Singapore

• Currency exchange in Singapore is done in banks as well as currency exchange booths found in almost every shopping mall. Generally, these booths offer better rates, opening hours and much faster service than banks.
• The Mustafa Mall, which is open 24 hours, accepts almost any currency at a very good rate with equal competitiveness as the small shops located at Change Alley next to Raffles Place MRT.
• Rates at the airport are not as good as in the city, so avoid exchanging there.
• The ATMs are easily available throughout Singapore in large numbers.

Singapore's unit of currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD), locally referred to as the 'Singdollar'. It is made up of 100 cents using coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, along with notes in the denomination of SGD 2, 5, 10 and 50, 100, 500 and 1000. 

Cards: Almost all the major credit card brands are widely accepted in Singapore including Visa and MasterCard (although a 3 % surcharge may be charged by some shops, taxis may charge up to 15 %).
Traveller's cheques are usually not accepted, however, can be cashed at most of the exchange booths.
EZ-Link and Nets Flash Pay cards are valid in case of some convenience stores and fast-food chains.

Singapore, in general, is an expensive country by the standards of the Asian countries. Although the city caters to the taste and interest of each kind of tourist, the minimum budget for backpackers, mid-rangers and luxury travellers are higher in comparison to the neighbouring countries. The cost of travelling in Singapore per day and per person (excluding hotel expense) is:
Budget Travel: Less than SGD 200
Comfortable Travel: SGD 200 - 400
Luxury Travel: SGD 400 plus

Being a multi-religious country, Singapore does not have a state-regulated religion which the citizens are supposed to follow. It is home to 10 religions, out of which Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity are the primary religions, while Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Sikhism, Jainism and others form the minority cluster. The Lion City is the ultimate melting pot, with the locals celebrating all festivals pompously, irrespective of the religion they follow. 

Read more about Religion in Singapore

• While meeting a Singaporean formally or informally, make sure to shake hands firmly with all, even when departing. A slight bow while shaking hands is considered respectful.
• Take off the shoes before entering any one's house. Also, remember to take them off before visiting any temple or mosque.
• Make sure never to pinpoint someone or something with a finger, just raise your hand for indication.
• Gender discrimination is a legal offence in Singapore; thus, take care not to disrespect anyone.
• Tipping is not customary in Singapore. Most of the restaurants add a 10% service charge in the bill, in which case, tipping is generally discouraged. Avoid tipping at hawker centres and food courts. Tipping is also completely prohibited at the Changi Airport.
• Refer to the middle-aged and elderly people as 'Uncle' or 'Auntie', as it is seen as a sign of respect in Singapore.
• While eating with chopsticks, do not stick them upright in the bowl. It is reminiscent of funeral rites and considered bad luck.
• Do not touch anyone's head, as it is considered sacred by many. On the contrary, the feet are regarded as dirty, so do not point them directly at someone.
• Casual clothes (shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops) are acceptable in most places in Singapore. Pack formal outfit and dress shoes for higher-end restaurants.

There are four official languages of Singapore: English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. Yes, Singapore language is as diverse and multi-cultural as its people! English is the most widely spoken language (primarily by the population below the age of 50), and the medium of instructions in school. English is also the language of business and government in Singapore, based on British English. 

A unique and widely spoken language in Singapore is the Singlish. It is primarily the colloquial form of English, having a distinct accent, and ignoring the basic standards of English grammar. Having a jumble of local slang and expressions of various languages and dialects of Singapore, speaking in Singlish is seen as a mark of being truly local! 

The major portion of the literate population in Singapore is bilingual, with English and Mandarin being most commonly spoken. Interestingly, all the schools in the city teach the language of the child's parentage, along with English, to ensure the child stay in touch with the traditional roots.

Read More About Singapore Languages

According to the historical records, the story of Singapore goes as back as the third century, then referred to as 'island at the end'. It was between 1298 and 1299 AD that the first settlement was established when the city came to be known as Tumasik or Sea Town. According to a legend, the current name of the country came into being during the 14th century when a prince of Palembang (capital of Srivijaya) saw an animal he had never seen before while on his hunting trip. Taking it as a good omen, he named the city as 'Singapura' or the 'lion city' derived from the Sanskrit words 'Simha' meaning 'lion' and 'pura' meaning.

Soon, the city located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula (natural meeting point of various sea routes) became the major trading hub for Arabs dhows, Chinese junk, Portuguese battleships and Buginese schooners. However, the modern city of Singapore was founded in the 19th century by Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles. After passing from various hands of power, the island was handed over to British in 1946 as its crown colony. The revolution for independence came about in 1959 when the country's first general elections were held and Lee Kuan Yew became first Prime Minister of Singapore. One can witness the imprints of the island's rich past and struggle at various museums, monuments and memorials.

Speakeasy cocktail bars, boutique beer stalls and artisan coffee artists - Singapore Nightlife has unearthed the gems of fine drinking. The clubbing scene in Singapore is fast developing, with futuristic clubs coming up on every corner. The beer scene is not far behind with more bars, cafes and restaurants jumping on the craft beer-bandwagon. While coffee is Singapore is not new, its speciality coffee scene is definitely a recent phenomenon. Inspired by artisanal coffee culture, the voguish cafes are brewing ethically sourced beans.

Pro-Tips

• Singapore is a lavish city to drink in, owing to the 25% alcohol tax hike in 2014. While beer at most bars in the city costs around SGD 10 to SGD 18, the cocktails commonly set you back between SGD 20 and SGD 30.
• For the cheaper option, explore the plastic-table-fluorescent-light-vibe at the local hawker centres and coffee shops, guzzling bottles of the famous Tiger Beer for SGD 7.
• Most of the bars have happy hours between 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. 
• Ladies' Night often runs on Wednesday at most places with promotions offering cheaper drinks to women.
• All regular bars add a 10% service charge and 7% GST to the bill.
• Be ready to queue up at most of the bars, especially on weekends and holidays.

Read More About Singapore Nightlife

Shopping in Singapore is second only to eating as a national pastime. From iconic malls in all shapes and sizes to the curated local boutiques and local shopping centres, the Lion City is known for its burgeoning shopping scene. While there are many shopping belts here, Orchard Road proudly stands as the queen of shopping malls with high-street brands, fashion houses and few discount outlets thrown into the mix. To hit city's independent boutiques - home to lesser known and emerging fashion labels - visit Tiong Bahru, Jalan Besar, or Haji Lane in Kampong Glam.

For the lovers of art and antiques, the best places to head are Dempsey Road, Chinatown, Tanglin Shopping Centre and Gillman Barracks. Shopping in Singapore is incomplete without picking up spices, decorative items and saris from Little India, especially for the touch of Indian hospitality in the Lion City. Being the quintessential cosmopolitan city, Singapore also houses one of the best markets for Persian Rugs and Aromatics (Kampong Glam), while offering a slice of Peranakan culture through the traditional batik garments available at Katong.

Pro-Tips

• Some stores in the bigger malls offer a discount of 10 to 15 percent for the bigger spends, so it's always worth asking
• While shopping at the local markets, it's good to know the price of the items, then browse and compare
• Prices at most of the places are usually fixed, except at local markets. If looking to bargain, do so good-humouredly
• Returns are generally not accepted
• The returning visitors often a 7% GST refund on the purchases under these conditions:
  1. A minimum spend of $100 at the same shop in one day for no more than 3 purchases
  2. Have a copy of eTRS ticket (Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme) issues by the shop of purchase
  3. Scan the eTRS ticket at self-help kiosks at the airport or cruise terminal to know if inspection of goods is required. In such cases, present the items with the original receipt and the boarding pass at Custom Inspection Counter

Read More About Best Markets for Shopping in Singapore