Values of Singaporean Culture

Common Behaviours in Singapore:

  • It is very common to see people using their mobile phones at the table and not communication with the people they are dining with
  • Tipping is not common
  • It is typical for food to be brought out when it is ready regardless of whether the other people at the same table have their food

What Values of Singaporean Culture do you think would explain the behaviours listed above?

I think the behaviours can be explain by looking into how, as Singapore is a very industrialised country, Singaporeans tend to value work achievements very highly and a lot of Singaporeans are very work driven and value their income as a form of high reward. This can explain why it is common for tipping to not be common as money that is earned is very valued and not typically shared with others as pressure from parents encourage the value of saving money for the future. Something that may come along with a very work driven population is a more individualistic society as achievements and rewards and kept to themselves, possible explaining how

Initial Reflection

After taking a year and a half off of nor swimming, I have recently decided to restart swimming this year. I grew up swimming at the Hollandse Club ever since I’ve lived in Singapore which started in Grade 4. I was quite good at swimming as I grew up training around 2-3 times a week but I never found it that interesting or enjoyable to do, my main motivation was my parents as they kept me dedicated to the sport as I grew up by making sure I went to my training as often as I physically could, which is a good lesson of perseverance they could teach me at that age. Ever since I’ve restarted swimming I find it a bit easier to stay motivated than when I was younger as I find the exercise more rewarding as I did before as I am more educated on the positive outcomes of exercise. Before I took my break from swimming last year, I swam with a friend which was a good way for motivation for both of us as we both were never too thrilled about training, we would make sure the other showed up so that we could train together as it made it more bearable. I aim to train 3 times a week but especially during IB as the workload is increasing ,I find it more difficult to keep up with my schedule of 3 trainings a week. Another thing that motivates me to go to training is the feeling after of healthy fatigue, I’m generally happier after I do exercise such as swimming due to the neurological effects of exercise, this is another reason of motivation for me as I enjoy that feeling afterwards(LO4). During the past one and a half months, my mother especially has been helping me to stick to this schedule and motivate me, by just making sure that I go and don’t make silly excuses to skip a training. Although my mom is trying to motivate me as much as she can, I never really feel as committed as I used to, finding it harder and harder to tell myself that I should go to training rather than taking a nap for example. Another aspect of swimming I have been struggling with is the planning. As I am now much older and have been part of the team for a long time, I have more responsibilities now, meeting with my coaches and planning sessions, even planning how to teach the younger kids on the weekend. Coming in on Saturdays to teach infants how to swim, where I have to come early to plan with my fellow coaches(LO3).