- Artefacts & Products
Rituals & Behaviors - Systems & Institutions
- Beliefs, Attitudes & Conventions
- Basic Assumptions & Values
All over Singapore, in MRT stations, Government buildings, libraries and shopping centers, we see comic strips called, Chew On It. Below are a few examples of such comic strips:
Honestly, I do not think that Singaporeans are as imbecile or as badly behaved as they are portrayed in these comic strips. Yes, they are created in the name of humor; but it carries with it as well, the puissance of International Communication.
Let's take for example the first comic strip that shows a scene in the library. It's trying to bring across the message of proper behavior in the library. I have to admit there are a handful of people who talk aloud in the library; but do Singaporeans dig their noses and flick the nose-dirt at others? I do not think so. Such exaggerations will leave a deep impression in anybody due to the intensity of the disgust portrayed that causes people to select such information more frequently. The other comic strips are no different.
These comic strips fall under the category of Artefacts in the "Culture Onion". Tourists from all over the world, when visiting our country, will come to notice these comic strips first, some even before they begin to interact with Singaporeans. Bearing these negative notions in their heads, they may tend to make judgments about the locals based on the misconception that they perceived from the comics (that the locals are dumb, lazy, inconsiderate etc.) Most of these tourists do not even stay long enough to begin looking into our Systems and Institutions, thus bringing with them such negative impressions of Singaporeans back to their countries.
What about the effects of these comic strips on Singaporeans? Generally, these comic strips have been used in government campaigns and thus have a significant level of credibility in them. Locals (especially small children who cannot discern right from wrong) ,who see these comics, subconsciously feel that they should behave like this to fit the norm in the Singaporean society; in other words, they believe that such comic strips depicts the reality they live in. Either this, or they may share similar sentiments as I do, that these comics may cause some sort of misconception of Singaporeans.
I agree that comics are meant to be looked at from a humorous perspective, but definitely not one that mocks at our very own morals and behaviors (and I'm dead sure that i don't see Singaporeans flicking nose-dirt into the mouths of others- or maybe i should hang out at the libraries more often?).
Other such forms of media includes some of Singapore's own movie productions that portray Singaporeans as uncouth, uneducated etc. Yes, these films are made to depict "reality", but how real is "real"?
It all boils down to the "Chicken vs. Egg" riddle. Did the media truly portray the image of Singaporeans? Or, did the media portray a "false reality" that Singaporeans slowly adopt as their cultural template? How then can we improve on not sending off the negative signals while reminding the public to be gracious?
*Once again, I must stress that there is no intention to offend.
6 comments:
Hey dude! I like the way you have used comic strips to show what people perceive of the Singaporean culture. Well, I also do not believe that all of these are true reflections of the Singaporean culture. In fact, I feel that some of these are an exaggeration of some of the bad habits certain Singaporeans (not all) adopt. Habits like littering are on the rise as far as I know, but portraying Singaporeans as stupid or flicking disgusting tissue papers around in the library... I do not see that happening.
I feel that the media could have shown and encouraged proper behaviour in positive ways than to show certain negative behaviours in an exaggerated fashion, which might offend people and lead to bad impressions that might not already exist to form.
[Oh by the way, you are the one who answered our lecturer's question today right? haha for the past few weeks I have been looking out for you in class to recognise who you are since you're a kind commenter on my blog. But I couldn't tell who you are cuz you look really different in your profile picture here. Okay but now I know haha.((: ]
I do agree with you that it's a bit too exaggerated. Haha. And just like you, I have not encounter people digging their nose right in front of you. But maybe you can find them in the coffee shops?
I feel that the purpose of the comic stips is not to really show the ugly side of Singaporeans. Neither to teach the kids those wrongs things. Maybe it is a way to remind ourselves how we should behave? After all, the government is trying to make Singpaore a graceful society.
And it's really your conscious as well? Those who are guilty of it might feel something else. Hehe.
i believe these comics are meant to be viewed in a more light hearted way. realize how singaporeans never smile when they are going about their ways? everyone seems so busy and engrossed in their own little worlds, these comics in a way can serve to cast a lighter side to our hectic lives. although exaggerated, they bring out the humor that we can easily relate to.
as for visitors getting the impression of singaporeans, well, i hope they are smart enough to realize that they are not truly the way of us, at least the majority! (:
Those cartoons are gross exaggerations. If the Westerners have a sense of humor, I think they'll understand. Afterall, aren't westerners always imposing onto their children the importance of etiquette? Nose picking and littering is viewed as a probem there too. As long as they don't actually see Singaporeans mimicking such awful behavior, then it shouldn't be a significant source that taints their idea of how Singapore should be.
hi Benjamin,
I feel although the use of artifacts and products do sent a message to others about the characteristics of our culture, it is still just the outermost layer of the culture onion.
Well, in order to really understand others culture, others still need some time to understand our basic assumptions and values we hold. To be able to understand that, one really needs time and effort.
So when others merely look at those comic strip around our country and concludes that we are 'uncivilized', that i think is too much of an oversimplification.
Hi Ben!
Looking at these comic strips, they may look at things in a negative manner, but it is not all that bad. They may look at these exaggeration as a form of trying to raising the attention over related issues. They may not take things on the surface as what singaporeans tend to do.
Moreover, I believe that judging from what tourists know about Singapore, they know that Singapore is a country of knowledge, hence they will tend to look at things in a more postive light as compared to other countries of a lower economy or education.
Post a Comment