Personal Reflection

This trip to China has certainly increased my knowledge of China and made me more aware of the values and beliefs of the people of China. In Shanghai, we visited the Huang Pu Jiang. On one side of the river, there were traditional European buildings while on the other side, there were modern skyscrapers. It amazes me that two completely different types of buildings are separated by just a river. Both types of buildings exist so close yet so far from each other. It was as if the river connected both the past and present Shanghai together. I then learnt that inside the traditional western buildings, it was actually modern. This led me to think of how China could improve yet preserve their culture at the same time. Normally, the government would remove old buildings and architecture to make way for newer and modern buildings, but China managed to preserve the old buildings and improve at the same time. They kept the exterior of the buildings and changed the interior.

I also learnt that ancient China treasures beauty and art. When we visited the Slender West Lake, I noticed that all the rowers of the boats are females. There was not a single male rowing the boat. I found out that it is because females look more graceful and elegant when rowing the boats compared the men. This led me to infer that China focuses more on beauty and the arts compared to efficiency and strength. Then we visited the Block Printing Museum and I found out that block printing is a diminishing job. Many people do not have the patience to carve out all the different words as it is too troublesome and time-consuming. Also, people nowadays do not know how to appreciate the arts. Presently, people are all turning to technology to type out words instead of using the traditional methods. Although technology is definitely more convenient and faster, the traditional methods have a certain beauty to them that makes us look in awe and wonder once the masterpiece is done.

I used to be quite proud of Singapore, but after visiting China, my pride for Singapore lessened. Singapore has so much to learn from China. One example is preserving the culture. In Singapore, many cultural and heritage sites are removed for modernization. Singapore should have done the same as China. The government should retain the exterior of the building and change the interior. It is killing two birds with one stone as Singapore can not only keep its culture but also improve at the same time. Another example is the manners and behaviour. When we visited Hai Di Lao, I was very surprised at the staffs’ hospitality. The ushered us to our seats and did almost everything for us. They rushed to pour water for us, gave the girls hair ties to tie their hair, gave those wearing spectacles a cloth to clean their glasses and many more. They sincerely did their job and smiled while doing so. But in Singapore, the waiters and waitresses rarely smiled when serving customers. They always seem to do their job half-heartedly and would only help the customers when they are requested to do so. When I saw how proactive and polite the China staff were, it made me embarrassed of Singapore’s Customer Service. Although it is a bit unnerving to be served without asking to be, I hope that Singapore can learn from China to be more helpful and sincere when doing their job.

Jessie (2)