Working Culture Differences Between the United States and Singapore
It was a normal Monday morning when I started a meeting with my two colleagues, Bryan Toh and Gary Smith. As their names suggest, Bryan is a born and bred Singaporean and Gary is a New Yorker currently working in Singapore.
In the midst of our professional and serious discussion, Bryan commented in his thick Singlish accent, “Aiyo, dis report so bad one leh! So ma fan, have to redo lor!” I could only nod my head in agreement while Gary looked puzzled and innocently begged his pardon since he probably wasn’t aware that a single word of that was English!
Lost in translation? Well, as Chow Yun Fat in Pirates of the Caribbean 3 said, “Welcome to Singapore!”
Local jargon is only one of the many differences between US and Singapore’s working culture. There are several other differences that are mainly caused by different circumstances and cultural values of the two nations. Please be mindful that these differences are captured based on author’s observation and personal working experiences in both countries.
Firstly, as one of the major trade and industry countries in South East Asia, businesses in Singapore face constant market competition from both local and global growing competitors. In effect, its work pace is rapid, dynamic and often challenging.
Not surprisingly, personal excellence is of the essence and employees are expected to be highly productive and fully committed to work.
A typical working life in Singapore would generally be, well, work, work and work with little time for play.
Nonetheless, the challenging environment juxtaposed with the current vibrant Asian economic development provide extensive room of growth for professionals as they have greater opportunity to acquire various skill sets, knowledge, experiences in their career and even entrepreneurship opportunities.
In contrast, the work pace in United States is relatively slower and there is a common expectation for employers to respect its employees’ work and life balance. Hence, working hours are shorter and much room is given for employees to spend their time with their loved ones. It’s very common for companies to have family-themed events regularly, such as ‘Bring Your Kid (or Pet) to the Office’ day, holding corporate events in sport games by inviting their employee’s families to come along (usually baseball games) and many more.
Many companies also encourage their female employees with children to work from home so they can spend time with their children without losing work productivity. After work activities usually ranges from casual drinking at a local pub, or hitting the greenery for some round of golf with colleagues.
Day to day interaction between colleagues is also different in the States compared to Singapore. Candor in communication and good personal relationship are deemed as crucial factors for a successful business, hence these values are reflected in US’ working culture.
For example, colleagues will spend the first few minutes of a meeting for casual talks before the real work-related conversation take place. In US, your colleagues know the names of your fiancé, husband/wife, even sometimes your pet (!!) and often mention them as if they are related.
In general, relationship between workers and even with their superior tends to be more casual and sometimes personal.
This slightly differs in Singapore, where Asian values still have an influence in showing respect to your superior or being polite to others, including your clients, despite of heavy influence from the western culture in its society.
In general, the relationship between colleagues is also still somewhat rigid, unless there is an already established relationship between the individuals. The same rule applies for attitude towards clients or superiors. People tend to prioritize on productivity and results on top of efforts in developing deeper and personal rapport to others, unless it relates to business.
In short, it’s business first and relationship later.
Those were the striking working culture differences between Singapore and the States, among others, but in general both countries also share loads of similarities; same standard of professionalism and work ethic for an example.
Another major similarity between Singapore and the States is also how both countries have become a ‘melting pot’ for global citizens, where one can work alongside people from other countries, and international ambience is evident in its working culture.
In conclusion, the two nations have their own strengths and weaknesses through these differences. None of the two is perfect, and it will not be fair to decide which is best, as it’s like comparing apple to orange.
The bottom line is which country fits you best for working and living at your particular timeframe? There is no right answer to it; you just have to be wise to decide whether to be here, or there.
