Living in a Multicultural City I

Insights from Singapore

We recently featured the most multicultural cities in the world on our Social Media channels. You might wonder how it feels to live in a multicultural environment where multiple languages are spoken, and different customs and traditions are commonplace. We interviewed Chris, English trainer at inlingua Singapore and asked him, how the multicultural environment has shaped his way of thinking and what he values most about living in a diverse space.

1. What do you like most about living in Singapore?

”There are a lot of things to like about living in Singapore.  As a tropical, multicultural metropolis with a high standard of living, Singapore is comfortable and full of interesting people.  For people who love summer, the weather is perfect for going to the beach, though too humid.  Singapore is a tiny nation with a booming economy, so it’s easily policed and one of the safest places in the world.  The government is interested in the welfare of its residents and the quality of education and healthcare is of a high standard.  As a nation with four official languages, communication can be a fascinating blend of sounds, words and phrases.”

2. Can you feel that you live in a multicultural city? How does that manifest itself in everyday life?

”Singapore is not only a multicultural city but has 4 official cultural groups.  Just walking down the streets, the variety of faces, dress and speech reveal the depth of Singapore’s multiculturalism.  Most housing is government controlled with “racial quotas” enforcing certain percentages of apartment ownership by the 4 main culture groups, so you will always see a mix of cultures even around your home.  Many signs and announcements come in multiple languages, with the majority of Singaporeans speaking more than one language.  There are so many restaurants representing food from so many Asian cuisines, not to mention all the fusion.  Having a large Muslim population, you can see more business at restaurants and markets with halal certification.  Mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples churches and synagogues can be found sometimes within the same block.  Holidays are also divided amongst Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu special days.  In Hungry Ghost Month, the side-streets are littered with ashes from burnt offerings to ancestors.  During Ramadan, fasting colleagues sometimes go home early and it’s impossible to find a place to eat out at sunset.  Deepavali and Thaipusam are some of the most colourful spectacles of the year.”

3. Has multiculturalism shaped your way of thinking? If yes, how?

”Multiculturalism has always been right in front of my face.  It’s been impressed into me since I was young that culture is an important part of identity and that we must strive to recognize and respect that value as much for others as we feel it for ourselves.  Respecting cultural values is one of the most important values in building a cohesive society, particularly as the world grows more connected day by day.  But I have also seen the incongruous moments when this is not as easy as it sounds and have recognized the effects of dominant cultures on minority cultures.  I’ve learned that, just like relationships between individual personalities, relationships between cultures can be a bumpy road, but there will always be more benefit in unity than in separation.  I’ve also seen that culture is constantly evolving and mixing and that, like individuals, culture needs the opportunity to grow.”

4. Have you personally faced any downsides of multiculturalism?

”While multiculturalism has ideas of collaboration and respect at its core, as a rigid policy it can also be harmful, particularly to individuals who often struggle with plans meant to benefit groups at a larger scale.  Housing quotas restrict opportunities for many, though protecting opportunities for others.  Cultural conflicts can also affect relationships as the closer people get, the more some may expect those close to them to adopt the same values.   Also, while society may prioritize a certain vision of multiculturalism, groups that don’t fit that broad, simplistic vision may continue to face disadvantage.  People who don’t fit neatly into traditional categories may have special advantages or may also be rejected by groups who define themselves by distinction from other groups, rather than by seeing themselves as a contributing factor to a larger, varied but unified culture: that of Singapore as unified culture itself.”

5. What are the positive aspects about living in a multicultural environment?

”The pure joy of having people who are different from myself is the main benefit of multiculturalism in my life.  Experiencing new ways of thinking and using new perspectives to re-examine my own is a continual inspiration and motivation.  Language is often the key as connecting with others’ in their first language can be a more personal and emotional experience.  As a food-lover, the continual mixing and creativity created by cultures combining and sharing will always produce results I can appreciate daily!  Finally, the understanding of the things that connect us, often unexpectedly, helps to make me a more empathic and supportive member of my community at a local, civic, national and global level.  Being a more supportive member of my community means more friends, more work, more opportunities and more growth.  As they say: if you want to go fast, travel alone; if you want to go far, travel together.”

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