X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

8 ways to identify a Singaporean when you're overseas

3 min read
8 ways to identify a Singaporean when you're overseas

Did you say, "free?"

Being overseas can be a great experience for many. Seeing amazing sights, eating glorious food, meeting new people and even shopping for things that are not usually found here in Singapore are all a part of the experience of being overseas. Though in a foreign land, you might be able to come across a few fellow countrymen, and spotting them isn't so hard. Check out these 8 ways to identify a Singaporean when you're overseas:

#1 The accent

singaporean1

You can hear them from a mile away, especially when you hear phrases such as, "This one cheaper leh!" or "Oh my gosh, so pretty hor?"

#2 Patting any seat before sitting down

singaporean2

Here's a scenario: You're seated in a crowded restaurant, and waiting for your food to arrive. You see a family walk in and spot a seat near you, so they rush over and just before sitting down, they start patting their seats before taking a seat. You might also overhear them saying, "Wah so lucky, got seat!"

#3 Comparing prices

singaporean3

"Eh this one cheaper here! Faster buy!"
"So expensive! Go back Singapore buy cheaper."
"Check your calculator leh, see how much the price difference."
"So cheap only? Buy 10! Go back sell!"

#4 Comparing the weather

singaporean4

"Aiyoh here so hot, Singapore also not so hot."
"Wah so cold! I miss the weather back in Singapore."

#5 Bargaining

singaporean5

This one's an obvious sign. You might overhear them trying to get a bargain deal on the t-shirt that they're trying to buy, or even on shoes. A true Singaporean would've mastered the art of bargain hunting, especially at flea markets.

#6 They'll take anything that's free

singaporean6

There are usually free samples being given out at malls, and it's easy to spot a Singaporean when you see an Asian person taking samples of the product, and asking if they could have more, claiming that they need a few more for their family. Some even feel no shame about eating free food samples.

#7 Complacency

singaporean7

As Singapore is a pretty safe place, we tend to leave our belongings behind when chope-ing seats. We sometimes bring this habit across the borders when we are trying to reserve seats, and this can be pretty dangerous as theft can easily happen.

#8 Asking for a new piece when purchasing clothes

singaporean8

You see them at the stores, you hear them bargaining, and finally, you hear them asking the golden question, "This one got new piece?"

 

What are some other ways that you can easily identify a Singaporean when overseas? Share with us in the comments below!

Partner Stories
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Learn How Your CPF Savings Can Safeguard Your Healthcare Needs and Provide Peace of Mind
Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Learn How Your CPF Savings Can Safeguard Your Healthcare Needs and Provide Peace of Mind

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Claudia Chia

  • Home
  • /
  • Lifestyle
  • /
  • 8 ways to identify a Singaporean when you're overseas
Share:
  • Can you relate to these Singaporean traits?

    Can you relate to these Singaporean traits?

  • You know you are a Singaporean parent when...

    You know you are a Singaporean parent when...

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

  • Can you relate to these Singaporean traits?

    Can you relate to these Singaporean traits?

  • You know you are a Singaporean parent when...

    You know you are a Singaporean parent when...

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.