Globalization has led to an increasingly borderless world. As such, the need to be sensitive to the difference in cultures between people of different nationalities is greater than ever before. Insensitivity to such cultural differences can lead to interpersonal conflicts (on a personal level) and loss of businesses (on a business level).
However, I feel that before we concern ourselves with the need to be sensitive to the cultural differences of people from other countries, it is more important that, as Singaporeans, we are sensitive to the differences in cultures of the different race and religion in Singapore.
I came across this situation during the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival last year. During this festival, it is common for some religion groups to burn incense and joss paper as offerings to the spirits that are thought to be released to “our world”. I was walking pass a lady who was burning incense and joss paper when a well-dressed woman, who was with her son, approached in the opposite direction. As they neared the area where the incense was being burned, the woman suddenly reached down to her son and covered his nose with her hand. In a rather unpleasant tone, she said: “Why do they have to burn such ridiculous things!”
Luckily, the lady burning the incense did not see or hear the woman, thus, a potential conflict did not occur.
In Singapore, the key to maintaining harmony among a multi-racial and multi-religion society is to be sensitive to the cultural differences of the different race and religions. Therefore, this need is taught to us early in our educational years. As such, we are generally quite sensitive to the practices of members of a different race or religion. However, I feel that the increase in affluence may have caused some of this “sensitivity” to be eroded. As such, I feel that we should start to be more concerned about our attitudes to the differences in cultures of the different race and religion in Singapore.
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I quite agree that sensitivity and not knowledge is the key to maintaining harmony.
ReplyDeleteKnowledge may be important, but without sensitivity, conflicts are still bound to arise. Adding to the earlier example, if the well-dressed woman had known the reasons for the burning, she may still have expressed her disgust if she were not sensitive enough.
On the other hand, someone who is sensitive but not knowledgeable may is more likely to avoid a conflict. If the well-dressed woman were sensitive, she should have given the benefit of the doubt and respected what the other woman was doing, instead of dismissing it as unimportant.
Lastly, I believe that there are times in which we may feel strongly about something, just like how the well-dressed lady felt. Restraint here is imperative as not everything that we think and feel must be expressed into words. It is only with sensitivity, restraint and knowledge ( to a certain extent) that we can maintain harmony in our society.
Hi Hong Quan
ReplyDeleteI agree that the increasing affluence of Singaporeans has led to some erosion of cultural sensitivity in the society in general. The well-dressed lady displayed a lack of religious sensitivity and an attitude that seems to dismiss others' religious beliefs as "ridiculous". I believe this example is just one of the many which happen from day to day. It is sad to hear that even some well-educated members of our society harbour such intolerant attitudes.
Although students in Singapore are taught the importance of cultural sensitivity from an early age, its effectiveness in instilling cultural sensitivity is limited by how students see it being put into practice. Seeing his mum's attitudes towards other religions, the son is likely to grow up harbouring the same attitudes too.
Hi HQ,
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of how i used to think if we Singaporeans are actually living in harmony with real understanding or we're just trying to live in it. There were several times i get pretty annoyed by Malay Weddings held under a HDB flat. As much as it is a joyous occasion, i always wondered why the need to blast off music for the whole day and cause a commotion to the whole neighbourhood. Maybe i was being a little too insensitive to their traditional practice.
We are taught from primary school to live together and the importance of racial harmony. But does it stay as a value when we've all grown up?
Melissa
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ReplyDeleteHi Hong Quan,
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with Jonathan that “it is only with sensitivity, restraint and knowledge (to a certain extent) that we can maintain harmony in our society”.
In the given example, although that well dressed lady might have very strong opinions on the burning of incense and joss paper, I guess that she should be sensitive enough to keep the comment to herself. By saying it out, besides a possibility of offending the lady doing the offerings, a wrong message might be pass on her son unknowingly, leading him to grow up to be insensitive person.
To answer Melissa’s question, I guess that it may become a non-practiced value when we grow older. Deep in our hearts, we know what is ought to be done and said and what not to. But in our daily lives, we tend to “forget” to put those values into practice.
Chau Ting
Tolerance of others religions, political beliefs and habits is a priority if we are to live harmoniously together. Singapore has always been a shining example of how diverse people can happily coexist so I hope future generations do not forget or cast aside the values of their country's founding fathers.
ReplyDeleteMrs Richardson
Hi Hongquan,
ReplyDeleteI think it is important that we are not taking our religious and racial harmony for granted. We celebrate racial harmony day from primary school to junior college but sad to say if we do not appreciate the meaning of it, it would just be another holiday.