Sales Report Structure
Singaporean Cultural Norms and Traditions
Most of the people of Singapore are descendants of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China, the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. While they have gradually acquired a distinct identity as Singaporeans, many still retain their customs, practices and festivals in a mix of the modern and the traditional.
Singapore Society
Singaporean society is cosmopolitan and multicultural and based on an ideology of racial and religious harmony. The family is the basic unit of society and respect for the elders is of great importance. The group is regarded as more important than the individual, and social hierarchy is more strictly observed than in the West, with respect and deference shown to older and more senior people.
The concept of "face" pays a part in relationships. Much of the behaviour adopted by Singaporeans is based on making sure that no one loses face. Singaporeans tend to be more formal and polite and less physical and personal in their everyday dealings than "westerners".
To avoid losing face Singaporeans will rarely say "no" directly, nor ask a direct question or give a direct order. Equally, "yes" may not always mean they agree.
Languages
Four languages are officially recognised in Singapore: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of administration and business, and children usually learn English as their first language, along with their mother tongue. This means that nearly everyone in Singapore speaks more than one language, and many people speak three or four. Most children grow up bilingual from infancy.
Singlish
Although the language of general conversation between Singaporeans of different ethnic backgrounds is Standard English, colloquially many Singaporeans speak a variety called Singlish, which is usually described as a hybrid of English, Malay and Mandarin and a mixture of various Chinese dialects.
Singlish can be difficult to understand by speakers of Standard English because
Most of the people of Singapore are descendants of immigrants from the Malay Peninsula, China, the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. While they have gradually acquired a distinct identity as Singaporeans, many still retain their customs, practices and festivals in a mix of the modern and the traditional.
Singapore Society
Singaporean society is cosmopolitan and multicultural and based on an ideology of racial and religious harmony. The family is the basic unit of society and respect for the elders is of great importance. The group is regarded as more important than the individual, and social hierarchy is more strictly observed than in the West, with respect and deference shown to older and more senior people.
The concept of "face" pays a part in relationships. Much of the behaviour adopted by Singaporeans is based on making sure that no one loses face. Singaporeans tend to be more formal and polite and less physical and personal in their everyday dealings than "westerners".
To avoid losing face Singaporeans will rarely say "no" directly, nor ask a direct question or give a direct order. Equally, "yes" may not always mean they agree.
Languages
Four languages are officially recognised in Singapore: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of administration and business, and children usually learn English as their first language, along with their mother tongue. This means that nearly everyone in Singapore speaks more than one language, and many people speak three or four. Most children grow up bilingual from infancy.
Singlish
Although the language of general conversation between Singaporeans of different ethnic backgrounds is Standard English, colloquially many Singaporeans speak a variety called Singlish, which is usually described as a hybrid of English, Malay and Mandarin and a mixture of various Chinese dialects.
Singlish can be difficult to understand by speakers of Standard English because