Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour

We live in an interconnected world, where world views, ideas, goods and cultural idiosyncrasies across vast geographical boundaries converge and integrate internationally. This is the result of globalization. Singapore is one classic exemplar of a globalised nation where people from all walks of life meet and interact with one another under various circumstances. With the rise in foreign talents, workers and labours in Singapore, intercultural communication is becoming increasingly important as we strive to live harmoniously together through the reconciliation of our differences.

A few years ago, when my mother decided to hire a foreign domestic worker to help out with chores at home, life in my humble abode became a microcosm of Singapore society, where the integration of the “foreign element” has always been an issue. Not surprisingly, I had vicariously experienced many instances of intercultural communication between my mother and our helper, which were often amusing to the audience (me) yet frustrating to the actual subjects in action. 

I cite an example.

Once, our indonesian domestic helper, Wati, was instructed by my mother to prepare a pot of beef broth for dinner. Knowing that Wati does not have a good command of English, my mother used simplified English to illustrate her step-by-step instructions. Holding up the ingredients, she began to explain.

“Wati, this one is for dinner. Fill the pot with water, and boil the water.”

“Ma’am, fill water?” Wati interrupted, looking rather puzzled.

“Yes, water. Very easy. Wait for it to boil first, then put in the beef, Okay? I’m late for my appointment already. See you tonight!” 

“errrrr... Okay okay, yes ma’am” Wati replied after much hesitation.

That evening, my mother came home with a bag of raw noodles, ready to prepare sumptuous bowls of beef broth noodles for the family. To her horror, the pot was filled with what looked like a stew, constituting carrots, more carrots and some beef.

“WATIIIIII!” My mother screeched. Wati responded immediately to her deafening call, her face filled with apprehension.

“Wati, what happened to my soup! I only told you to add water to the beef!” My mother exclaimed indignantly.

“Yes ma’am, I know! I add water! You said water! Ma’am, this is water, no?” Wati explained desperately pointing to the carrots in the pot. 

“These are carrots! Not water!” My mother replied with exasperation and a look of disbelief. “This is water,” my mother continued to explain, flexing her thumb towards her mouth in a back and forth motion.

“OH, sorry Ma’am, I thought you said WOR-TEL” Wati apologized, realizing her folly. “Wortel means this one in Indonesia.” Wati said, pointing to the carrots again. 

It was indeed a classic example of intercultural communication where language barrier was an issue. Fortunately, communication was improved between my mother and Wati when culturally universal hand gestures come into play. As such, finding common variations of cultural universals could perhaps be the answer to the struggles we face as Singaporeans, as we learn to reconcile the differences between us and our foreign counterparts. Intercultural communication would be made more effective if we begin to see the common elements we share, rather than highlighting our differences.