Culture
can be very well related to learning a language. It is like acquiring a
language; if you are able to master it effectively, you conquered it. However,
if you fail to do so, you will be defeated and be faced with glares and stares
and many a time leading to embarrass consequences.
There is
simply no hard and fast rule on how can we actually master adaptation to a new
cultural community as it is simply very wide and differ within culture to culture. Perhaps the best way would be to experience it through socialization, learn
from mistake and of course learning it with an open heart as it is often tough to
accept a new culture behavior.
Being a
Singaporean, no doubt we are living in a multi-cultural society. However we are
very bonded and indeed we lived very well together compromising each other
differences within our fast-paced society.
However,
the Singaporean-style may not always be applicable in many other foreign
countries. Let me share one of my experiences when I went over to Australia for
my holiday with my friends.
Australia
unlike Singapore adapts a more carefree and relaxed lifestyle. These cultural
differences often lead to Singaporean being unable to integrate into it since
we are so used to a fast-paced lifestyle.
Let’s take a look at two different scenarios.
Visit to
a café in Tasmania for lunch
Everything
seems to be the same as how a normal café in Singapore functions. However the
difference comes after we placed our order. After waiting for approximately more than half
an hour, the food that we ordered has not arrived. My friend who was in Aussie
for the first time start to get impatient and attempt to question one of the
waitress even though we advised not to. Being a aggressive broker in Singapore,
he simply can’t wait further and called the server and questioned her when the
food will be ready.
As
expected, instead of being apologetic as per the server in Singapore would be,
the server simply just gave a rather sarcastic smile and walked away. Neither
was the food served any sooner and only arrived after near an hour.
[Perhaps
it was longer due to my friend’s complaints…]
The
matter of fact is that, in Australia, due to their more relaxed, courteous life-style, it
is considered rude to rush the cook to serve the food. It is very common to
have to wait up to half an hour for the food to be served in café especially
during peak hour. The rule is never rush the cook.
Another
scenario worth to mention…
Driving
in Australia
In
Singapore, drivers on the road tend to honk other drivers very often even
though it might not be necessary. Common examples where we will honk would be
if the vehicle in front of us drives at a slower speed in the traffic of our
favor or perhaps if a vehicle get a little over our lane. This might be seemed
to be perfectly fine to most of the drivers in Singapore as it might be assumed
to be a honk of caution.
While I
was driving along the highly-jammed Goodwood road in Australia, many vehicle seem to be
moving at a rather slow speed despite the jam. Being a typical Singaporean
driver, once the traffic light turn to my favor and the vehicle ahead of me
didn’t seem to move off as quickly as I expected, I
subconsciously
pressed the honk with the
intention to alert the vehicle ahead to move off. However, what I got in return
after the pressing of the honk were glares and stares from the neighboring
drivers.
I was
then informed by my Aussie friends that pressing the honk is rather a taboo in
their country and unless in absolute emergency case, the honk were never used.
Using the honk unnecessary is deemed as rude and impolite and equivalent to be
asking for trouble. I was rather startled by these unique roads ethnic but have
no choice but only to follow through the slow traffic flow and refrain from my
highly tempted attempt to press the honk.
Unique
cultural differences exist in almost every community, down to the simplest
behavior. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial for us to be mindful and
respectful to the culture of others whenever we enter theirs. What may seem
fine in our culture may not be necessary fine for the others. It is always good
to be alert and appreciative to other culture to prevent any unnecessary
unhappiness and conflict.
