Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
294
hawker centers, bars, and nightclubs ar
e
(GMT). I nternational time differ ences
will change during daylight saving or sum-
mer time. Basic time differences are: New
York -13, Los Angeles -16, Montreal -13,
Vancouver -16, London -8, B risbane +3,
Darwin +1, M elbourne +2, S ydney +3,
and Auckland +4. For the current time in
Singapore, call
&
1711.
TIPPING
While tipping is not exactly
discouraged at hotels, at bars, and in taxis,
it is not the norm here. A gratuity is auto-
matically added into guest checks, but
servers rarely see any of it. While tipping is
not expected, I typically leav e the small
bills behind in r estaurants and bars, I tell
the cabbie to “keep the change ”, and I
always give bellhops at least S$2 (US$1.35/
90p) per bag in all hotels. I
smoke-free, with the ex ception of desig-
nated smoking areas. Establishments with
outdoor seating can allocate 20% of this
space for a smoking ar ea. Nightclubs can
have smoking rooms inside their premises,
but this r oom cannot ex ceed 10% of the
club's total floor space.
TAXES
Many hotels and restaurants will
advertise rates follo wed by “++.” The first
+ is the goods and ser vices tax (GST ),
which is levied at 7% of the purchase. The
second + is a 10% gratuity charge. S
ee
chapter 8 for information on the GST
Tourist R efund Scheme, which lets y ou
recover the GST for purchases over S$100
(US$67/£45) in value.
TELEPHONES
Public telephones can
be found in booths on the str eet or back
near the toilets in shopping malls, public
buildings, or hotel lobbies. Local calls cost
S10¢ (US7¢/5p) for 3 minutes at coin-
and car d-operated phones. I nternational
calls can be made only from public phones
designated specifically for this purpose.
International public phones will accept
either a stored-value phone card or a credit
card. P hone car ds for local and interna-
tional calls can be pur chased at Singapore
Post branches, 7-E leven conv enience
stores, or moneychangers—make sure you
specify local or international phone car d
when you make your purchase.
For mor e information, see “S taying
Connected” in “P lanning Your Trip to
Singapore,” p. 50.
TIME
Singapore S tandard Time is 8
hours ahead of G
t is always
appreciated.
TOILETS
Clean public toilets can be
found in all shopping malls, hotels, and
public buildings. S maller restaurants may
not be up on their cleanliness, and beware
of the “ squatty potty ,” the Asian-style
squat toilet, which y ou see in the mor e
“local” places. Carry plenty of tissues with
you, as they often run out.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
U.S.
Dept. of S tate Travel Advisory:
&
202/
647-5225 (manned 24 hr.)
U.S. Passport Agency:
&
202/647-0518
U.S. Centers for D isease Control Inter-
national Traveler's Hotline:
&
404/332-
4559
WATER
Tap water in S ingapore passes
World Health Organization standards and
is potable.
A
reenwich M ean Time
2
AIRLINE & HOTEL WEBSITES
MAJOR AIRLINES THAT SERVICE CHANGI
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Air France
www.airfrance.com
Air India
www.airindia.com
