The reason for their draconian laws is not to scare tourists off from holidays in the city, rather on the contrary, to make Singapore a fantastic, adorable place. Singapore is an melting pot of all kinds of people from across the globe but particularly in Asia. It has its own character, and it needs to protect itself to remain as enchanting as it is. Think of Singapore like the crossroads between India, Pataya and mainland China.
The following set of suggestions are probably the most important travel tips for your vacation in the city, the sort of holiday tips that can help you make it positively memorable. The reason why locals sometimes refer to their island as a fine country is because it is a fine country, and also because it has so many laws and regulations that you could very easily get fined to appalling 1000 amounts for trivial things, which would entirely ruin your vacation. So just stick to these pearls of wisdom and you will be alright.
As a form of punishment, caning is still regularly practised, and while a fine of 1000 Singaporean dollars may not deter all daredevils from breaking the law just for fun, the idea of a fair few cane blows with a thick rattan do. There are all kinds of people flooding into Singapore, and these people have different background, ethnicity, ways of life and grew up under different laws and regulations. So locals decided to impose a set of basic norms for all, and they are prepared to enforce these norms. So let's cover the most important ones.
Top Tip 1 for Your Singapore HolidayGums -Chewing, Bubble or OtherThe locals spent an awful lot on paving public places, and they intend to keep those marbles, granites and bricks, clean and sticky free. Chewing bubblegum on the MRT is against the law. The sale of bubblegum is banned. It is also against the law to bring in any sort of gum into Singapore. You could get caned. Get your toothpaste and mouth fresheners ready.
Top Tip 2 for Your Singapore HolidayDrinking and DrivingIn many other spots in South East Asia, driving after you had a drink or two is entirely tolerable if you do not cause an accident. Not here. If you get stopped by police, you are done in. Driving under the influence of alcohol, as a tourist while you are on vacation in the city may cost you more than a telling off. Then again, it is a crime.
Top Tip 3 for Your Singapore HolidaySpittingThis is not so much to regulate doe-eyed 18 year old girls, but rather to keep certain working-class ways of life at bay. In some corners of the world, it is proper or at least tolerable to clear your throat and spit in public places, the locals, just like many of us, find this nauseating, and decided to keep their city clean.
Top Tip 4 for Your Singapore HolidayPhotographyWhere it say no photography, it means you must not take photos. The army is big in the city, and they do not want inquisitive eyes. Moreover, I remember once I was asked by a guard not to take photos inside a shopping centre. He told me outside it was alright, but not in the lobby.
Top Tip 5 for Your Singapore HolidayInstigating hatred against racial or ethnic harmonySingaporeans worked very hard on this, and they will protect it. Do not focus on how different people may look and do not try to convert people. Do not malign others for what they are or believe in. Singapore is a place where there is a mosque, a Hindu Temple and a church in the same area. Moreover, you will also realise that worshippers get on with each another in perfect concord. So learn from them.
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