To start off want to say I love your blogs on ‘Sillypore’ stuffs very much. I had my ‘moments’ during my less-than-2 years-stay in Sillypore. I have been living and working in London, UK for nearly a decade. Oh yes, I am an Oriental (not your stereotypical Asian ‘Chink’). But, I have adapted so well during my time spent back in London, meeting friends and have learned the best of British, the mannerism and of course beer, not lager mind you ;-)

Anyway, I ‘bumped’ into lots of social and cultural issues, since my first day here in Sillypore. Locals do not seem to understand how to apologize which they tend to muffled ’sorry’ exessively on every occasion. At certain times, ‘excuse me’ is a more appropriate phrase. Also, locals tend to ’stare’ at you as if you are some kind of alien ( I am a yellow so why look at me like I am some kind of a freak!!) And I had been told not to speak like a Brit in an argument of sharing a HDB unit!! At the end I gave up and live on my own. What a frickin rasicts comment he has made?! Anyway, these are just a few of them…..it has not been easy on me but I choose to ignore all these silly issues.

How do I get over it?! Well, NEVER!! But, there is one thing and that is time …. ( how cheesy is that! But it DOES wonders) Ignorance CAN be a bliss. These days, after staying and working for more than a year I have managed get over the hump by ignoring these problems and say to myself whatever, it’s like that lah and the infamous Singlish what to do?! Frankly speaking I still do not mix with the locals a lot. How do I past my time…well get some exercise in the gym, take up lessons, reading, moseying at the malls ( checking the locals’ behaviour. What and how to ‘avoid’ them. I am still trying to figure out why they do some weird things…and so on ) and play online games on my PS 3 (how pathetic). Oh and of course having few pints sharing few local jokes with my Ang Mo colleagues. That’s how and I am still trying to get rid or subdue the shock :-)

Honestly, my advise is simple try to understand their flaws, accept it and get along with it. Be forgiving (you know what I mean)

Finally, this if for ZQ. I believe you have ‘rojak’ or confused with the facts between food and culture shock. There is no relationship between them at all. Food is how it was prepared to serve and tantalise your taste buds. Culture is something people pass on, learn, adapt and evolve for the better. I like food here but i still have culture shock. Get it right, mate.

KL

Just my thought
ZQ
PassportChop.com