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.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Edmund
ReplyDeleteFinally a comment from me
Australians are known for their laid-back, easy-going, 'taking it easy' kind of life. In fact, they are rather notorious for it. I don't mean to sound accusing, but they have a reputation here in some circles for being 'lazy'. It is probably because the pace Down Under is much slower than it is here in Singapore, hence, the labeling.
I've experienced the 'Aussie way of life' myself while on holiday, and really, it is not for me. I think it wouldn't be for many people used to a fast living pace. I've even had an experience similar to yours in an Australian cafe right here in Singapore! Yes, even in Singapore, the Australian cafe I went to practised the Australian Way. The food was really good though.
As for honking, I don't think it is common in Singapore either. Drivers don't honk unnecessarily. But yes, in Singapore, it's really common to honk when the person ahead isn't moving. I think we do that because we think the driver ahead may be unaware of the lights that have turned green, or something of that sort. So it is mostly a well-meaning honk. And while you meant well, as it isn't a culture there do as we do here in Singapore, you got the reaction you received. I think the no honking thing was borne out of the peoples' own patience with other road users, which in turn I think was borne out of their easy-going lifestyle. People would get very impatient here in a jam, but as life Down Under is generally easy going, and people may not rush, they are more patient.
At this point, I would like to share my own story, not of Australia, but of India. The Indians love honking. They honk all the time. It is their road culture to honk, and most vehicles have stickers telling other road users to honk when approaching. People honk in all situations. I think the way to tell the difference in situation is the difference in honking intensity. I even had a driver who honked for fun, playing with it while listening to songs on the radio. Nobody seemed to mind either. Despite sounding chaotic, and looking chaotic, I feel very safe on Indian roads INSIDE a vehicle. Not so much as a pedestrian. The drivers are skilled road users. I think the lack of rules and lack of proper road systems have made the drivers, motorcyclists and rickshaw-walas depend on their skill instead.
Little quirks and habits such as the over-use, or in your case, the almost non-existent use of the honk in Australia, take no time getting used to. It is easy to get into superficial little habits. However, a mindset, or attitude different from ours, such as the those of the Australians, would take a very long time to adapt to. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, but it is not always a matter of easily changing little things like your dressing, or honking habits!
Diana
Hi Edmund,
ReplyDeletethis is an interesting post. Although i am proud to be a Singaporean, I must say that, sometimes, I feel that we are an impatient lot. From food orders to driving, we always have this 'chop chop' mentality. This might be good sometimes, but not for every time, or at least I feel. We should sometimes 'step back and smell the roses'. Come to think about it, even the Government feels that we are an impatient lot-as they came up with the 'be gracious' campaign. Although this is our culture, I feel that we should sometimes be more patient, like Aussies when it comes to food preparation. All I can hope is that our future generations will not be more impatient then us.
Elisha
Hi Edmund!
ReplyDeleteI experienced the other end of the spectrum.
I remember a trip to Saigon where honking is prevalent from early morning till late into the night. When I first stepped out on the vehicle I was in, imagine the headache I had listening to all the honking! Even from the hotel room at night, there was still honking even though it was considered toned down as compared to the day.
A joke my tour guide told was, "You require three good things while driving in Vietnam: good driver, good motor and most importantly, a good horn."
Initially the incessant honking came as a shock, especially the honking noise at night before bedtime is hard to get used to. But subsequently I would fall asleep within seconds after my head hit the pillows. Either I got used to the noise or traveling in Vietnam obviously took a toll on my energy levels, haha.
As visitors, travellers should read up on the place's cultures to avoid culture shock/conflict/misunderstanding and then be flexible and adapt to the place's cultures. I feel that it is the most basic form of respect we can give to the local people.
Hi all!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your valuable feedback on my post, your further illustration has clearly shown the intercultural different acceptance level toward honking of the vehicle though it may be seen as a simple gesture to many of us.
I did a few read-up, interesting point to note is that honking in the new century has evolved to be a "language" on the road which gave rise to the term "honking shock"; referring to the absurb use of honking in many countries such as India and vietnam like you guy mention which is deemed as a shock to many others.
Well, how we use the honk really comes down to our own culture, just have to always bear in mind the ultimate use of the honk which is to serve as warning for danger to others!
Cheerios all!
Hi Edmund, it's not just in driving and our use of the roads that we're uniquely Singaporean; we're also 'Singaporean' in the way we use tissue packets to 'chop' our seats in hawker centres, etc. We tend to demonstrate that 'afraid to lose out' mentality in a lot of areas and this can be quite amusing or annoying to others.
ReplyDelete