Hougang Bike Shop Puts Up Safe Distancing Advisory in 11 Languages & Got Praised For ‘Multiculturalism’

Multiculturalism is a way of life in Singapore.

During Hari Raya, Chinese neighbours give green packets to their Malay counterparts while during Chinese New Year, children in HDB estates can expect to get ang baos from all of their neighbours, regardless of race.

And in the sleepy neighbourhood of Hougang (except when there’s a general election going on), one particular bike shop made internet headlines for bringing the message of multiculturalism home.

Hougang Bike Shop Puts Up Safe Distancing Advisory in 11 Languages, Praised For ‘Multiculturalism’

On 2 Feb 2021, Redditor Lascin86 uploaded an intriguing image onto the forum.

For those who can’t tell, it’s an advisory asking people to not crowd the shop front for safe distancing reasons…in 11 different languages.

There are four languages commonly heard in Singapore (English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil), as well as seven others that are not so common.

They are Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, German, Thai, Korean and Malayalam.

And, as expected, Redditors immediately turned up to this weird spectacle.

One asked what sorcery was involved:

While another pointed out that the Tagalog was “spot on”.

Of course, many are also praising the owner of the bike shop that is displaying the multiculturalism that Singapore is known for.

In fact, multiculturalism in Singapore isn’t just acknowledged by us, but also by people living outside of Singapore:

Well, I don’t know about you but this makes me feel warm inside, in the right places.

Multiculturalism in S’pore

Singapore is all about multiculturalism.

Even our latest UNESCO success, the inclusion of Singapore’s hawker culture as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”, is a symbol of multiculturalism in Singapore.

While Singapore wasn’t the first country to bring its food culture to the UNESCO list, it is the first food culture on the list that represents more than one single culture and belief.

Shortly after it was announced that Singapore’s bid to get Singapore’s hawker culture UNESCO-ed was a success, the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said:

Singapore’s hawker culture is a source of pride for Singapore and all Singaporeans. It reflects our living heritage and multiculturalism, and is an integral part of the daily lives of everyone in Singapore regardless of age, race or background.”

I’ve got a quick question: 11 languages are good and all, but are all of them really needed since not many are travelling into Singapore right now?

Featured Image: Reddit Singapore