Having been to Western Oz for about two weeks recently, and having been back in Sg for almost the same amount of time, I noticed some (sometimes stark) differences in the personalities and behaviour of the two locations.
We Singaporeans are really good at ignoring the existence of the people around us. In lifts, we tend to try our best to avoid any eye contact with anyone else. I found myself doing that when in Oz, and realised that I was being very rude, and learned to make eye contact, even with random strangers on the streets or shopping malls, not just when in tight quarters such as lifts. No, I was not some crazy broad going around making sure I made eye contact with *everyone*. I simply did not make it a point to *avoid* eye contact. And then now that I'm back in Sg, on the off chance that I do make eye contact, I get either i) aggressive stares or ii) confused looks in return. I do find myself returning to old habits, especially on campus, when I pretend not to see or hear the general student population when walking to or from class, just so I do not have to call them out on misbehaviour.
The worst result (?? may not be the best word, but my brain is not functioning at its best at the moment) of this, I feel, is that most Singaporeans, being so adept at ignoring the existence of others, become truly blind to the fact that there are, indeed people around them. They then live in a world of their own, unconscious that their actions can cause inconvenience or even hurt others. For example, the masses at East Coast Park on Saturdays. If they want to stop their bicycles suddenly for whatever reason, they will, without considering that there might be cyclists or bladers behind them who cannot read their minds and would appreciate some prior warning. Or the pedestrians who cross the cycle path, without any regard for the cyclists and bladers there who may not be able to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision.
Another difference I had noted is basic civilities and pleasantries. In Perth, and I'm sure in other parts of Aust too, the cashiers will greet you by asking how you are / how your day was, and thank you and generally wish you a pleasant/nice day when you leave. I particularly remember one particular cashier, who had a really grumpy face (not due to me. It's either her default face, or she was having a bad day.) As I was picking up my purchases and about to leave, she said 'Have a nice day.' As I was still in my Singaporean-avoid-eye-contact mode, I was not looking at her when I did so, but thought that that was a nice thing to hear, regardless of whether she meant it or not. However, I noted (corroborated by Mum), that when we respond, either by asking them how their day was, or wishing them a good one, or better still, initiate it, they appreciate it. And it is possible to make small talk with them.
In Sg, the cashiers tend to be really task oriented. The better trained ones will greet customers a good morning/afternoon/evening and say 'Thank you'. Generally though, hardly any words are exchanged. They ring up my purchases, and I pay for them. If I pay by Nets, they may say "Please enter your PIN", or they may just turn the machine towards me and gesture to it without a word. When I attempt to make small talk, some will respond in kind (usually the aunties), but generally I get blank looks. Wish them a nice day and most of them are stunned and do not know how to respond.
We Singaporeans are really good at ignoring the existence of the people around us. In lifts, we tend to try our best to avoid any eye contact with anyone else. I found myself doing that when in Oz, and realised that I was being very rude, and learned to make eye contact, even with random strangers on the streets or shopping malls, not just when in tight quarters such as lifts. No, I was not some crazy broad going around making sure I made eye contact with *everyone*. I simply did not make it a point to *avoid* eye contact. And then now that I'm back in Sg, on the off chance that I do make eye contact, I get either i) aggressive stares or ii) confused looks in return. I do find myself returning to old habits, especially on campus, when I pretend not to see or hear the general student population when walking to or from class, just so I do not have to call them out on misbehaviour.
The worst result (?? may not be the best word, but my brain is not functioning at its best at the moment) of this, I feel, is that most Singaporeans, being so adept at ignoring the existence of others, become truly blind to the fact that there are, indeed people around them. They then live in a world of their own, unconscious that their actions can cause inconvenience or even hurt others. For example, the masses at East Coast Park on Saturdays. If they want to stop their bicycles suddenly for whatever reason, they will, without considering that there might be cyclists or bladers behind them who cannot read their minds and would appreciate some prior warning. Or the pedestrians who cross the cycle path, without any regard for the cyclists and bladers there who may not be able to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision.
Another difference I had noted is basic civilities and pleasantries. In Perth, and I'm sure in other parts of Aust too, the cashiers will greet you by asking how you are / how your day was, and thank you and generally wish you a pleasant/nice day when you leave. I particularly remember one particular cashier, who had a really grumpy face (not due to me. It's either her default face, or she was having a bad day.) As I was picking up my purchases and about to leave, she said 'Have a nice day.' As I was still in my Singaporean-avoid-eye-contact mode, I was not looking at her when I did so, but thought that that was a nice thing to hear, regardless of whether she meant it or not. However, I noted (corroborated by Mum), that when we respond, either by asking them how their day was, or wishing them a good one, or better still, initiate it, they appreciate it. And it is possible to make small talk with them.
In Sg, the cashiers tend to be really task oriented. The better trained ones will greet customers a good morning/afternoon/evening and say 'Thank you'. Generally though, hardly any words are exchanged. They ring up my purchases, and I pay for them. If I pay by Nets, they may say "Please enter your PIN", or they may just turn the machine towards me and gesture to it without a word. When I attempt to make small talk, some will respond in kind (usually the aunties), but generally I get blank looks. Wish them a nice day and most of them are stunned and do not know how to respond.
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