No international recognition, no Olympic medals, no productivity awards, and no newspaper-worthy behaviour. Just random things that we Singaporeans do that make us awesome.

1. Universal way of saying “Good morning” to your teachers.

Original picture from NIE Singapore.

Doesn’t matter whether you’re from a school in Bedok or Boon Lay, for some strange reason we greet our teachers “Good morning Mrs So-and-so” in the exact same way. Don’t believe this? Try it with any of your friends from different schools. International schools not counted.

2. Beating the bus seat before sitting down.

Source: Gifif.com

Source: Heavy

An ancient skill passed down by observing old aunties whacking the seats on the bus before sitting down. Dispels heat and sanitises the seat. True story. Works on the hard plastic MRT seats as well but must whack loud loud.

3. Slowing down to take down accident plate numbers.

People in other countries slow down to look at accidents because they are curious and nosy. We do that too, except we also get 4D numbers out of it. And for extra measure, if the car has been hit from behind we have to buy the car plate number in reverse.

4. Apologise in as many languages as possible before peeing in the wild.

Original image from DemocraticUnderground

This is a standard SOP for all NSF and NSmen. It wasn't written in any of the IMs but we all still knew what to do. We did this regardless of language, race or religion. Oh, and must avoid banana plants and Frangipani plants.

5. Do you want to marr.... ballot BTO?

HDB slip from mylifeyourstory.

Unless you want a three to five-year long engagement or start your marriage living with the in-laws, the trend is to 'chope' a flat first before popping the big question. But of course many ladies are of the view that this should be a quirk that must be abolished and never mentioned again. Forever. Like diamonds.

6. Always tear extra 15 minutes for parking coupons.

Every bit we take from the Government counts!

7. Everyone sprints to their car when they hear 'Saman saman!'

Source: Lawebloca

Like the spiders in the gif above, once we hear the 'saman' siren you will see many people scattering to their cars to put more coupon. If only we are as responsive when we hear SCDF sounding their alarm.

8. Drink water out of durian shells.

No scientific basis for drinking out of durian shells, but we still think it's supposed to prevent a sorethroat after our durian binges.

9. Using 20-cent coins to pluck facial hair.

Original picture from uforest.

Tweezers cost at least $1.00 and upwards. Well coins are... coins. You can use them to buy tissue later in case you pluck until your chin starts bleeding.

10. Using tissue paper to chope seats.

Source: Theory.isthereason

We have no idea how it came about but it's an effective way to mark territory during the lunch-hour battle. Advanced users will employ umbrellas, staff passes, name cards, bottles of water and bags of shopping.

This article was inspired by Iconsof.sg.

Find Mothership.SG on Facebook and Twitter.