Evaluating Intercultural Behavior
Being practically a foreigner in Singapore...you could say that everyday pretty much equals intercultural interaction. Still, I have been here quite a while and have had to learn the sort of basic language types as well as traditions that need to be respected. In essence, experience is a very important aspect when it comes to intercultural behavior.
By language, I mean that for some reason people seem to mistake me for either a Malay or a Chinese. Local Malays and Chinese often tend to assume either and speak to me in the respective language.
Malay, I studied in school previously so it is not really that much of a problem unless they speak far too quickly for my rudimentary knowledge to understand. Usually its fine though, school actually helped me in life for once O.o.
Chinese, on the other hand, I had to sort of understand on an experience basis, as well as trial and error. I sort of know what words mean like say...I don't know how to say it....but...lets just say Chinese words for "where", "how to go" and maybe "don't want" or "want". These are words I often get asked since many people tend to communicate with me for directions and the like. From there, I sort of just go with what they are saying and help them accordingly. Another bit I often end up with is with counting money. That, I actually went out to learn. Things like "dollar" would be "mao" or sth like that....and 1 to 10, would be like "I er san si...." (I have no idea how to write in dat dere pinyin).
So yea....language is a very big part of intercultural behavior, especially if you know little about the culture. When I first came here like 11 years ago, I'd say things like taking off your shoes when entering someone else's house and seeing people burning josssticks were very new and unusual to me. Eventually I learned it was a common thing and sort of learned to follow up and not be completely surprised when people do them here.
Overall, I would say Singapore has many different cultures in it and is a very interesting place in that sense, and is a place where you can see inter-culture everywhere =3
John! If you dont mind.. You mean back in your home town, you do not take off your shoes when you enter a house? Wont the shoes make the floor dirty? I am glad that you find Singapore an interesting place. In Singapore although there are many different race and culture but we can all identify with common things like food and Singlish which makes Singaporeans very unique! However it is still important to know what are the dos and donts for each race. It is a form of respect to the different races. :)
ReplyDeleteYea...you just kind of go in...course you don't go in with obviously very dirty shoes now..hehe..
Delete"Language is a barrier" to quote Yu Xin on my post hahahaha
ReplyDeletePretty much =D ahaha.
DeleteHey John, wa time really flies for you in Singapore! Guess you are pretty much a Singaporean by now too :D anyways, it was a wise choice for you to pick up the various languages since this would help you in communication. For myself, I am kinda ashamed to admit that despite growing up with my grandparents, I have not managed to pick up dialect and as a result, I can only communicate with them in Chinese :/
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I have been to the Philippines and yup, I realize your just enter the house with shoes, reminds me of the American culture too :D However, just to sidetrack, I find the Filippinos very warm and welcoming, and I feel that we Singaporeans should learn that too!