I have always
considered myself as a person very open to different cultures. I love
travelling not only for sightseeing, which substantiates the history of the culture,
but also for getting to know cultures through other people. I do not like the
frowning faces of Czech people, constant complaining about things and also the lack
of openness to anything that is new or different. I had the opportunity to
visit many beautiful countries, which helped me imagine how moving to one of these
countries would feel like. One of the reasons why I came to study in Singapore
was to understand myself in the context of Asia.
It has been
interesting, the mix of cultures, the food and a city so vibrant and pulsating
with life that it feels like I am in a completely different world. Even though
I would like to say the city has no faults and would be my ideal home, there
are a few problems which did surface just after a few weeks of staying in Singapore.
Singaporians are very nice people, as far as I can see. During
my stay here, people have been unbelievebly helpful and I believe that whatever
happens here, this big mixed-culture organ of city will sort it by itself. On
the other hand, I still feel as a stranger here, whenever I go to the less touristic
parts of the city, I feel observed and slightly uncomfortable. The constant
reminder that I am a foreginer is generally just waiting outside in the form of
stares from the general public. This is the phenomenon in question which I
would like to evaluate.
Initially I perceived this as a rude gesture.
Then after a bit of contemplation I came to the conclusion that it was simply
because I was new and I would have done bit of staring too (admittedly not as
blatantly) if there was a foreginer back home. However as time has passed and
its been 2 months since I arrived the staring has not reduced. Now personally I
dont know what to conclude from that, whether it is my inability to blend in or
are the locals not too keen on foreigners? Or is it simply the curiosity of the
locals?
