By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
Singapore’s etiquette is mostly common courtesy, done precisely: queue, return your tray at hawker centres, respect a table “choped” with a packet of tissues, take your shoes off where others have, and hand things over with both hands in formal moments. Tipping is not expected. And when a Singaporean says “can”, they mean yes.
This is a city of many cultures sharing small spaces, and its manners grew out of that: order, consideration and a little reserve. Its language grew the same way. Singlish, the local English, borrows from Malay, Hokkien, Cantonese and Tamil, and you will hear it everywhere. You do not need to speak it; understanding a little will make you smile.
Etiquette at a glance
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Queue, and let people off the train before you board | Take a seat “choped” with tissues or an umbrella |
| Return your tray and crockery at hawker centres | Eat or drink on the MRT |
| Remove shoes where others have: homes, some temples and mosques | Wear shorts and vests into places of worship |
| Offer and receive business cards and gifts with both hands | Tip; it is not expected and can confuse |
| Give priority seats to those who need them | Litter, even a cigarette butt |
| Ask before photographing people, especially at prayer | Give a clock as a gift to a Chinese family |
The WahLiao Verdict
| Effort | Small. Most of it is patience and tidiness. |
| What you get | Warmth. Singaporeans notice visitors who try, and respond. |
| The one to remember | Return your tray. It matters more than you think. |
| The fun part | Singlish. Try “can” and “shiok”; save “lah” for later. |
| Don’t worry about | Getting it perfect. Politeness covers most mistakes. |
At the hawker centre
Find a seat first. A packet of tissues, an umbrella or a lanyard on a table means someone has “choped” it, or reserved it; find another. Sharing a table with strangers at busy times is normal. When you finish, return your tray and crockery to the return points; it is expected and enforced. What to Eat in Singapore explains the rest.
On the MRT and in public
Queue at the marked lines on the platform and let passengers off before boarding. Stand on the left of escalators, walk on the right. Give priority seats to elderly passengers, pregnant women and people with disabilities. Keep voices and phone calls low. Eating and drinking on trains are banned. Singapore Laws and Fines covers the rules that carry penalties.
Religious sites
Singapore’s temples, mosques and churches welcome respectful visitors. Cover shoulders and knees, take off your shoes where you see others’ at the door, keep your voice down, and avoid visiting during prayers unless invited. Ask before photographing worshippers. Some mosques lend robes to visitors.
Homes, gifts and business
Take your shoes off when entering a Singaporean home. Offer and receive gifts, business cards and anything formal with both hands, and take a moment to read a business card before putting it away. Chinese families avoid clocks as gifts, and at Chinese New Year visitors bring mandarin oranges in pairs. Punctuality is expected in business. Our business travel guide has more.
A Singlish starter kit
| Word | What it means | You might hear |
|---|---|---|
| Can | Yes, sure, no problem | “Pay by card, can?” “Can.” |
| Lah | A softener or emphasis at the end of a sentence | “Don’t worry lah.” |
| Makan | To eat (Malay); food | “Makan already?” |
| Chope | To reserve a seat or place | “This table choped already.” |
| Shiok | Delicious, wonderful, deeply satisfying | “This laksa very shiok.” |
| Tapau or dabao | Takeaway | “Eat here or tapau?” |
| Kiasu | Afraid of losing out; over-eager | “Queue two hours? So kiasu.” |
| Paiseh | Embarrassed; sorry | “Paiseh, I’m late.” |
| Alamak | Oh no! | “Alamak, raining again.” |
| Uncle, auntie | A polite way to address an older stranger | “Uncle, one kopi.” |
| Wah liao | An exclamation of surprise or exasperation; wow, or oh dear | “Wah liao, so expensive!” |
That last one gave this website its name. We use it for both halves of every verdict: the wow and the price.
Singapore etiquette: FAQ
What should I not do in Singapore?
Don’t litter, eat on the MRT, bring in chewing gum or a vape, take a “choped” seat, or leave your tray at a hawker centre.
Is tipping rude in Singapore?
Not rude, but not expected. Restaurants with “++” prices already add a 10% service charge.
What does “lah” mean in Singapore?
It is a Singlish particle added at the end of a sentence to soften it or add emphasis, as in “don’t worry lah”.
What does “chope” mean?
To reserve something, usually a seat at a hawker centre, often with a packet of tissues on the table.
Read next
This page belongs to Visiting Singapore, our guide for first-time visitors. For the places where these manners matter most, see our 3-day itinerary and What to Wear in Singapore.
Sources: etiquette and language notes are desk knowledge from people who live here; legal penalties are sourced on Singapore Laws and Fines Visitors Should Know. Last updated 28 September 2026.
