I have a cousin who worked in Hong Kong. There, she experienced many culture and custom differences and often shares her interesting stories with us during family gatherings.
I would like to share a few of them with you.
1: Queuing up at the ATM
Singaporeans: Typically, Singaporeans would leave a reasonable gap in between each person and leave more space for the person using the ATM.
Hongkongers: They tend to stand close behind you and there should be no gaps.
-My cousin was being scolded by an uncle for not closing up the gap. Also she felt that there was no privacy when she's using the ATM.
I think you have to trust that they will not peep over and see what you are doing when using the ATM.
2: BBQ
Singaporeans: For barbecue sessions, we would usually place a wire net over the fire. Food also be placed on the wire net during cooking.
Hongkongers: They do not use wire net, they think that it is dirty to place food on the wire net.
-Her Hong Kong colleagues did not take the food that was prepared by her even though she had specially cooked for them as a way to express thanks before leaving for Singapore during a barbecue outing. She felt that they could not appreciate her gestures.
I think that this is not as difficult as point 1. You will just need to remember that they do not barbecue their food over the wire net as they think it is dirty.
3:'Ta Bao"
Singaporeans: "Ta bao" means take away. This is usually used when we want to buy take aways.
Hongkongers: To them it means death and then would refrain from saying.
-As my cousin learnt this before leaving Singapore she did not have any problems with this.:)
Hi Zhiyan
ReplyDeleteI like the way you share the different cultural habits from the two countries. Singapore and Hong Kong have quite similar economic development profiles and because of that, I would pay little attention to their culture thinking that it might have similar cultural backgrounds as well. I guess I could be wrong after seeing your blog.
Point number three "Ta Bao" is the common phrase for takeaways in Singapore and most of us say it without thinking the deeper meaning to it. Actually ta bao is not the correct Chinese term to use but because Singaporeans like to use words that can be easily understood and so it has been used out of convenience. Consequently, it has integrated into our culture, if not spread to other cultures too. I have even said it to the auntie selling Ayam Preyet at Science canteen too and she understood too. Sometimes, it's quite amazing to see how new phrases are added to our local dictionary. I guess that's the beauty of accommodating of the language used and interacting with different people.
PS: Hope we can get into the Guinness World Record for the country with the longest list of newly invented words.
Thanks. Good night.
Wow! I didn't know the other meaning behind 'da pao', even though I have been to Hong Kong many times already. It was a very educational post focusing on some of the commonly misunderstood customs between Singapore and Hong Kong (I thought that most of the customs were similar) Will take note of the differences in customs the next time I go.
ReplyDeleteOh! I would like to say it's a wonderful sharing. I never went to Hong Kong personally so everything you mention in your blog is new to me.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add on that it's very important for us to understand the cultures in different countries.Taking Hong Kong for instance, I believe that some of us who's not from Hong Kong will actually feel uncomfortable when someone's standing too close to us at the ATM machine. So in my opinion, it is important for us to understand that it's part of the social norm. If only when you really feel uncomfortable, you can let the person know in a polite manner. I believe that will actually help to established a cross cultural understanding.
I thought so too. Singapore and Hong Kong are similar in some ways but not the other, so we have to keep a look out on what is same and different. The differences may be obvious or subtle but they still can make one another feel uncomfortable or offended. So try not to assume that their culture is the same as you because we are Chinese.
ReplyDeleteHey Zhiyan!
ReplyDeleteReally interesting post, having been to Hong Kong myself, I was on an exchange during secondary school days and was treated so well I never really noticed the more subtle culture differences. I would really like to find out why people from Hong Kong like to stand so near each other during a queue though. Perhaps they think it's rude to waste space while queuing.
I think perhaps your cousin could have asked for the reasons behind these actions in order to better understand them. I cannot in my wildest imagination think of why they would think putting the food on wire is dirty, although I would respect the way they do things. And is "Da Bao" some kind of cantonese saying for death? I can only guess since I never learnt the language.
I would just like to add that interestingly, people from Hong Kong cannot take spicy food! That was the only thing I remembered well, as they had problems eating the famous "Roti Prata" in Singapore when they came over. =) Just something to take note if there is any food preparation for Hong Kong guests.