Intercultural Situation – A hotpot of Smiles
The news is that our Professor’s mother, Mrs Rita has flown in from the Philippines and graciously invited his students for a “taste” of his hometown. We gratefully accepted and 3 of us volunteered to help out in the kitchen. There were Nguyen (Vietnamese), Mieko (Japanese) and me (Singaporean).
The day came and I made my way to Prof Remus’ place. I was 5mins ahead of schedule and discovered that I was the last one to arrive. In fact, both Mieko and Nguyen arrived much earlier than I did and were already helping in the kitchen. Mrs Rita greeted me warmly and offered a hug. I shook her hand and asked for instructions. Mrs Rita laughed and waved her hand saying: “We are having chicken stew and greens tonight. Just see what’s need to be done…”
I was stumped. Whatever did she meant? Mieko bowed and beckoned me to help her with the peelings of potatoes and carrots. I smiled when I passed by Nguyen who returned it with a nod of her head. Returning the bow to Mieko, I reached for my first carrot…
After 10mins, Mrs Rita came and checked on us and declared that we can start the cooking. The rice was already in the cooker and we started with the side-dishes. I was such a klutz at handling the cookery ware that I was banned from the stove. Mrs Rita explained what was to be done and set us to cook the dish. When we were cooking the chicken stew, she commented that the potatoes and carrots are cut too small. She said that dice is different from cube and that we did it wrongly.
Mieko apologised immediately and added that the next time she will be careful; Nguyen apologised too and added that she will take better note of instructions in the future. I was hesitant in apologising but nevertheless went ahead and added that I never received clear instructions. Mrs Rita smacked me on the shoulder and said that we should know since to stew would mean to cook for a long amount of time and the pieces cannot be too small. Nguyen burst out laughing while Mieko looked on with amusement. Dinner was finally done, and we all had a wonderful meal.
During the meal, Mrs Rita and Prof Remus shared many stories and we chatted amiably. However, Mieko and Nguyen kept more to themselves and Mrs Rita had to prompt them to help themselves to the food more. After the meal, Nguyen collected the cutleries and proceeds to wash them only to be stopped by Mrs Rita who insisted that we’ve done too much and should leave the rest to her.
Thinking back there were many instances where the difference in culture could be seen. While it is customary to arrive on time, many Singaporeans aimed to be just on time. However, for the Japanese and Vietnamese, to arrive early would mean respect and courtesy to the host.
Also, while Mrs Rita did not appear to give me instructions, she was nudging me with her expression and eyebrows. I got to know that many Pilipino uses their eyebrows and expressions to convey more than with words to which I did not noticed.
Then also, the different ways of greeting people are different and notable. Mrs Rita tried to hug me which I felt was uncomfortable. Mieko greeted me with a bow. Nguyen was concentrating on her task and just smiled. After asking them that I know Mrs Rita felt that we are like little “children” and show great warmth; Mieko said that for the Japanese, they would stop what they are doing and greet whoever that comes into the room; Nguyen said that it is not customary to stop whatever they are doing unless it is someone of greater “importance” which I am not.
Then again, I was enlightened to what goes on during a meal: Nguyen said that Vietnamese interact more during the cooking but meal times are for eating. Mieko said that in a typical Japanese family meal, the “youngsters” do not talk freely and should reply only when talked to directly especially when an elder/teacher (Prof Remus) is around.
What amaze me most is the thought that goes behind what should be done after the meal: Nguyen said that it is most pleasing to be invited for a meal because that would mean that the invitee is someone close. She added that Vietnamese always tries to be of service to the host and will often offer to clear the table and wash the cutleries. Mieko said that in Japan the host will do whatever he can to offer a good time for the guest and that after the meal, unless the guest was intruding (not formally invited), the clearing of the dishes and washing will go to the host. She added that it is thought of as a rude gesture to help unless asked as it will be signalling to the host that the hospitality is poor.
As a Singaporean, I would never have given much thought. Singaporean don’t think that much I guess.
BIO Data – Tan Wei Hong
Name:
Tan Wei Hong
Date of Birth: 11 October 1987
Place of Birth: Singapore
Address: Blk 3 #07-03-A Prince George’s Park Residence Singapore 118425
Contact Details: 96755563 (Mobile Phone) tanweihong@nus.edu.sg (Email)
Description:
Tan Wei Hong is a brilliant student currently pursuing a Bachelor Degree in The National University of Singapore. Being multi-talented and having a wide range of interest, choosing a suitable course of study was difficult. Ultimately, he chose his first-love: Chemistry.
His love for the sciences began as a child, curious and inquisitive; He questions about anything and everything that was to be puzzling to him. The joy of finding an explanation or being able to predict a phenomenon set him in sheer excitement and amazement about the many wonders of the natural world. Even today, he can never get enough of learning and acquiring new knowledge and discoveries.
His passion also includes the arts. He holds great admiration for the creators of great pieces of art, portrayed as drawings, paintings and also in musical forms. From young, he will hide in the many parks near his home, to observe the sceneries and to put it on paper with a pencil. He will close his eyes, take in the rhythm and pitches around him to compose a melody.
His acute sense of questioning and also the ability to appreciate the abstract, distinguish him as a remarkable learner and composer. After his O’levels, he was invited to study Music at a reputable College in the United States to which he declined, not being able to bear the long separation from his beloved family.
An avid reader, he consumes storybooks, novels and other publications which have helped shape his critical perception of the world around him. He challenges the convention, the tradition and why they should be.
He grieves for the sufferings of the less-privileged and also the plight of “Mother” Earth. This empathy led him to start many projects and initiatives. At 15, He led a group of fellow musicians to play and cheer for the patients at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Adventist Home for the Elderly every month.
He became active in environmental protection and conservation in Junior College where he initiated a massive recycling and public education project in the Northwest Community Development Council District. He also pushed for greater awareness and volunteerism as the Director of Community Involvement in the Environmental Club as a CCA. Since then, he has dedicated hundreds of hours to serve the community hoping to change for the better, the lives of those around him.
His current goal is to enrol in The Duke-NUS postgraduate medicine programme and to spend his life dedicated to improve the lives of others living in Cambodia.
Application Letter
Tan Wei Hong Blk 03-07-A Prince George’s Park Residence Singapore 118425 Mobile number: 96755563 Email: tanweihong@nus.edu.sg05 September 2009
Simon Ho Chen kee Foot Print Hostel Pte Ltd Perak Court 25A Perak Road Singapore 208136 Footprintshostel@gmail.com
Dear Mr Simon Ho,
I will be graduating this August from National University of Singapore (NUS) with an Honours Degree in Science (Chemistry) and am interested in the opportunities at Foot Print Hostel as a Guest Relation Officer.
During my undergrad studies, I have work for a number of NUS Departments as a service crew. Notably, I was the team leader of the Student Ambassadors at the NUS Alumni Club House and was in-charge of deployment of manpower, overseeing maintenance work and also other Administrative duties. As Team Leader, I often have to resolve conflicts with a dissatisfied patron and also handle demanding and unreasonable guest. Thus, I am sensitive to customers’ request and also able to identify areas of improvements before they become a source of inconvenience to the guests.
I was also a Resident Assistant at Prince George’s Park Residence which house over 2800 residents. As a Resident Assistant, I was involved in many projects and events which was fully planned and executed by us. I was the Programme Director for the Welcome Festival in 2009 which lasted a month. It comprises of activities, workshops, various services and a carnival for the freshmen. As programme director, I have to work independently on times and also with the committee to make sure all activities run smoothly. This made me a versatile team player and also able to make good judgement.
The student community in the Residence is made up of students from many countries and of diverse backgrounds. Being friendly and approachable, many residents confided in me and I was able to build lasting friendship with them. Interacting closely with these residents I’ve learnt to be culturally sensitive and also become aware of many of their traditions and customs. Wanting to be able to understand and be of service better, I have taken many language modules or Cultural studies modules offered in NUS. I am able to converse in Vietnamese, Bahasah Indonesia and Japanese apart from my Native Tongue. Please refer to my resume for further details.
I love meeting new people, understanding and getting to know them and at the same time sharing with them the joy of living in Singapore. The position as a Guest Relation Officer will be a great opportunity to carry on doing what I love and holds passion for. Please consider my application.
Thank You.
Yours Sincerely,
Tan Wei Hong
http://sg.jobstreet.com/jobs/2009/8/default/20/2131689.htm?fr=J
Communication – A video
Hi Guys and gals,
Once again, this is not one of the blog post assignments, but nevertheless please take a look. A wonderful and hilarious video of why tools for one form of communication can be dangerous for another form or just as effective. Note: the Aboriginal People of Australia uses a bullroarer (an instrument that produce sound when you swing it) to communicate over long distances because of the low frequency of the sound produce which lose less energy and is also clear. Of course, If you try it for short distance communication, it wouldn’t work!
Note also: it is intended as an advertisement. Using a common understanding of how communication works in a society to communicate to them about communicative devices is… such a good marketing strategy don’t you think?
I cannot find the credits yet, will site them when i do.
ES2007S 