Saturday, September 27, 2008
Korea has recently become a popular tourist destination due to the influx of Korean drama in the media. When I knew that my family had decided to go there during my 3 months vacation, I was exuberated! I have always wanted to go there to experience the Korean culture but little did I know I will be experiencing a little cultural shock.
The trip was ok until the tour guide, Vincent brought us to this famous shopping district called Dong Dae Mun. My sister and I happily went into the shopping centre hoping to get a really good bargain. Our happy moods were dampened when we went into the shopping centre. The place was so crowded and we were shocked when Korean ladies started pushing and squeezing to get through without saying “excuse me”. Well, in Singapore, it has almost become a habit to say the special words when met with such situations. To add on to our frustration, when we said “excuse me”, no one responded, so we ended up doing the same. I guess such situations are considered to be normal in Korea because firstly, I think they are used to not saying “excuse me”. Secondly, English Language is not their first or second language thus they might not understand us. Probably, if we said “excuse me” in Korean, they would give way to us politely?
It was only when our tour guide, Vincent talked about the cultures of Korea, did I realise that Korea is actually very different from Singapore. Vincent mentioned one of the culture differences is that gender inequality still exists in Korea. He was shocked when he saw Singaporean men carrying their wives’ bags while they shopped. Apparently, men are considered the “heaven” in Korea. It is a taboo for men to carry ladies’ bags and even for men to walk beside their wives. The man is supposed to walk infront while the woman trails behind. It is hard to believe, but I actually saw such situations. Also, Vincent said that his family is one of the few traditional families in Korea. His whole family has to stand at the door to greet his father when he returns from work. Not only that, when it is dinner time, the men of the family will have their dinner first followed by the women. Oh my god! I am so glad that I do not have to go through that. In addition, some Koreans still retain the tradition of not addressing their friends or colleagues by their names. Instead, they call each other “brother” or “sister”. This is such a huge contrast to Singapore where youngsters can call their older colleagues by their names or greet them with a “Hey!” or “Yo!”.
Another culture of Korea would be Koreans are very patriotic. They would prefer to use products bearing the local brands. Koreans will most likely carry Samsung or LG handphones or drive Hyundai cars. They would try not to use Japanese brands if possible because of their hatred towards them due to World War II. Well, Singapore was under Japanese Occupation for 3 years and 8 months but we are still using Fujitsu laptop, Olympus camera etc. Not that Singaporeans are not loyal to Singapore, it is just that our country is so small, we cannot afford to boycott Japanese products and come to think of it, Singapore does not have many of its own locally made products.
The trip to Korea is really a very memorable and good experience for me. I can not only know and experience myself the cultures of Korea but also appreciate my own culture and not take it for granted. I like Korea but learning from their patriotism, I LOVE SINGAPORE! ( I always felt this way when I came back from overseas, probably because I cannot get used to the other foreign cultures.)
PS: The Korean cultures mentioned above happen only in some families, not all.
PS: The Korean cultures mentioned above happen only in some families, not all.
acknowledgement: picasaweb.google.com/.../-JKPrbw2_bQrDiVn53ed7Q
(edited on 3rd October 2008 10:12am)
Tiramissyou
12:05 AM
12:05 AM
10 comments
10 Comments:
Friday, September 5, 2008
acknowledgement: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oddsock/1695374444/ Description of the issue
The amount of waste generated in Singapore has been increasing rapidly over the years, peaking at 2.55 million tonnes in 2005. Of these, about 54% of our waste is recycled. The remaining 46% are incinerated and land filled. These are not long term solutions as they are both costly and space consuming in the already land-scarce island. One organization in USA helps to solve this problem by buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products for sale. The proceeds are then donated to the charity. By recycling the rubbish, USA managed to save energy, reduce greenhouse-gas emission, as well as reduce air pollution by 74%. However, can this solution solve the "rubbish" problem in Singapore and to what extent? In addition, will the Singaporeans support this organization if it were to be set up in Singapore? How many people will actually bring their rubbish to the organization and sell them for a few cents?
Research Topic :
Is buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products a good way to conserve the environment and to what extent will Singaporeans support this movement?
Hypothesis:
It is predicted that recycling waste materials into useful products can not only reduce the amount of waste significantly but also bring benefits to the mankind. However, most people will not put in the extra effort to dispose their rubbish. This is not a long term solution.
Problem Statement:
The objective of this research study is to determine the extent which buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products can conserve the environment. Another objective is to determine if Singaporeans will cultivate a habit in them to get rid of their garbage by selling them to recycle into useful products.
Purpose Statement:
The objective of this research report is to bring attention to the relevant government agencies: NEA & MEWR [Ministry of Environment and Water Resources] the usefulness of recycling waste and turning them into useful products. The agencies can then implement other measures to recycle waste. Another objective is to inculcate a sense of environmental spirit in Singaporeans through education. Singaporeans should be genuinely concerned for the environment and should be taught to care for the environment without constant reminders to do so.
Reasons for conducting survey:
The amount of waste generated in Singapore has been increasing rapidly over the years, peaking at 2.55 million tonnes in 2005. Of these, about 54% of our waste is recycled. The remaining 46% are incinerated and land filled. These are not long term solutions as they are both costly and space consuming in the already land-scarce island. One organization in USA helps to solve this problem by buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products for sale. The proceeds are then donated to the charity. By recycling the rubbish, USA managed to save energy, reduce greenhouse-gas emission, as well as reduce air pollution by 74%. However, can this solution solve the "rubbish" problem in Singapore and to what extent? In addition, will the Singaporeans support this organization if it were to be set up in Singapore? How many people will actually bring their rubbish to the organization and sell them for a few cents?
Research Topic :
Is buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products a good way to conserve the environment and to what extent will Singaporeans support this movement?
Hypothesis:
It is predicted that recycling waste materials into useful products can not only reduce the amount of waste significantly but also bring benefits to the mankind. However, most people will not put in the extra effort to dispose their rubbish. This is not a long term solution.
Problem Statement:
The objective of this research study is to determine the extent which buying back waste materials and recycling them into useful products can conserve the environment. Another objective is to determine if Singaporeans will cultivate a habit in them to get rid of their garbage by selling them to recycle into useful products.
Purpose Statement:
The objective of this research report is to bring attention to the relevant government agencies: NEA & MEWR [Ministry of Environment and Water Resources] the usefulness of recycling waste and turning them into useful products. The agencies can then implement other measures to recycle waste. Another objective is to inculcate a sense of environmental spirit in Singaporeans through education. Singaporeans should be genuinely concerned for the environment and should be taught to care for the environment without constant reminders to do so.
Reasons for conducting survey:
The target group can be the typical household living in the HDB. They represent the majority of Singaporeans.
1) To understand how serious the problem of waste disposal is in Singapore by finding out how Singaporeans handle and dispose their waste.
2) To determine if an organization as mentioned above can be supported by most Singaporeans and can help Singapore solve the problem.
3) To determine if Singaporeans in general have the environmental spirit.
1) To understand how serious the problem of waste disposal is in Singapore by finding out how Singaporeans handle and dispose their waste.
2) To determine if an organization as mentioned above can be supported by most Singaporeans and can help Singapore solve the problem.
3) To determine if Singaporeans in general have the environmental spirit.
Based on the survey, the relevant authorities can then consider about the possibilities of setting up an organization in the hope of reducing the waste level in Singapore.
acknowledgement: Ministry of Environment and Water Resource.(29th April 2008). Policies, Clean Land. Retrieved on 5th August 2008. From:http://app.mewr.gov.sg/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?ContId=26)
acknowledgement: Ministry of Environment and Water Resource.(29th April 2008). Policies, Clean Land. Retrieved on 5th August 2008. From:http://app.mewr.gov.sg/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?ContId=26)
edited (08/09/2008 8:30am)
Tiramissyou
11:32 PM
11:32 PM
5 comments
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