Work-based interactions between Singaporeans and foreigners on the rise

According to Singapore Kindness Movement’s (SKM) latest Graciousness Survey, more Singaporeans are regularly interacting with non-Singaporeans in professional settings. In 2016, only 38% of locals cited that they communicate with their foreign counterparts on a daily basis at work. Now, however, the situation has improved, with close to half (46%) of Singaporeans interacting with non-locals.

Dr William Wan, general secretary of SKM, said: “I hope that we will continue to amplify this in the decisions that we make in everyday scenarios – be it interacting with…..our colleagues at work or welcoming new residents into our neighbourhoods.”

Interestingly, interactions between Singaporeans and foreigners do not fare as well in social settings as they do in professional settings. While most respondents of the survey agree that there is more mutual understanding and appreciation of each other, there is a recognition that more could be done to create opportunities for casual interaction.

Locals and non-locals alike continue to look to the government to foster more of such opportunities for greater interaction. Digging deeper, just 26% of Singaporeans feel a sense of personal responsibility to assimilate with their foreign counterparts while more than half (56%) of the non-locals surveyed cited that it is up to them to integrate into Singapore’s culture and norms, as well as with the local residents.

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