iNacho

Thursday, October 06, 2005

I was thinking...

Global adapted

The other night I was thinking (because, for the record, I DO think at times) WHEN does one consider oneself ADAPTED to the foreign culture?

I know we have heard and sat through AIESEC sessions, cultural sensitivity classes, company briefings, bla bla bla… but HONESTLY, out of the theory, WHEN does one feel TRULY ADAPTED to the culture?. What are the symptoms? What are the indicators? Have I ADAPTED to Singapore?

Dunno, I am still trying to figure it out. For the time being I like dumplings, I like the respect for elders these fine people have and definitively enjoy sushi!

The other night I was thinking, because for the record, I DO think at times… but, what DO YOU think?

posted by iGnacio at Thursday, October 06, 2005

11 Comments:

  • Depends on what you define as foreign culture and to what extent.
    - Food is a very good start actually, normally when one thinks of what is representative of jap culture, Sushi comes to mind, pretty successful eh
    - Thinking like the locals as in some values or mindsets which you like and adopt then, like equality, punctuality, frankness, recycling etc, or planning way in advance
    - Things you dont used to think or take importance to, u do now!
    on your personal schedule :P
    2 cents from me, but i know the feeling sometimes, when i say i want to go home, that cty with its foreign culture is home to me!

    By Blogger Ying, at October 06, 2005 2:21 PM  

  • Nachito:

    Sushi ain't Singaporean. I thought I would point that out. I have time to write in people's blogs but not the time to write in mine...ah, geez :P

    And yes, I think the same things about my experience here..it feels like home but at the same time...

    By Blogger Melissa, at October 06, 2005 2:41 PM  

  • I have had rambling thoughts on the same matter recently many times. Last time it was yesterday evening, over a dinner with a friend… And you know what??? I understand more and more why I like living here…. Singapore is ‘green’ (HBDI brain dominance model says 'green' is orderly and organised so I can easily asjust to that) and this is certainly contributing for my comfort zone but also because of work and the international people…

    I believe the same place can be recognised as a paradise and as a dull place by different people, depending on their preference for various aspects of life...

    By Blogger eGitti, at October 06, 2005 3:07 PM  

  • Stop thinking :) Jen x

    By Blogger Jennifer, at October 08, 2005 4:18 AM  

  • I think the respect for elders is a good thing (especially for you/us :). From a cultural point of view Singapore is for me not "foreign". Due to the fact that I am Korean (German). For the record: I know my attidue seems to be a strange combination of German and Korean. I am somehow stuck in the middle of two culture. In German I am foreign due to the fact that don't look like a German and in Korea I am not really Korean beacause of my German accent and my German background. Ok my home is Germany, but my heart belongs to Korea, strange or? Most of you most likely know the expression of people like me (and you Melissa): banana!!! Outside yellow and inside white :) Ok back to the topic! For ME Singapore is not a typical asian city, if you compare to other asian city like TYO, SEL, KL, BKK .... it is more laid back, easy going, not crowded and has so many international influences. Some say Singapore is boring, but I like Singapore. And if you come back after you travelled around than you really feel it is like "home" (at least for one year). To make it short: I think Singapore is a country easy to fall in love or to get ADAPTED. SO far I can say I am in a dating phase :) Parkie

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 08, 2005 10:54 AM  

  • if you are enjoying yourself in different country, then you are adapted...:)

    By Blogger Aibek D., at October 09, 2005 6:23 PM  

  • WOW thanks for your contributions!
    YING I guess under your definitions I am still not adapted then
    MELISSA I know sushi is not Singaporean, but coming from a person that did not use to eat fish, it is a great adaptation, even to Japan! :)
    GITTI you ARE adapted already! &%$^&#$
    PARKIE you are right (have I just given you the reason?) anyway, you ARE a banana.But Singapore is giving you yet another change of adapting youself to a new country... That is cool! (By the way... I am sorry for beating you up at tennis today)
    AIBEK you adapt anywehere we seee. GREAT SKILL man.
    JENNIFER you are right. I will stop thinking and I am going to bed (adapted ot not adapted... I am sleepy) CHAU CHAU!

    By Blogger Nacho, at October 10, 2005 12:56 AM  

  • Why one would like to be considered being adapted to a certain culture? In order to be accepted by local people? In order to show the capability of living in diversity? In order to run business and build up network?

    Well, to me, I think the motive is even more interesting to know. Cheers!

    By Blogger Vega, at October 10, 2005 1:14 PM  

  • True test is when you can tell jokes that are appreciated by that culture and also laugh at local jokes. It shows a true assmiliaton and understanding of the local culture, customs and... or something.

    By Blogger Devrim, at October 10, 2005 7:06 PM  

  • VEGA: iI did not say I WANTED TO BE ADAPTED, I just said I wondered WHEN could one consider onself adapted to the culture. So, for example, could we all say YOU are adapted to INDIAN culture?! Well, dunnno... :):):)

    DEVRIM: Interesting. Very interesting. I will pay attention to this. (Does laughing at the accent count?)

    By Blogger Nacho, at October 11, 2005 7:11 PM  

  • Hahahhaha, Well in that case, Nacho,...Devrim's recommendations on testing with jokes will never work well on me. So forget about using it on me, it will not be accurate =P

    Bcoz I'm a slow poke with jokes. Ying can vouch for me right? =P

    By Blogger Cheryl, at October 13, 2005 2:28 PM  

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