One of them is going to Taiwan and another is going Bangkok next month.
Talking about travel, it's such an interesting and wide topic. From the weather to where to stay, places to go and things to do, where to shop and what to eat, it's endless. They are sharing their tips and experiences of their past travels.
Daniel, the guy going to Taiwan, says that Taiwanese are friendly. He remembers during his last trip, he stopped on the street to orientate himself on where was he and which direction to head to. In less than 10 seconds, two persons stopped and offered to help him.
When he visited Japan, he went into a restaurant to ask about a place. The waitress offered them seats, served them water, went into the office to search for the location and printed the map and direction for them.
I also had a similar experience in Japan. I was in Kyoto and visited the Imperial Palace. Unfortunately, it was closed for some renovation work. We decided to explore the neighborhood housing area for some authentic local cuisine. But all we saw were houses. So we looked around for a market or community area to ask the locals.
Aha. There's an air-conditioned shop that looked like a Konbini (convenience shop), except they were selling vegetables as well. Quite lively compared to other parts of this area, which was generally quiet. We saw a few ladies about 50 to 70 year-old walking or cycling there.
We were a little apprehensive as everybody seemed so engrossed and busy with their shopping. Just then, we saw a elderly lady about 50 stopping her bicycle in front of the shop. We quickly approach her. She thought for a while and asked if we are looking for any specific food. After all, there's sashimi, sushi, hotpot, ramen, soba, katsudon and lots more when it comes to Japanese food.
We told her anything is fine. She tilted her head a little for a while before asking if ramen is fine.
Of course. We were expecting her to give us the direction to the restaurant when she started walking with us.
"Isn't she going to do grocery shopping?" we thought to ourselves.
And it was DRIZZLING and COLD.
Then we realized she's bringing us to the shop.
Along the way, she asked where we were from and how long we'll be in Japan. And I asked her if she's been to Singapore. We walked about two streets before reaching the restaurant. She brought us in and told the owner that we wanted to eat ramen before bidding good bye to us.
This morning, I was thinking about this and my travel experiences.
In Japan, nobody talks loudly in the subway. I heard from my Japanese teacher that they usually set their mobile phone to silent mode and refrain from using it on train. We became self aware and also followed them while there.
In Bangkok, I've yet to see someone talking loudly on the bus or skytrain or having music blasting loudly from their ear-piece. I follow suit.
When you eat at McDonald's in Japan, you don't leave your tray on the table after eating. You not only clear your own tray, but you also separate the ice from the cup, the plastic cover of the cup and straw. So the ice and remaining water go to this bin, the plastic cover and plastic straw go to another bin, the paper cup and wrapper go to the last bin. I wonder why it's so difficult just to get Singaporeans to just clear the tray.
In Singapore, you see people talking loudly on their mobile phone in subway and buses. Some even have their music blasting so loudly from their ear-piece that you can hear it 5-feet away. People spitting and littering everywhere. They don't clear their tray despite the government running campaigns.
Singaporeans often blame the foreigners for such bad behaviors. But why the foreigners behave like this here. But follow what the natives do in other countries?
If you look at it, you see Singaporeans are also doing it. You see the locals spitting and littering. you see them just walk away after eating at McDonald. Are the foreigners doing it because we are doing it ourselves? Are they just a reflection of ourselves?
While these foreigners may also behave badly in other countries. But could it be that since those natives are not doing it, they become pressured to conform to the social etiquette?
There's no denying that there are Japanese and Thai people who behave badly. There are also Singaporeans who are gracious. Could it be the collective behavior of the majority of people that shapes the culture? After all, when you see nobody is doing it, you are less likely to do it. When you see others are doing it, you think it's ok to do it.
In your company, what kind of culture are you fostering?
Are your staff watching what others are doing before they do it? Are you building a culture where it's ok to make mistakes? Or being a Yes man the road to career advancement?
P.S. I've yet to hear of a restaurant in Singapore that serves water to people who walk in to ask for direction. Let me know if you have such experience.