Singapore is such a multi culture country, where difference people with different culture background assembled, the variety cultures bringing more funny into our daily life but unfortunately sometimes causing conflict too.
During my third year at NTU, I stayed in HALL2. My neighbour, A, was a exchange student from Brazil, his a very funny guy, we became friend soon later. But one thing made us no longer talk to each other.
It was 10 clock at night, I decided to go to sleep earlier for tomorrow’s exam, but the loud music outside made me crazy, I knew, it was party from A again, I eventually failed to ignore the sound and shout outside:”Excuse me! you guys do have exams soon, don't you?! why not go back and take a rest?!” To my surprise, one people in the party reply to me confidently:”Hey, we are resting now!”, talk became quarrel soon. And the quarrel ended up with lose-lose situation. They stop their party disappointedly and I became too angry to sleep well all over the night.
Few months later, I read a website, which stated that people from Brazil often party at night, especially after 10 pm. I suddenly realised at that night, I should have said something that take their culture background into more consideration. This accident actually, from then on, reminds me about the importance of choosing the correct way of dealing with people from different cultures. I should first understand other people’s culture, and identify the potential conflict, then try to avoid conflict and if necessary, solve the conflict with the culture difference in mind.
Tony, this is a pretty good reflection. I agree with you that we should take their background into consideration, however, there is always a bottom line. Since they are in Singapore, they should also consider for others and the school is a public place, not their home as they can do whatever they like to do, such as having party after 10 pm.
回复删除A few mistakes in you essay:
Line 1: "where difference people...." >> "where different people".
Third paragraph second last line: "They stop their party" >> "They stopped their party"
Last paragraph second line: "people from Brazil often party at night">>"people from Brazil often have party at night".
Overall, I enjoy reading your blog post.
Very interesting post that exposes how different people unwind before an important thing like an exam. Where you felt the best way was to sleep early, the Brazilians felt the best way was to have a party. Actually the fact that they had a party would not have bothered you if not for the fact that the noise they made while partying was encroaching upon your right to sleep early. There's an important takeaway here- there's absolutely nothing wrong with practising your own culture for so long as you are sure that that practice is not encroaching on someone else's right to do something else. But this is difficult when you're living in close proximity with one another like in a dormitory, university hall, HDB apartment block or just anywhere in a small country like Singapore! The way to avoid conflict is to be aware that there are others who share the same space, to understand, exercise patience and come to a happy compromise- where possible.
回复删除Hello Tony
回复删除The above described situation happens unintentionally because we unaware of the norms of other cultures. We may get offended if we do not understand the purpose of their habits/doings. This may be a way how Brazilians de-stress themselves. Maybe it be handled better if you let them know how you felt, and if they could turn their volume down. "It takes two hands to clap", the Brazilians were unaware of your feelings at the point of time and the culture you come from. Thus, he might turn out to be inconsiderate and that is how the quarrel started. Nonetheless, we should take note of this minor differences we all have, know their cultures and be considerate.
Ending this note, it will be good if you speak to him, apologise and be friends again. Wishing you success.
Nigel