10 Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

RESERVING TABLES WITH TISSUE PACKETS *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

You might start off judging it — “Wait, did someone just claim a table with a tissue packet?” Fast forward a week,, and there you are, walking confidently into a hawker centre like a boss to claim a table with your very own tissue packet. Hey, it works. Commonly known as “chope”, reserving a table is a way of life here in +65. In the event without a tissue packet, water bottles or a bag work just fine too!

Supermarket And Online Grocers In Singapore – click here

JOINING QUEUES WITHOUT KNOWING WHY *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

In Singapore, a queue usually means something good is happening. Maybe it’s free food. Maybe it’s a viral cafe. Maybe it’s something you’re not even sure about, but you won’t be judged if you join it. A lot of people do so! Sure, you tell yourself you’ll just look but next thing you know, you’ve been queuing for 30 minutes and you're walking away with more shopping bags than you expected. Oops.

BEING AN EXPERT AT ORDERING KOPI *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

“Latte with oat milk less sugar” won’t fly at your local kopitiam in Singapore. Singapore’s local kopi is another level, and so is the ordering. With enough practice, you’ll be rattling off orders like an expert, saying things like “kopi siew dai”, “teh c peng” with each. Plus, how cute are the takeaway bags that those coffees come in?

Best Cafes For Work And Study In Singapore – click here

CALLING EVERYONE “AUNTY” AND “UNCLE” *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

In your first few occasions in Singapore, you might  hear someone refer to a taxi driver as “uncle” and think, “how cute”. Weeks later, you’re calling the cleaning lady “aunty,” your Grab driver “uncle,” and maybe even the hawker stall guy who’s clearly younger than you “uncle” too. But don’t worry, these are not insults, but more about building rapport. These terms are respectful and familiar to the locals – just don’t call your boss “uncle” too!

SAYING “CAN” TO EVERYTHING *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

Something unique to Singapore lingo is saying “can” to everything. Need something done? “Can.” Want to confirm plans? “Can.” Is something possible at work? “Can… is can”. Even if someone might not be agreeable to something, their first response is usually to still say “can ah”, leaving you confused on what is actually the truth. Who knows? You might end up making this your habit without realising too.

SWITCHING BETWEEN ENGLISH AND SINGLISH *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

You’ve always spoken perfect English, but then it happens without warning: you reply “lah” at the end of a sentence. Then “lor.” Then one day, you say, “Can lah, later I go eat first, then come back, can?” That’s the charm about Singlish. Part English, part local slang, part emotional expression — 100% addictive. Whether it’s “alamak,” “wah lao,” or “ok lah, I go first hor,” you’ll be speaking like a local without knowing it. And the locals will love you even more for it.

NAVIGATING PUBLIC TRANSPORT LIKE A PRO *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

Public transport in Singapore is fast, efficient, and cashless. You’ll become an expert at tapping your EZ-Link card or phone like it’s a full-on ritual. The best part? It also doubles as your gateway to paying for everything – from vending machines to shopping. And then when you become so efficient at it, you’ll start judging tourists who take two seconds too long to tap. “Just tap and go, lah!” you’ll mutter under your breath. Yup, you’re practically Singaporean now.

Navigating Public Transport In Singapore With Kids – click here

BECOMING OBSESSED WITH AIR-CON *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

It’s no secret that Singapore’s weather can be scorching. Which is why Singaporeans are always scrambling for the air-con. And when it’s cold or rainy season, you’ll start dressing in layers just because there’s rarely a chance to. If there’s one thing unpredictable about Singapore, it’s the weather.

Best Shopping Malls With Kids – click here

SPEAKING IN FOOD TERMS *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

In Singapore, food isn’t just a pastime – it’s a way of life. You’ll notice yourself greeting people with “eat already?” instead of “hello”, and conversation topics always circle back to food. You’ll judge places by their food options, and have debates with friends over where’s the best local dishes. That’s just part and parcel of living in food-obsessed Singapore!

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Singapore – click here

HAVING OPINIONS ABOUT MRT STATIONS & HAWKER STALLS *Local Habits You’ll Accidentally Pick Up As An Expat In Singapore

You used to get on whatever train came first. Now? You have a preferred MRT line. You know which station has the fastest escalators. You can give directions involving exact train exits. You even debate whether the Circle Line or Downtown Line is faster. Same goes for hawkers. You now fiercely defend your favourite char kway teow stall. Congratulations – you’ve become one of the locals.

Best Hawker Centres To Visit In Singapore – click here