People from different cultures background will have different opinions and habits on certain stuffs. One of the intercultural interactions, which I faced with people from different cultural background, was the visit of my auntie’s friends from Europe. They were here in Singapore for a holiday. Playing the host here, my auntie had to bring them around Singapore. I was invited to join them for a meal at a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. They were trying to order some Chinese dishes but they could not understand the Chinese characters or the English translate terms.
My auntie had a hard time explaining to them and introducing a few famous Chinese dishes that they should not miss it out. After quite a long while, they finally decided the dishes and we waited patiently for the order. In the meanwhile, they were drinking the Chinese tea which was served to them. However, they could not accept the bitter taste of the tea, and finally gave up and changed to soft drinks instead. At last, the dishes are served. Seeing my aunt’s European friends struggling with the chopstick, I took my initiative to teach them the correct hand posture to hold a chopstick. Since they never used a chopstick before, they find it hard and finally gave up and changed to metal forks and spoons. While trying the Chinese dishes, our European friends find it hard to accept the taste. After a few mouthfuls of trying, they gave up.
Growing up in different cultures that are very different from the Chinese, for examples, Westerner does not drink tea, use chopstick or plastic spoon, nor do not they eat rice as their main course. With different culture background, they feel difficult to accept the Chinese culture here. However, it is a good experience not only for them but also for me.
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4 comments:
Hi Puipui,
It seems to me that you have done your part in integrating them into the local culture by teaching them how to use chopsticks. It is a pity that they had given up just after a few attempts.
From the way they gave up trying after a few attempts at the food and holding the chopsticks, I get the impression that your auntie's European friends were rather unreceptive to a foreign culture and reluctant to let go of their own practices and habits. They could have experienced a more insightful trip had they opened up their hearts to embrace a new culture. As what the first Prime Minister of India, Mr Jawaharal Nehru said, "There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open."
Do you agree?
Cheers,
Xueli
Hi Xueli,
I do agree with you. When we go oversea for holiday, one of the things we wanted to do most, is to explore the country's culture and customs. We should open our heart and eyes, in order to experience other cultures that are different from our upbringing.
Hi Puipui!
Your auntie's foreign friends' experience in a Chinese restaurant is indeed an intercultural experience for them as well as for you and your auntie. I think it is good to have the chance of experiencing such intercultural interaction.
It is indeed not surprising to see foreigner struggling with chopsticks. In fact there are even some locals who can't hold chopsticks correctly. Although it is not really nice or polite that they expressed their unreceptive approach at that time, I can understand their frustrations. Perhaps we just have to be empathetic about this. At least they did make an attempt to try. It is not easy for one to accept a new culture immediately, but maybe your auntie’s friends might like our food and even culture after some time of experiences.
Elaine
Hey Pei Pei
For starters, your aunt's friends have certainly missed out on the Chinese delicacies! Among many of the world's dishes, the Chinese is amongst one of the world's finest! Also, it is sad to know that your aunt's friends do not fancy the chopsticks. In my opinion, the chopsticks are the best eating utensils you could possibly have, except when it comes to drinking soup. I personally know of a few foreigners who excel in the use of chopsticks.
In general, it is perhaps true that Westerners do not fancy the Chinese dishes much. Usually they find our dishes oily and fattening (pork knuckles comes to mind). However, just like Xueli suggested, they should certainly try to adapt to our culinary tastes since they are after all on an overseas trip. It would be a waste if they came all the way to Singapore just to eat the dishes which they could have eaten back in their native country. Furthermore, Singapore is well-known to have a diverse variety of food to savor!
As traveling becomes more affordable, I believe one should certainly learn more about other countries' cultures so as to fully appreciate them. Especially when it comes to food, one should definitely give it a try even though it may not be up to one's liking. It would be a waste to not try other countries' delicacies while one is there!
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