This week we have talked about culture shock and cultural differences. I think we all have many things to talk because for most of us, this is our first time to go abroad. Though there are many Chinese in Singapore, but I also really feel the cultural differences, especially during the Chinese New Year.
This is my first experience to have Chinese New Year in Singapore. Before our holiday, I did make a plan, including many places I want to go. I thought my plan was perfect. But as I just said, there are so many differences things.
The first difference I think is that, Singapore is such a quiet country. I found this the first day I went here. Every car on the road just keeps moving on their way. No matter how many cars on the streets, they seldom use trumpets. This seems strange to me. In China, the streets are very noisy. Maybe this is because there are so many rules about car driving in Singapore that every car driver knows what to do. So trumpets are not often used. And it’s forbidden to play bangers in Singapore, so when I walked along the streets on New Year’s Eve, I found the streets were really quiet.
Another interesting thing is that only Chinese people consider Chinese New Year as a festival. I mean, other people just look it as a long holiday for rest. I was frustrated when I saw there was not crowded at all when I walked on Orchard Road. Then I went to Chinatown to ‘find’ people. Tutors told us that Chinatown will be really crowded on New Year’s Eve. But when I was there, I was frustrated again. There were many people, but not very crowded as I had thought it would. So my friend and I just spent our whole New Year’s Eve, sitting at a place and chatted, trying to feel the atmosphere of Spring Festival. Only one thing made me feel better was that my friend and I chatted a lot and we all know each other better.
We have known that when people go abroad into a new environment, they always have five phases. I think I am just between the third one and the forth one. I still have some daily problems and not do very well in English. But I think everything will be better.
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Chinatown was not crowded?!
ReplyDeleteoh!!All my intestines turn green!!!
Many people expressed fear when I talked about my plan to Chinatown on the eve. They recommend strongly that "Do not go there on that day! otherwise you will regret.No doubt!"
So I gave up the idea.5555....
PS.I think "horn" is better than "trumpet".^^
Actually I think the loud noise of the engines especially those of motorbikes is deafening and horrifying!
ReplyDeleteYou didn't spend your new year eve with your seniors?I watched on TV that there was a concert that night in Chinatown and JJ went there.Didn't you see it?The stage was just in the street which I had seen in the daytime that day.
Please use a bigger size of latters to make the blog clearer to read.And,you mentioned that there are phrases in culture shock.I think it would be better if you put them down as your blog is a little bit short~~
ReplyDeleteI can not deny that the Chinese New Year is not bustling with noise and excitement. But I think we are in a multi-cultural country. This phenomena is very common. We should consider more about sth positive and cheer up.
ReplyDelete