Singapore Figured Out

What Does "++" Mean on Singapore Menus? The Hidden 19% That Every Foreigner Gets Surprised By "I ordered what I thought was a S$28 dinner in Singapore. The bill came to S$33.40. I asked the waiter what happened — he pointed to the tiny '++' at the bottom of the menu. I had no idea what that meant." Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H You sit down at a restaurant in Singapore. The menu looks reasonable — S$18 for a main course, S$6 for a drink. You mentally calculate S$24 for dinner. Then the bill arrives and it says S$28.56. You look confused. The waiter points to a small "++ " printed at the bottom of the menu page. This happens to almost every foreigner in Singapore at least once. The "++" is not a typo. It's not a mistake. It's shorthand for two separate charges that are automatically added to your bill — and understanding exactly what they are, how they work, and where they don't apply will change how y...

How to Buy Medicine in Singapore Pharmacies: Guardian & Watsons Hacks, Pharmacist Rules & Prescription Traps (2026) Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H "The first time I walked into Watsons looking for a decongestant, the pharmacist asked for my passport and made me sign a form — I had no idea that was even a thing in Singapore."

How to Recover Lost Items in Singapore Taxis & Grab: Lost Phone Hacks, Police Reports & Driver Fees (2026) Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H Realizing you left your smartphone, passport, or wallet on the backseat of a Singapore taxi or ride-hailing vehicle can send anyone into a panic. While Singapore is world-famous for safety and high rates of returned lost property, knowing the exact steps to contact ride-hailing support, trace street-flagged taxis without a license plate, and file official Singapore Police Force (SPF) reports can mean the difference between getting your belongings back in an hour or losing them forever. Here is the ultimate 2026 expat and tourist survival guide to recovering lost property from Grab, Gojek, TADA, ComfortDelGro, and street taxis in Singapore safely and efficiently. 📱 Step 1: Recovering Items from Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab, Gojek, TADA) If you booked your ride using a mobile app, your c...

How Singapore Dining Receipts Work: The 10%+9% Tax Trap, Wet Wipe Scams & Chope Etiquette (2026) Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H Sitting down for a meal in Singapore often comes with a subtle form of sticker shock when the final bill arrives. A menu item listed at $20 can easily end up costing $23.98 or more due to layered taxes, mandatory service charges, and unrequested add-ons like wet wipes and tap water fees. Meanwhile, visiting local hawker centers requires knowing unwritten cultural rules like table reservation ("choping") to avoid confrontations. Here is the ultimate 2026 expat and tourist survival guide to understanding Singapore restaurant receipts, mastering tipping etiquette, saving money on hidden charges, and navigating local food culture smoothly. 💵 Step 1: The "+ +" Math Explained (10% Service Charge + 9% GST) When browsing restaurant menus in Singapore, always look closely at the bottom of the...

How to Fix Power Trips & Electrical Issues in Singapore: EMA LEW Rules, Landlord Repair Traps & Fuse Box Hacks (2026) Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H Plugging in an imported kitchen appliance and suddenly watching your entire Singapore apartment go dark is a classic expat rite of passage. Singapore’s high humidity, 230V grid system, and strict Energy Market Authority (EMA) safety standards mean electrical failures, tripped circuit breakers, and faulty wall switches happen far more frequently than newcomers expect. Hiring an uncertified handyman can lead to voided lease terms, fire risks, and hefty fines. Here is the definitive 2026 expat survival guide to fixing power trips safely, understanding Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) regulations, navigating landlord vs. tenant repair costs, and protecting your security deposit. ⚡ Step 1: Why Power Trips Happen & How to Reset Your DB Box When electricity cuts out in a sp...

How to Use Singapore Public Libraries as an Expat: NLB App Hacks, Libby E-Books & Foreign Membership Fees (2026) Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H Singapore’s National Library Board (NLB) manages 27 state-of-the-art public libraries, offering world-class reading spaces, study pods, multimedia facilities, and access to over 5.8 million physical and digital resources. For foreign residents (EP, S Pass, DP, Student's Pass, LTVP holders), accessing this network opens up incredible learning opportunities. However, many expats are confused about membership fee structures for foreigners, pass validity minimums, digital e-book synchronization with Libby, and how to read paid international news publications completely free. Here is the ultimate 2026 expat guide to obtaining a Singapore NLB library membership, saving on annual fees, borrowing physical books, and unlocking premium digital subscriptions. 🚨 Step 1: Foreigner Registration R...

How to Ride Taxis & Grab in Singapore: Airport Surcharge Traps, Surge Pricing Hacks & Child Seat Rules (2026) Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H Navigating point-to-point transport in Singapore goes far beyond hailing a traditional street taxi. With multiple ride-hailing platforms operating alongside licensed meter taxis—including Grab, Gojek, Tada, Ryde, and CDG Zig—foreign tourists and expats have plenty of options. However, unexpected surge pricing during tropical downpours, hidden location surcharges (especially at Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands), strict legal child seat requirements, and confusion between official taxi stands versus private hire pick-up points can lead to inflated fares or canceled rides. Here is the ultimate 2026 expat guide to riding taxis and ride-hailing services in Singapore, comparing app fares, beating peak-hour price surges, and avoiding legal penalty traps. 🚨 Step 1: Ride-Hailing Apps vs....