Natural respect in gesture
It's been nearly a week in Singapore! People watching and interaction has me on my toes. I love it! Foreign stimulation. English is widely spoken out here. Encounters, for the most part, have been kind and helpful. The island is mixed with mostly Asians of China, Malaysia and India. And sprinkled in the mix are some Europeans, Americans (~ 1.4, of 5.2 million, are non-resident foreigners). India is the only other Asian country I have explored so far and I am seeing the cultural overlapping, from Malay words (one of the four main languages spoken in SG) to locals' body gestures.
The natural respect in gesture of 'motherland Asians' is very much visible, especially towards elders and from those in the service sector.
The day we arrived, our receptionist and maintenance workers all took their shoes off in the hallway before entering the apartment.
Our waiter at a modern but low-key restaurant greeted us with one knee on the floor each time he came to the table.
From the grocery store to the public transit ticketing booth, most Singaporeans pass an object along with two hands. Sometimes with one hand, and the other hand touching that arm's elbow.
And in general, the friendly fast-paced vertical head bopping accompanies these gestures. The nonverbal thank you and welcome.
Growing up, gestures like these have been familiar. Not exactly passing along objects with two hands but definitely giving/taking with my right hand (When worshipping a shrine, rituals with one hand on the other arm's elbow is normal). Not exactly getting on my knees when giving something, especially to elders, but making sure I'm speaking to others at eye level whenever possible. Also, making sure we don't touch literary objects with our feet. And the thought of taking my footwear off at the door is custom.
Being surrounded by a culture where these gestures are natural has been warming! Nice to see traditional customs alive. *Namaste -gesture-*
