Transcript Singapore Hawker Centers

Singapore
Hawker
Centers
Singapore Hawker Centers
• Population 4.5 million (July 2006 est.)
• 692.7 sq km - slightly more than 3.5 times the
size of Washington, DC
• Singapore was founded as a British trading
colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian
Federation in 1963 but separated two years later
and became independent. It subsequently
became one of the world's most prosperous
countries with strong international trading links
(its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of
tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal
to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
• Mix of various cultural and ethnic groups – all headed to
a unique eating center, the Hawker Center. Integration
of variety, efficiency, tremendous energy, safety, and a
symbiosis of the old and the new.
• Chinese (77%), Malays (14%), Indians (8%); High
population density
• Govt encourages collectivism – govt housing • Ethnic diversity but unity
• Govt encourages ethnic groups to coexist – in the spirit
of international competition – program called “Shared
Values” – ideals: place society above self; uphold family
as basic building block; resolve conflict through
consensus; racial and religious tolerance. They end up
being competitive collectivists. Instead of Kiasu-ness,
“the ugly American”.
• Efficiency: order quickly; niceties not necessary
among Singaporeans; technology runs society;
they tend to deemphasize leisure; Single
Desperate Ugly, speed dating events
• Power of Women – as likely to hold high
positions as men
• Safety – lots of fines – strict control by govt; high
degree of collectivism but also high degree of
power distance