Singapore is a unique city that has influences from both the East and West.

To foreigners, we speak in a hybrid of different languages that sounds like an entire language of its own and we have a distinct culture that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. Sometimes, we have habits and behaviours that foreigners cannot comprehend. But that’s because We Are Singapore and we are unique like that.

This National Day, let us celebrate the 10 Things You Can Find Only In Singapore.

Photo Credit: The Stain Eaters

#1 The Chewing Gum Ban

Few in Singapore would not be aware of this. In fact, while traveling abroad, a favourite question asked by our foreigner friends is the reason to having such a law in Singapore.

Well, the law was set up after 1922 because people were unhygienically sticking it everywhere in public.

Photo Credit: Scape

#2 Reserving Seats In Hawker Centres With Tissue Paper

That is obviously an empty table but why are people walking past it during lunch hour? Observe carefully. Yes, that packet of tissue paper sitting right in the middle of the table is a Singaporean way of reserving seats.

#3 Ice Cream Sandwich

With our hot and humid climate, this cheap ice cream snack is one of the best ways to cool off. The ice cream come in many flavours such as corn, red bean and durian!

#4 Ice Kachang

Speaking of desserts, the Singapore ice kachang is made up of shaved ice shaped like a mountain atop red bean, grass jelly, corn, attap seeds and drenched with sugar syrup and condensed milk.

#5 Our Love For Durians

Trust us when we say that Singaporeans are serious about our durians. Though foreigners may dislike the pungent smell of this tropical fruit, you can find it almost everywhere in this city be it in desserts, beverages and even in chee cheong fun (rice noodle roll).

As if that isn’t enough, the Esplanade concert hall shows resemblance to the King of Fruits too.

Photo Credit: Bridal Trend Asia

#6 The World’s First Night Zoo

Home to over 2,500 animals, the Singapore Night Safari offers an exciting nocturnal experience that cannot be found anywhere else on the island. Explore the place by tram to cover the main attractions and hop off when you are ready to go for a stroll at the four interlinked walking trails inside.

 #7 Melting Pot Of Cultures

In a country made up of people with different religious backgrounds, it is well worth a visit to Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and the Colonial District where places of worships, food places and people reflect these cultural differences.

#8 The Renown Singapore Sling

This gin-based cocktail was concocted by a bartender working at Raffles Hotel and is regarded widely as the National drink. Have no clue what it is? Read this little story of what the cocktail really is and how its humble beginnings developed into a worldwide sensation.

#9 Kaya Toast With Half-Boiled Eggs

A simple and hearty breakfast enjoyed by many locals, you can find this traditional set complete with coffee or tea at coffee shops or kopitiams.

#10 Singlish

It is easy to identify a fellow Singaporean on the streets and even abroad once they start speaking in Singlish. A mixture of English, Malay and Hokkien, it is a special combination that is hard to imitate or even understand unless you have been living here for a few years.

Sometimes, we even add in slangs such as ‘lah’ or ‘lor’ to express different feelings and only a true blue Singaporeans will get it immediately. It may make no sense to others since the sentence structure works perfectly even when you omit those words but Singlish is what makes us Singaporeans.

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.