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?
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ReplyDeleteHi Katerina!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you like this country despite receiving stares from the locals here.
I think people stare probably because they are curious as you do not look like you live here. Or maybe because they like your long curly hair, which we don't often see on locals here!
Don't worry it is probably harmless and if you want them to stop try smiling at them! this might put both of you at ease.
some mistakes spotted:
On the other hand, I still feel as a stranger here, whenever I go to the less touristic parts of the city, >> On the other hand I still feels like a stranger here, whenever i go to the less tourisy parts of the city.
-Gwen
Hi Katerina (:
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly one very open to different cultures. It shows in your interest in other languages alone. Great post. I like the structure. Each paragraph was clear on what it was talking about with the exception of the second sentence: " I love travelling not only for sightseeing, which substantiates the history of the culture, but also for getting to know cultures through other people". Could you elaborate on what you mean by substantiating the history of the culture?
Besides that, I truly agree with you on getting to know cultures through people. It is only through interacting with the locals themselves that we are able to understand the culture along with all its different aspects better. When I am in another country, I try to interact as much as possible to the locals. I don't only visit the tourist attractions as I feel that's what the country wants us to see. But we are overlooking the other important aspects of the culture. That is why I, like you, will make an effort to go to the less touristic parts. Just a word of caution, don't go overboard to the point of being intrusive. For example, inviting yourself to dinner with a family. Haha. You get my point.
On a more serious note, I feel that Gwen raised a valid point. Maybe you should smile at them.
Other than that, perhaps you could ignore them. You have to know also that at any one point in time, Singapore is made up of many non-Singaporeans as well. This is especially so in the town areas. For all you know, they may not even be Singaporeans. They may be foreign talents or even tourists themselves. Just something for you to keep in mind about. Especially travelling at very public places with a lot of people. The less touristic parts, such as the heartlands is where the locals live. And unless you belong to certain neighbourhoods, most of the residents are locals. They would, as Gwen has pointed out, be wondering why you are there. Maybe they are just kaypoh(a Singaporean slang term for being overly inquisitive especially when it is none of your business)
Lastly, would love to hear regarding your travel experiences some time. A post perhaps? :D
Hakeem
Hey Katherine!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your post. It was concise and clear and I could see what you were aiming at. I especially appreciate the fact that you like traveling and getting introduced to new cultures and languages. As Hakeem rightly pointed out, your multi-lingualism clearly shows your interest. I was amazed to know you are learning Hindi since it's my mother tongue. One of the advantages of learning Hindi is you can watch Bollywood movies :D.
On a side note, I think your post clearly points out how you have been affected by intercutlutral differences in Singapore. However, I particularly don't try to analyze a particular culture by the way certain people behave. Of all we know, they might just belong to the minority and hence generalizing this for all Singaporeans would be unfair. Being a foreigner myself, I feel quite welcomed and accepted in Singapore. I guess it's just the people you come across that matters.
Perhaps you can evaluate on how this is different in Czech. This will help your readers to understand the intercultural difference better.
Overall, an impressive post.
Thanks,
Aditi
@Gwen I think you meant:
ReplyDelete>> On the other hand I still feel like a stranger here, whenever i go to the less tourisy parts of the city.
Thanks, Katerina, for sharing your expectations in traveling and some impressions of your life in Singapore with us. It's always heartening for me to know that there are students who are willing to leave their comfort and explore other cultures ("a completely different world") for the sake of getting to know the people of the place. You're to be commended for doing exactly that.
ReplyDeleteIn this post I find it interesting that you make this statement: "One of the reasons why I came to study in Singapore was to understand myself in the context of Asia." Your reflection about the way people stare at you seems to indicate that you are doing that, for you are not making an observation of a particular interaction where there is obvious intercultural miscommunication so much as taking note of how you are being overly observed. Like some of your peer readers muse, I wonder too if the staring is related to your having curly hair or just the fact that you don't seem to blend in for a whole host of reasons. Hakeem also mentions that it is quite possible that you are being observed by non-Singaporeans. (Isn't there something like 1 out of every 5 people a foreigner here?)
Whatever the case, like Aditi mentions, it would have been interesting to hear from you about how the situation would be in Czech, say, for a tall Asian female. Would she get the same sort of attention? What does this say, in general, about the notion of perceived difference?
Hi Katerina,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to know that you are open to these cultural differences and want to explore.
When I moved to Singapore it didn't take too long to blend it. Infact I've always felt that people in Singapore are too busy to pay attention to tourists. Now I think that is probably because of the large number of Indians here that I felt this way.
Have you felt similarly in other places too ?
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ReplyDelete