Culture refers to the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group. Indeed, culture impacts a person in several areas, from how we express our emotions to what is good or bad. This makes intercultural interaction interesting yet, tricky at the same time because an action which is acceptable in one culture may be unacceptable in another.
I was caught in an intercultural situation when I visited Japan. My family and I were travelling on the Japanese subway to the airport. We carried 2 huge suitcases which we placed on the ground and we stood around it during the subway ride. It was a weekday morning where the train was packed with commuters and our huge suitcases took up some standing space. Throughout the train ride, we felt the Japanese commuters staring at us in disapprovingly. Our family felt strange as we were completely unaware of what we have done to invite such stares as tourists placing their luggage on the ground is completely acceptable on the Singapore MRT.
After some research on the internet, I found out that the Japanese found people who took up too much space on the train inconsiderate (and yes, even women with strollers). Solution? Some travellers advised that the best way around this is to say "I'm sorry" (go-men-nasai), "Excuse me" (sumi-ma-sen) and smile. :)
An interesting link I’ll like to shared:
Ten Things not to do on the Japanese subway
Hey Pei Zi,
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how uneasy it must have been to be in the centre of attraction for the wrong reasons. I can tell that these Japanese people really value their space.
I can only imagine that in Singapore, someone who happens to carry huge suitcases in the trains would even be offered a seat most of the time.
Did you happen to find any recycling machine near their train stations?hehe!
Hey Peizi,
ReplyDeleteYour example really points out how much of a difference there is in culture between us and the Japanese. They value courtesy and consideration much more than us, hence they might feel that your luggage was preventing many other people from boarding. As it can be really hard to board a train in Japan, maybe they see it as one person's wants should not be placed before the greater good)
Haha that's a totally different culture from what we have here. I'll need to be more mindful if I ever go Japan!
Amanda
Hi Pei Zi,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to note that there are many dos and don'ts on Japanese subways. Perhaps the Japanese would use a car or taxi instead of using the subway if they are carrying luggages.
I have to agree with Amanda that its probably due to the Japanese culture where courtesy places a very huge role in how people behave and interact in public. On the other hand in Singapore, there is lesser emphasis of such values in our society. That might explain the different degree of tolerance for having commuters with luggage on the train during a busy weekday morning.
Jeremy
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response to my post. Indeed, I agree with Amanda and Ikhsan that the situation stems from the difference in values between us and the Japanese. Like what Amanda has highlighted, I believe the Japanese value courtesy and consideration much more than us. I will have to be extra careful and do more research before I go on a trip in another country again! :)
Regards,
Pei Zi