Kultur 'Shock' in Deutschland

I was in Germany for 8 months last year and experienced first-hand the cultural differences between the Germans and the culture we have here in Singapore (some call it 'Asian', but I don't know if it is fair to paint all Asians with the same brush).

I had my first culture shock in only my first week there. I was staying in a youth hostel and one night, it was so cold that I had trouble falling asleep. Then, I noticed that the lady next to me had opened the window above her bed. It was well below zero outside and I felt that even if the person had wanted to keep the window open, it would be unfair to everyone else in the dorm. So without further hesitation, I closed the window and went back to sleep.

The next morning, the lady was clearly in a foul mood. She complained to me that someone had closed the window the previous night and she was having a splitting headache as a result. Maybe my expression gave me away, but she immediately figured out that I was the culprit. What followed was a the first tongue lashing that I had ever received from a stranger. I was utterly dumbfounded and could only mutter 'Tut mir Leid (sorry)' repeatedly.

After she left, I reflected on this incident and found myself feeling really sore about being scolded. But then I realised that being straightforward is probably something normal in their culture. In contrast, Singaporeans would at most complain privately and would certainly refrain from directly criticising a person.

Although I didn't directly discuss this issue with a German, I saw many more examples of Germans being upfront and straightforward. One instance was in a supermarket where I was queuing up at the cashier. There was only 1 cashier and the queue was getting quite long. Suddenly, I head a lady's voice behind me that boomed (in German), "Hey, open up another line!". Immediately, one of the employees came out mumbling "all right, all right" and started up a new cashier station. That really impressed me... Firstly, because in Singapore, no one would have dared shout like that. And secondly, even if someone did, it would really make the cashier very unhappy. Yet in Germany, it was just something natural and no one was the worse for wear.

Application letter critique

Blk 485 Jurong West Ave 1
#08-61
Singapore 640485

05 September 5 2010

ECO Sphere
87 Beach Road
Chye Sing Building
#06-01
Singapore 189695

Dear Mr Wilson Ang,

I am graduating in December from the National University of Singapore and I am writing to apply for a job at Environmental Challenge Organisation, Singapore (ECO Singapore). Although there are no job vacancies on the website, I am hopeful that there will be some way I can offer my services in the programmes department. ECO Singapore has been active in engaging the youth as well as working with international partners, both of which I feel strongly about.

I am passionate about environmental and social issues facing humanity and have been actively involved in community service projects for the past few years that address both areas. My experience in managing projects that target these issues have helped me to understand how to engage the general public as well as tackle problems on the spot. I have also been able to hone my leadership and interpersonal skills by being a mentor for younger students in various events.

My skills include proficiency in web development and knowledge in engineering principles. Besides being fluent in English and Mandarin, I have a good grasp of German and I am currently studying Bahasa Indonesia in the university. These language skills would be useful in interacting with our international partners. In addition, I am very willing to pick up new skills.

Despite the challenging requirements of working with ECO Singapore, I believe my passion and experience can meet your needs. I have several ideas on new programmes that I can help to implement and I will contact you next week to share these ideas. In the meantime if there are any enquiries, please feel free to contact me. My contact details are as follows:
Email: tanyihan@nus.edu.sg
Handphone: +65-91700320

My resume is attached. Thank You for reviewing my letter!

Yours faithfully,

Tan Yi Han

Extra post: Air-conditioned bus interchanges - is it a good idea?

“Revamp for Bedok Town Centre” in the Straits Times, 2nd September 2010, announced the proposed building of a new air-conditioned bus interchange in Bedok.

I would like to challenge the reasoning behind installing air-conditioning in a bus interchange. Firstly, since commuters spend generally about 10 minutes in the bus interchange to wait for a bus. I hope that is not a long time to wait in natural conditions.

A well designed non-air-conditioned bus interchange can still protect commuters from the sun and rain, whilst allowing fresh air through. On the other hand, since most of the air in air-conditioned buildings is recirculated, the air quality tends to be worse. Have studies been done on whether dangerous carbon monoxide gas builds up in air-conditioned bus interchanges?

Air-conditioning uses up an immense amount of energy and surely, if Singapore, SMRT and SBS want to trumpet their green credentials, then air-conditioned bus interchanges should not be the way to go. Fossil fuels will run out eventually, and in fact, we are expected to hit peak production of petroleum and natural gas within the next 2 decades. Some studies even claim that we may have already passed peak production. If we continue to waste energy, even if we cover the entire island with solar cells, it will not be able to supply us the energy we need. The Singapore government has been lauded for its far-sightedness, and I hope that we take the future energy crisis threat seriously.

Last but not least, these gigantic energy guzzlers cost not only the Earth, but us, the commuters and tax payers. Rather than spending the money on superficial improvements such as air-conditioned bus interchanges, why not invest in a more efficient transport network?