In social behaviour, Singaporeans tend to be modest. Modesty requires them to be
averse to self – assertion and to express humility at a compliment. By being modest,
the Singaporeans appear to lack assertiveness. They are very careful not to be seen as
braggarts and they are not to make promises they are not absolutely sure they can
fulfil” (Hofstede, 1997, P 79). In Singapore, people took down upon fools “who do
not know their own limits”. Bragging, boasting, lack of modesty and humility are
traits which can cause trouble and envy (JoAnn Meriwether Craig, 1993). They
believe that they should demonstrate competence in action rather than bragging about
how well they might do the job.