I did not know the phrase culture shock until one day my roommate came back from school saying it again and again. I was very amazed and asked him the meaning out of curiosity. He said he just experienced culture shock and told us in detail. The story happened like this. Days ago, my roommate went by while his friend was offering a lunch in a restaurant by his tutor. He was so happy that he went to have his meal together with them and finally the tutor paid the bill. They talked together and said goodbye to each other. It seemed like a happy ending. However, to his surprise, the tutor scolded him when they met again. It turned out that he thought my roommate ate a free lunch on purpose. One day latter, my roommate went to the tutor’s office to apologize. He explained that cultural differences lead to this misunderstanding for it was very common to do so in such a situation in China. However, to his greater surprise, instead of showing understanding, the tutor scolded him again and warned him not to do like this any more.
I doubt whether the tutor’s attitude upon this is right. From my perspective, cultural differences are unavoidable simply because we grow up in different environment. Tolerance is the thing that is really needed. Whatever, cultural difference says understanding instead of discrimination.
this story shocked me as well. how come the tutor scold your roomate twice. it's so weird. i guess that's why we say it's culture shock. Besides i quite agree with you that we need to be tolerant.
ReplyDeleteActually the world is not that wonderful as we thought. We are in a foreign country, we will meet some culture shock more or less. And I cannot find another way to deal with it but be tolerant.
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ReplyDeleteEh...The grammar was wrong, so I rewrite. It is amazing! Why can not the tutor understand cultural difference. He should not be like that, because he is the person who are suppose to teach students to respect to different custom. But did your room mate pay back the money? If not, it is rude also.
ReplyDeleteI was confused by the story, but I believe the tutor did not mean to hurt your friend. China is a single race country, maybe that's why we feel more about diversity.
ReplyDeleteI do not thing that this is a cultural thing. I think this has to do with basic courtesy or manners. Do not assume that you can just join in a group unless you are invited to do so. I always believe in asking if you are in doubt. People are more forgiving if you take the time to find out about the way things are done in Singapore instead of blaming it on cultural differences or miscommunication.
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