Being in a food haven like Singapore allows us countless opportunities to encounter new dishes and experiment with local flavours while meeting new people. Being Singaporeans, we are bound to possess certain dining traits that make us truly Singaporean.

Take a look around you and you might just see these interesting habits in those closest to you. Ever been asked by foreign friends about how Singaporeans are like? Here’s a sneak peek into some of the dining etiquettes that most Singaporean diners possess!

Here are the 10 Types Of Singaporean Diners You Will Meet Once In Your Life.

#1 THE CALCULATIVE ONES

These people are usually the ones who would provide us with the exact sum to pay at the end of the meal. Trust them to whip out their handy calculators to divide the bill down to the last cent – GST and service charge included! They are also usually the ones who will know of exclusive dining discounts and privileges, so do check with them often!

#2 THE SHARERS

The Sharers are the ones who will never fail to offer their bowl of Laksa or a piece of their gorgeously executed steak to their friends or loved ones. They are always the first ones to share, and the last to ask for anything in return. It is usually through these kind souls that we get to try the rest of the other items on the menu!

#3 THE DIVA

When it comes to The Diva, cafes and restaurants should brace themselves for some serious nitpicking! Extra gravy smudge? Plate with a chipped corner? Water not being topped up regularly? The Divas will be the ones to kick up a fuss over the smallest details and seem to have a liking for meet-and-greet sessions with restaurant managers.

#4 THE MOMS

As the name suggests, these people are, well, very motherly. They will be the first ones who would fill your plates to the brim, and are always going around to check if you’ve had enough to eat. Everyone loves going for BBQ or steamboat sessions with them as they would be the ones to cook and feed everyone with an endless supply of food! We do wish for our other halves to be like this, since the key to the heart, as they say, is through the stomach!

#5 PHONE ADDICTS

When we dine with the Phone Addicts, they are often seen having their heads burrowed in their phones, scrolling through social media platforms or chatting with someone else instead of engaging in a conversation with us. We know that you cannot get enough of your friends or cannot stop checking your Instagram, but many times, we wish that you would shower us with more attention because, well, we asked you out for a reason, right?

Read: 10 Signs You Are An Instagram Addict – And What You Should Do About It.

#6 FUSSY EATERS

These are the people whom you would hear saying, “I want to eat Char Kway Teow but I do not like it when they do not pluck the tip of my bean sprouts”. Or, “I am craving for a good cuppa, but I am also yearning for something cold and more refreshing”.

Yes, ’nuff said.

#7 THE INDECISIVE

One way to combat these people: look up the cafe or restaurant menu online and send it to them before you meet. That way, they will have ample time to decide what they want to order before the meal. Sometimes, it really kills the mood to dine with the indecisive ones especially when you are on an empty stomach or are already one step away from fainting.

#8 THE FOMOS

The FOMOs, or also known as Fear Of Missing Out. Those who have had buffets, you will know what we mean. These are the ones who would arrive right before the buffet commences and would start by piling food on their plates, even if it looks impossible to finish, just so that they do not miss out on anything.

#9 THE INSTAGRAMMERS

Alas, the ones that can be spotted almost everywhere! Friends dining with the Instagrammers, please be warned to not touch anything until they are done with snapping a hundred and one pictures.

And do not be alarmed if they stand up and start rearranging everything on the table! These people have attained a certain level of courage and are often oblivious to the stares and glares of fellow diners while they are trying to get that perfect shot in whichever way possible.

Just when you think they are done – oh, wait! Here comes SnapChat!

#10 THE ALCOHOLIC

But of course, we have the ones who cannot do without some booze. Wherever you are dining at and whatever cuisine you are eating, they need their alcohol. Period. Sake with sushi? Sure. Wine with steak? Anytime. Tiger Beer with Chicken Rice? Bring it on. Alcohol all day, every day.

Here are 10 ways to spot a Singaporean overseas (so you can pretend you didn’t see them).

About the writer:
Cassandra is a staff writer for ladyironchef. During her free time, she fuels her passion for fashion through shopping and indulges in all things food. She loves anything egg related and is always ready for a cafe-hopping adventure.

Yes, we are quite unique – as identified by our tourism board once. Our physical beings and special habits stand out wherever we are. Here are 10 ways to spot a Singaporean overseas (so you can pretend you didn’t see them).

#1 THE ACCENT

Even though it goes without saying, I’m going to say it. This is the 100% guarantee plus chop, irrevocably unmistakeable indicator that you are in the presence of another Singaporean. Don’t paiseh lah, say hi!

#2 THEY ARE IN A CASUAL TOP, DENIM SHORTS/BERMS AND SLIPPERS

Regardless of the season or how fashion-savvy a city is, our staple outfits do not change. Even if it’s winter, you’ll likely see the girls in a denim-shorts-with-warm-leggings (most probably a Heattech piece from Uniqlo) combo – with boots. Because we don’t get to wear boots back home. And in summery weather, unless we are going hiking, the footwear of choice is good ol’ flip flops – they’re comfortable, airy and easy to slip in and out of. Singaporeans value practicality.

#3 COMPARING EVERYTHING TO BACK HOME

“Eh this one Singapore cheaper, don’t buy here.”
“Eh, this one Singapore don’t have, buy more.”
“Wah, here so hot, even hotter than Singapore.”
“Wah, here the weather so chilly, if only Singapore was like that.”

You get the drift.

#4 TAKING PICTURES TO POST ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM BEFORE THEY EAT

I heard a funny anecdote from an editor I used to work with. Her sister was in transit in an airport in America and was sitting in a cafe with her food in front of her. Like the responsible Singaporean she is, she took out her phone and snapped a picture. A gentleman next to her asked if she was from Singapore. Surprised, she asked, “How did you know?” And he laughed, “Only a Singaporean would take pictures of their food before they eat.”

Thanks, we’ll take it as a compliment – good things must share!

#5 THEY ARE BUYING BUBBLE TEA

It doesn’t matter if the bubble tea is way more expensive than in Singapore (though we will complain about it – see point 2), or if the chain already exists in our country. We love bubble tea and we need our fix.

#6 THEY ARE WONDERING ABOUT THE LACK OF CHILLI SAUCE

The sweet-salty zing of chilli sauce is so commonplace in our cuisine that the lack of it perplexes a Singaporean abroad. “Oh, they got no chilli sauce? So funny.” And if you see someone whip a bottle out from their bag, it’s almost a guarantee that they’re from the little red dot.

#7 THEY ARE ASKING FOR THE WI-FI PASSWORD

If you go into a restaurant, or a cafe, and you see a bunch of travellers on their phones – it’s likely that the place has free Wi-Fi. If you ever need the password, and can’t get the attention of the service staff, just ask the Singaporean – he or she would have already gotten it.

#8 THEY ARE IN A QUEUE FOR FOOD

We will apply the same logic we use for food vendors back home, to the cafes, restaurants and street food stalls we see when we travel: If there’s a long line – it must be good. Thankfully we’ve got lots of practice from back home so the extended wait for a reward at the end, is no big deal. We’ll just play with our phones meanwhile.

#9 THEY ARE DEEP IN THE MIDST OF A SALE

If there’s a big sale, the odds are there’s a bunch of Singaporeans rummaging in there. We cannot resist a good deal – whether at home or abroad. Long line for the cashier? No problem, someone will queue first while the rest keep shopping.

#10 THEY ARE EITHER SOLO, A COUPLE, OR A BIG GROUP OF MORE THAN 5 PEOPLE

There’s no in-between. I guess we’re really sociable people and when we plan a trip with our friends, we endeavour to make sure everyone can make it. If you find a trio or quartet, observe them – it’s likely that they’ll rejoin a bigger group at a later time.

Do you know of more ways you can identify a fellow citizen overseas? Share it in the comments!

About the writer:
Ruby Tan used to write for Her World, and is now a freelance writer with a dream to travel the world. She believes that the some of best things in life don’t have to be bought.