Culture?
A big word that is of many definitions but the most and easiest working definition can be readily defined as 'Food', 'Fashion' , 'Festival' and 'Folks'.
Through four lessons of CID, i have indeed gained deeper understanding of culture and cultural forces that shape a country. Although culture is a complex concept and that what can be observed from that one week in China is just only a scratch on the surface of what actually defines China's culture, I have learnt to do sufficient research to ensure that I can better comprehend the rest of the ice berg that cannot be seen directly which in this context is China's culture such as heritage, education, economy and culture. This would broaden my perspective towards Singapore and China and allow me to perceive both countries' similar yet different ways of governing and background history, inducing me to recognize the similarities and differences of their culture despite being mostly occupied by Chinese Singaporeans and still having preserved Chinese-related heritage sites. Thus, in my opinion, this would truly deepen my understanding of Singapore's and China's symbolic relationship, the importance of its existence and the beneficiary of it.
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RESEMBLANCE BUT UNLIKENESS
A small step to understand, a big step to realise its importance.
As day slowly but swiftly passes by, days till OELP has also been decreasing one by one, slowly but surely. Therefore, it is only right to start research soon and to start off will be to grasp the common yet non-identical points between Singapore and China's culture.
To be sure that we are respectful whether be it in Singapore or China, there are four big principals that belongs to Chinese's tradition mindset of ru jia, focusing more on humaneness, righteous and proper rite, three out of the five values of Confucianism's philosophy. So, the big questions are "To what extent is Singapore's shared values influenced by Confucianism?" and "What are the big 4 principals and what do them encompass?" These questions are very essential in the process of differentiating the both countries' culture so it is very important that we are sure of it.
Since Singapore and China have quite a rich Chinese history, it is not surprising that both share common traditions, practices and beliefs. Relationships, rank, reciprocity and face are the 4 big principles. I believe that the Chinese in both countries would have been raised by their parents with traditional values and morale instilled slowly into them as they slowly grow from a child to a teenager. So, a similarity between both countries' culture is face. As a Chinese, i feel that many others also are concerned with their appearances, impressions towards others or simply their reputation. From my point of view, i always hope that thing run smoothly to what i assume in my mind so that i will not feel embarrass when something wrong happens somewhere. Same in the context in China, it is only right to appreciate and thank the host for their warm welcome especially when the host if of a really high authority. Another similarity is reciprocity, the feeling of having something back as return after helping someone. It should have happened to us not just once or twice but a few times. For example, when we help someone with something that troubles him/her, we would usually wait for that person to repay us for our kindness patiently, waiting for him/her to receive that signal without any need of reminders. In the context of China, it would be polite of me to repay kindness or helping anyone instinctively whenever they help me in one way or another.
Despite having common points, there are bound to be differences in culture as well. From the point of education wise, in Singapore's culture, a significant phenomenon that occurs is kaisuism, being scared of losing out. Thus, many Singaporeans students will work and study hard to be top or achieve commendable results in tests, sometimes affecting and concerning their parents as well. However, in China's culture, it is not that obverse to the Chinese students studying in China and one reason might be due to having a bigger population base that Singapore. Another two differences are the way of cooking and the type of food consumed. In Singapore, most Chinese families will order food outside to eat at home and are free to take different countries' food, influenced by Singapore's multiracial and multicultural society. However, in China, most Chinese families cook at home and rather consume Chinese food.
These are only some similarities and differences between Singapore and China's culture and so i look forward in the OELP trip to perceive and prove some stereotypes either right or wrong.
Despite having common points, there are bound to be differences in culture as well. From the point of education wise, in Singapore's culture, a significant phenomenon that occurs is kaisuism, being scared of losing out. Thus, many Singaporeans students will work and study hard to be top or achieve commendable results in tests, sometimes affecting and concerning their parents as well. However, in China's culture, it is not that obverse to the Chinese students studying in China and one reason might be due to having a bigger population base that Singapore. Another two differences are the way of cooking and the type of food consumed. In Singapore, most Chinese families will order food outside to eat at home and are free to take different countries' food, influenced by Singapore's multiracial and multicultural society. However, in China, most Chinese families cook at home and rather consume Chinese food.
These are only some similarities and differences between Singapore and China's culture and so i look forward in the OELP trip to perceive and prove some stereotypes either right or wrong.
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