Culture, Accommodation and Food
Posted on 9 Nov 2009
Last modified on 30 May 2010
Culture
Singapore has achieved in an extraordinary way the construction of a multicultural society with high levels of tolerance towards other races and religions. As a result of the constant migration from other parts of Asia to the island in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the city-state is now a true melting pot where Chinese, Malays, Indians and westerns are coexisting side by side for generations. Gone are the revolts between races of the ‘60s thanks to the government policies that have led Singapore itself to create an identity where one is primarily Singaporean and then belonging to his race. In addition, the policy of attracting foreigners, successfully developed in the last 30 yearss has transformed the nation in a dynamic and cosmopolitan city.
The brief history of the country largely explains the formation of a different culture through the interrelationship between races and religions. For example, while over 80% of the population is ethnic Chinese, education is predominantly in English, and while Singapore is primarily Chinese, Western influence can be seen in all levels of society and the public sphere general. All this is due to exposure to Western culture through film and television, and the fact that in the past 30 years, a large percentage of Singaporeans have studied or worked in Western countries, so that its impact on society on his return results in a dilution of the Chinese character by a mixture of it with the West.
Religion
There is not predominant religion in the island and the separation of state and religion is guaranteed by the Constitution. The main religions followed in Singapore are Buddhism (42.5%), Islam (14.9%), Christianity (14.6%), Taoism (8.5%), Hinduism (4%) and other religions such as Sikhs or Jews (0.7%). The proportion of people who are not declared followers of any religion is 14.8%. The closeness between all religions over several generations has generated high levels of tolerance and empathy among them. A good example of this would be in the fact that if a Chinese, who love pork, invites to dinner several guests, among whom are Muslims, he will ensure that, when there is a pork dish at the table, it does not come into contact with any tool that could use the Muslim guests. Singaporeans in general are easily adapted to situations of this type because of the interracial coexistence they are used from childhood.
Singapore is an officially secular country by prohibiting religious instruction in schools. The only concession to religion is founded in the public holidays, because 6 of them correspond to religious holidays: Good Friday (Christianity), Vesak (Buddhism), Hari Raya Puasa (Islam), Deepavali (Hindu) Hari Raya Haji (Islam) and Christmas (Christianity).
Different religions coexist in the small island in the middle of a climate of multicultural tolerance. This tacit social agreement has been carefully maintained and matured in recent decades. The government has acted decisively and quickly on each occasion that the interracial delicate balance can be found on danger. While the Constitution guarantees religious freedom is to be understood that this right is limited in some cases. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church are banned because of the conscientious objection of its members to perform compulsory military service.
Christmas is the most significant religious celebration given the fact that this event is commercialized to such an extent that the time for giving to others is a feast of shopping for people of all faiths since October. Another festival is Hari Raya Puasa (Aidilfitri) thats commemorates the end of Ramadan, the month-long fast during the day for Muslims. Singaporeans of all races come together to celebrate a good dinner. The third most important day is the Vesak, with more of 40% of the population celebrating the most importent day of Buddhism, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. On this day devotees flock to the temple in the morning singing sutras and make offerings, which follows the release of trapped animals such as birds, turtles and fish. The last big party Deepavali or Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil, the new year starts for the Indians. Serangoon Road, the main street of Little India, is adorned with lights, emulating the bright lights of Orchard, the main shopping street, during Christmas. Deepavali is a good time to pay debts. If we are invited by a friend to attend some of these religious days it should be seen as an honor and we will respond by showing our gratitude and affection for the host.
Categories of accommodation
Singapore offers the full range of establishments, from hotels of up to six stars to popular hostels. Competition between the hotels is very intense and managers constantly have to invent to keep their place in the market. In recent years, small hotels have appeared in old shophouses that stand out for their personality, high quality service and reasonable price. The serviced apartment is booming now due to increased demand. Some hotels are converting some of its rooms in Apartments of this type. Lastly, the hostels are flourishing everywhere, increasing the low budget tourism .
Hotels
Singapore has more than 200 hotels totaling 36,000 rooms, whose average occupancy is around 80%. Both the Innkeepers Association of Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board ensure quality service
Cuisine
Singaporeans have two great passions in life: shopping and eating. The native cuisine is so important that many Singaporeans would not live off the island because of this issue. Gastronomy is the national obsession for many Singaporeans and they can move around the island for the sole purpose of tasting their favorite bowl of noodles. That is why one of the favorite talking points of the Islanders is food, and they enjoyed talking with other guests about their cooking"discoveries”: new restaurants and improved versions of some of their favorite dishes. Much of the Singaporean culture revolve around food: celebrations, leisure, business prelude and conclusion. Singaporean cuisine is composed of a mixture of Chinese, Malay and Indian. The fusion of the Malaysian Chinese cuisine called Peranakan or Nonya, and within the Chinese food we can differentiate subcategories of Sichuan, Cantonese and Taiwanese or Hakka. The quality of this food goes from the most exquisite refinement of oriental food to simple recipes for less than 2 euros.