  This is the festival where Indian walk several miles carrying kavadis the pierce their bodies, to thank their god for answering their prayers.  Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Hindus and  Sikhs.  Other festivals include Thimithi (fire-walking ceremony) and Navarathiri (nine nights ’prayers) Christian festivals have a fairly strong following in Singapore.  Christmas in particular is heavily commercialized. The entire stretch of the Orchard Road Shopping belt is lit up with decorative lights from November to early January. The multiracial mix is such that most Singaporeans celebrate more than just the festivals of their own ethnic group. So a Chinese Christian might go to church, but also partake in the cultural rites in some Chinese festivals. Even when they don't actually celebrate certain festivals, many will visit their friends and neighbors from other ethnic communities to join in the fun. Of course (Singaporeans being the foodies that they are) it helps when you have Chinese noodles, Malay & quote;  satay & quote and Indian curry thrown in. CUSTOMS AND CULTURAL TABOOS  We all have our ways and idiosyncrasies. While most young Singaporeans don't give two hoots, their elderly counterparts are usually more sensitive to cultural dos and don’ts. Here are some pointers to note: Chinese like things in even numbers, for example, two Mandarin oranges as a token during the Lunar New Year visiting. (i.e. good thing comes in pairs) 2 (& quote; yi & quote ;=easy), 6 (& quote; lok & quote;=wealth) and 8 (& quote; patt &  quote; =prosper) are considered lucky numbers. 4 & quote; sei & quote ;= death) is deadly. Taboo gifts are clocks  (& quote; zhong & quote  = funeral), handkerchiefs(associated with tearful partings) and umbrellas (associated with mishaps). Red is an auspicious color, as are other bright colors, while black is frowned upon by the older generation, especially during festive occasions.  Muslims don't eat pork. When entertaining Muslim guests, check that no pork, lard or alcohol is used in the cooking, and that the meat is bought from a 'halal' food supplier. Never bring wine when visiting a Muslim home and always dress modestly. Muslims fast during the Ramadan month, celebrated in the month of Ramadan on the Muslim calendar, the exact date of which moves ahead by 11 days every calendar year. Therefore in this year (2000) Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated Hindus don't eat beef. Some are strict vegetarians, as are some Buddhists. For funerals, attend in somber colors. Small tokens of money are the norm--wrapped in white or brown packets and in odd amounts. Singaporeans go barefoot inside their homes, so take off shoes at the front door during visits.   CURRENCY/EXCHANGE RATE The local currency is Singapore Dollars and Cents.  Approximate rate USD 1 = SGD 1.70. ELECTRICITY/VOLTAGE Standard voltage is 220-240 volts AC at 50 cycles.  Most hotels are equipped with transformer 110-120 volts AC. LAND AND CLIMATE One degree north of the equator, at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsular, linked to Malaysia by causeway.  Weather is relatively uniform averaging 83 – 90 degree F. TIME DIFFERENCE 12hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time(during day light savings time) 15hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (during day light savings time) GOODS & SERVICES TAX (GTS) A 3% Goods & Services Tax is levied on most good services purchased from taxable retailers.  Quoted prices of merchandise include GTS.  Combines purchases of SGD 300 or more (with a minimum of SGD 100) spent at a shop or different outlets of the same retail chain displaying the “Tax Free Shopping”  logo) are eligible for are fund of the GST paid on goods not consumed in Singapore.  Refunds must be processed at the airport only prior to departure flights with proof of purchase and inspection of goods. INOCULATIONS None required unless arriving from a country where a disease is partly / wholly endemic. LANGUAGE English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil are the four official languages. English as the language of business and administration. Singapore Society. What to packs??? Light, comfortable cotton clothing to beat the heat (when you walk out of the  hotel!).  Smart Casual for official occasional Mosquito Repellent Sun Block Hat ; Calculator ; Good walking shoes