Hello, Mr. Bus Driver

I can always make Karen laugh when I mention she should say "Hello" to the bus drivers as she gets on the bus. She usually says "Nooooooo!!!!" It's one of the many little differences I think of between Singapore and Seattle. Besides the obvious, like the heat and humidity year-round, the crowds everywhere, and how clean everything looked, I think of the small differences and smile.

When I visited Karen in Singapore October 2007, I didn't really know what to expect. I had read a book called "Culture Shock" which explained many of the cultural differences to look forward to, but reading a book is nothing like experiencing it first-hand.

The first one: Here in Seattle, when I get on the bus, I usually say Hello to the bus driver. Since I take the same buses every day to/from work, I often see the same drivers. It's always just a quick greeting but there's recognition there and even a "haven't seen you in while" if either of us have been away. In Singapore, I said "Hello" to the driver as I boarded for the first time and I remember he looked a bit shocked and mumbled a kind of "Hello" back to me. Karen laughed when we sat down and said that rarely does anyone talk to the driver. I took that as a kind of challenge and would greet the driver every time I got on. I noticed that nearly everywhere, no one hardly ever noticed the public-works people like ticket-takers, bus drivers or even security guards in the MRT stations. But I started nodding a "Hello" whenever I could and many times got a smile in return. Karen would poke me in the ribs and tell me to stop but of course that would just make me want to do it more. I felt that I could get away with it since I was a visitor/foreigner and wouldn't know the customs. As it went on, I started to joke about making it even a bigger greeting, until I thought about doing something really big like saying really loudly, "Hello, Mr. Bus Driver. How are you? It's so nice to see you. How's Mrs. Bus Driver today? I'm going to Toa Payoh Central and then going to take the MRT to Orchard Road. I hope to see you again soon!" I never went that far, but I laugh whenever I think about it and it usually can make Karen smile because she knows the background to that statement.

The second one: People love to eat and mingle. We met many of Karen's friends over the ten days I was there but it was always at a restaurant or food court. Except one time when I made dinner for Karen and three of her friends so they could all meet me at the same time. There are food places everywhere, whether full restaurants, food courts, food stands, or just hawkers selling finger foods and drinks. But wherever there was food, there was people sitting and enjoying being out with friends and family. Here in Seattle, when I've gone out, either alone or with family and friends, I can always see a few people out by themselves, enjoying their quiet time. Reading a book, writing a letter, or on a computer. I used to do that all time and never thought twice about it. In Singapore, I rarely saw a person sitting alone. I sat by myself a few times, during days that I would go exploring and just needed a quick bite to eat or wanted to rest at TCC or Starbucks, but even then I would engage in conversation with people. At a Starbucks, I would say I was from Seattle and how I loved going to various Starbucks there. At TCC or somewhere else, I would mention that I was visiting my girlfriend who was working, giving me time to explore Singapore.

The third one: At a restaurant, the servers will not give you the bill until you ask for it. They don't want to give the impression that they are pushing you out. And I never noticed any cold looks from them as Karen and I would linger over coffee and dessert. Here in America, they will almost always give you the bill but say, "Whenever you're ready, no hurry." Usually, I am not one for lingering after I'm done eating but in Singapore with Karen, I never even would think about leaving until we were done with our conversation and felt it was time to go.

I'm sure there are more small differences that I'll think of soon, but I want to hit 'publish' now and go laugh with Karen...