When I first landed at Changi Airport, I was prepared for the typical stuff: the humid weather, the spotless streets, and the delicious hawker food. But what I wasn’t prepared for was the unique work culture that hits you the moment you step into an office there. A lot of expats talk about Singaporean efficiency or the strict laws, but there’s more to it than that. After working there for twelve months, I realized there are some things that expats rarely mention—or sometimes don’t want to admit—about working in Singapore.
I’d like to share my personal experiences and observations, hoping that anyone thinking about a stint in Singapore can learn from what I went through. Keep in mind that not everyone’s journey will be the same, and I’m not speaking for every Singaporean or every company in Singapore. But these are the things I saw and felt personally while I was there.
1. Hierarchy is a subtle but powerful force
One of the first things I noticed was the strong sense of hierarchy within the workplace. This isn’t exclusive to Singapore, of course. In many parts of Asia, including Korea, we care about age, seniority, and official titles. But in Singapore, it sometimes felt even more pronounced in everyday interactions.
Colleagues would speak politely to their superiors, making sure to show respect at all times. Meanwhile, they often hesitated to challenge a manager’s ideas during meetings. That might be because they didn’t want to create conflict or appear disrespectful. I realized this could make it harder for people to share innovative or risky ideas that could end up benefiting the company. Some of my expat friends said they struggled with this because they were used to more open discussions back in their home countries.
There’s a balancing act here. In Korean workplaces, we also respect hierarchy, so this concept wasn’t completely foreign to me. But it did feel like it had extra weight in Singapore—especially in older, more traditional companies. If you’re an expat in Singapore, you might be surprised at how careful you have to be when giving feedback or suggesting changes, even if they seem obviously beneficial.
2. Pragmatism over passion
Singapore, as a country, is famously pragmatic. From the well-organized public transport system to the rigorous approach to education, Singaporeans value practicality. In the workplace, this attitude shows up in the way employees handle tasks and deadlines. The mindset is often: “What’s the most efficient way to get this done?” Passion and creativity are appreciated too, but they sometimes take a back seat to tried-and-tested methods.
I experienced this firsthand when I worked on a few projects that involved creative input. My job required me to propose fresh ideas for content related to entertainment, and I remember being told more than once: “We should stick to the proven formula.” It wasn’t that my colleagues weren’t creative—many of them had awesome ideas. It’s just that in a results-driven environment, they were less willing to risk the unknown.
As someone who loves breaking down trends in K-pop and K-drama, I found the focus on reliability refreshing but also a bit stifling. I come from an industry in Korea where people chase trends aggressively, sometimes to the point of being reckless. In Singapore, it was more about methodical planning and guaranteed outcomes. If you thrive on controlled, predictable progress, you’ll enjoy Singapore’s work culture. But if you’re looking for a place to experiment wildly, be ready for some gentle pushback.
3. Face-saving and conflict avoidance
In many Asian cultures, we’re taught to “save face,” meaning we protect each other’s dignity and avoid embarrassing anyone in public. In Korea, there’s a similar sense of politeness, but I found Singapore’s version to be especially strong in the workplace. People will go out of their way to avoid overt conflict. If there’s an issue, it might get addressed indirectly or through very polite messages.
There were times when I only discovered a problem long after it started. By then, it was much harder to fix. My colleagues had tried to handle it discreetly, not wanting to create drama. Of course, this approach has its benefits—less drama at the office can mean a calmer work environment. But it can also lead to a build-up of unspoken tension. I learned that if you suspect an issue, sometimes you have to be the one to address it first, and do so gently but directly.
4. Work-life balance can be hit or miss
People often say Singapore is a great place for work-life balance. True, it’s common for companies to respect personal time, and the city’s convenient public transport system means you’re not stuck in traffic for hours. But many expats don’t talk about the other side of the coin: certain industries in Singapore are extremely competitive and require long hours.
A friend of mine worked in finance, and he rarely left the office before 10 p.m. Another acquaintance worked for a big tech firm, and while her official hours ended at 6 p.m., she regularly found herself logged in until late at night. Sure, you don’t have the same punishing commute you might have in places like Seoul or Tokyo, but you can still get caught in a cycle of endless work if you’re not careful.
5. The “kiasu” mentality is real
“Kiasu” is a Hokkien term often translated as “afraid to lose” or “fear of missing out.” This mentality shows up in many different ways in Singaporean culture, from queuing up for hours for freebies to meticulously comparing job offers and promotions. In the workplace, it can mean that your Singaporean colleagues are highly competitive—they don’t want to be left behind.
I remember once, a coworker found out our project’s budget was slightly smaller than another department’s budget. She immediately went to our manager and asked if we could negotiate for a higher budget so we wouldn’t appear less important. At first, I thought this was just typical office politics. But the more I observed, the more I realized how “kiasu” mentality drives people to strive for the best possible outcome in everything they do. It’s not just about competition, but also about not wanting to miss any chance for improvement.
As an expat, this can be challenging if you come from a culture that’s more laid-back. It can feel like everyone around you is constantly hustling. But on the flip side, this “kiasu” mindset can also push you to reach new heights in your career because you’re surrounded by people who genuinely want to excel.
6. The multicultural environment is a double-edged sword
One of the things I loved most about working in Singapore was the multicultural office environment. You’d hear a mix of Mandarin, English, Malay, Tamil, and other languages floating around the office. People from all over the world come to work in Singapore, so there’s this vibrant blend of backgrounds and perspectives. It taught me to be more open-minded and adapt to different communication styles.
However, this diversity can also lead to misunderstandings if you’re not careful. Cultural norms around communication, punctuality, and conflict resolution can vary greatly. You might find yourself unintentionally offending someone just because you didn’t realize a certain gesture or phrase is taboo in their culture. While Singapore is generally tolerant and everyone is used to diversity, you still need to watch what you say or do. Patience, empathy, and a willingness to learn from each other are key to making the most of the multicultural environment.
7. People rarely talk about their true feelings
Finally, one thing that surprised me was how seldom Singaporean colleagues openly expressed frustrations about work. Back in Korea, it’s not uncommon to vent with coworkers or friends after a tough day. We might head to a bar, have some soju, and let it all out. But in Singapore, I found that people generally kept their complaints private. They’d share them only with their closest friends or family.
On one hand, this creates a calm and professional atmosphere. On the other hand, it can be tough for an outsider or new expat to gauge how people are truly feeling about a project or a team dynamic. You might only find out about someone’s dissatisfaction after they’ve handed in their notice.
Conclusion: Embrace the good and be mindful of the challenges
My year in Singapore taught me a lot—both personally and professionally. I learned to pay attention to hierarchy, respect the “face-saving” culture, and adapt to a more pragmatic way of working. I also learned that beneath the surface of all that efficiency and politeness, there’s a bustling environment of ambition, competition, and quietly held opinions.
If you’re moving to Singapore for work, be ready to adapt. Be patient with the culture, and understand that what you see on the surface might not always tell the whole story. Learn to recognize the subtle cues—when people are being polite instead of direct—and be willing to ask clarifying questions. You’ll find that Singapore is an incredibly rewarding place to build your career. You just have to navigate its unspoken rules and embrace its unique blend of efficiency, multiculturalism, and intense drive.
As a Korean journalist who spent a year there, I can say that it was challenging, but also one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I returned to Seoul with a deeper appreciation for Singapore’s approach to work, and a better understanding of how cultural differences can shape office dynamics. Now, when I’m reporting on the latest celebrity scandal involving Kim Soo-hyun or discussing K-pop album sales, I sometimes think back to my time in that sleek, modern city-state. It reminded me that there’s so much more to learn about the world than what goes on in the entertainment industry—and that every experience, no matter how challenging, can make us more adaptable, empathetic, and open-minded in the long run.
