Blogpost 4: Intercultural Differences

Having spent all my life in Singapore, the exchange program to Texas presented me with numerous cultural shocks and intercultural conflicts. I hereby share with you a light hearted intercultural conflict.

After the last day of spring semester, students from the University of Texas at Austin (UT) were required to move out of their respective dormitories. As I finished my exams early, I went over to Will and Tyler’s room to help them with their packing. Will is a fellow exchange student from NUS, whereas Tyler is a Texan who lives in El Paso, a few hundred miles east of UT.

Halfway through the packing, Tyler’s parents arrived to assist him in the transportation of his items. Tyler introduced them as David and Mary. I greeted them with “Hi, nice to meet you” and continued with the packing. Will, on the other hand greeted them with “ Hi uncle David, hi aunty Mary”. David and Mary appeared bemused and inquired about Will’s relationship with them. Will realized the cultural difference and cleared up the misunderstanding. However, he stood firm by his Asian roots and subsequently addressed them as “Mr and Mrs Williams” instead of “David and Mary”.

Growing up in an Asian society, we were taught to respect our elders when addressing them. Never were we allowed to address our elders by their first name only. We are required to either address them by their title followed by last name, or in more intimate instances, “uncle/aunty” followed by their first name. However, in the American society, it is not uncommon to address elders by solely their first name. During lectures in UT, I have heard fellow students address the lecturer by his first name.

In the case of Will and Tyler’s parents, the conflict was minor and the confusion was cleared swiftly. Deeper misunderstandings could occur in the event of a formal meeting between Americans and Asian elders. Thus, it is important to realize the intercultural differences and the potential conflicts that could result from them.