American Stereotyping

Washington DC Summit a wonderful concept that National Geographic has put together for students to not only explore our DC area; but also to meet and work with students across the United States and the world.

Staff and Students at Whitley Secondary School in Singapore are slowly being introduced to the program that will take them to NYC and Washington DC next March. They are excited. I am excited (I love the DC Summit program and can't wait to work with students both here in Singapore, but in the United States).

One of the components that I am preparing for is the presentation of this program to perspective corporate sponsors and of course parents of perspective student travelers. The National Geographic program offers such a myriad of opportunties for students, selling the concept is not difficult. I have not been so excited about an educational concept and program in a long time.

However... American television programs that are broadcast in Singapore may present an obstacle of their own in convincing families why they should spend thousands of dollars to the good ol USA. CSI:NY; Bones; NCIS; Criminal Minds; Law and Order:SVU; Law and Order:Criminal Intent --- these are shown every day/night over and over again (not to mention CSI; CSI: Miami; NCIS: LA; Numb3rs; and a multitude of other 'law and order' type shows.

So if this is the prime examples of life in the United States --- explain to me how I tell Singaporean parents that it is a 'good' thing to send their students on a 20+ hour plane trip to spend a week in the heart of CRIME. Even tonight... "Murder She Wrote" - NYC murder and crime.

Recently there was a facebook posting that had dialogue that went something like: 'fake tan, fake boobs, fake fingernails, .... are you sure she was made in China'. I saw this a a bad stereotype of China and more directly Chinese. As I contemplate the image that the shows Singaporeans are viewing and attempting to determine what stereotyping is occuring of those who live in the United States I am aware that this will truly be an eyeopening experience for the students.

I just need to figure out a way to get parents and financial partners to see beyond the 'televised' propaganda (and cross my fingers that is waht it really is).

Chinese Wedding

8 Courses, but only 6 involved the use of chopsticks!!

Mark and I were invited to attend a reception and dinner wedding celebration. I want to clarify this as we did not attend the actual wedding ceremony, nor did we attend the tea ceremony which I am beginning to believe is a much bigger deal than perhaps the wedding ceremony.

At any rate we were seated at the auspicious table number 13 - one needs to remember that for the Chinese 13 is a lucky number.

The reception began at 6:30 pm with dinner 'scheduled' to begin at 7. Of course Singapore time means that beginning at 8 would be good. Am not entirely sure if what we were waiting on was the guests to finish filtering in OR for the bride to finish getting ready. My research (limited at best) as to what we could expect; meant that the bride (and groom) would change clothes 3 times during the course of dinner. The slide show that had been playing during the predinner actually showed her in 6 or 7 dresses and from what I could understand is that from these she picked her 3.

Apparently she first appears in her 'wedding dress'; as the couple enter they (teen boys of the family) lined the aisle to shoot off larger 'poppers'. The added touch was that waiters from the restaurant had buckets of dry ice in champagne buckets that they added water to creating that nice thick fog effect.

The first course (appetizers) were delivered via a Vegas style theater effect. Included was slices of roast suckling pig; jellyfish and octupus; prawns with melon; BBQ pork. It is important to note that dinners at these type of celebrations are served family style. One large platter in the middle with everyone helping themselves.

Our table was set with the utensil of preference with the Chinese...chopsticks!!! Our neighboring table was set with spoon and fork (no knives) - however this was a table of Malay. Now the very nice gentlemen seated to my left offered to get me 'fork and spoon' but being of determined Czech and German bloodlines... I was determined to work the chopsticks. Of course with my first attempts it was quickly becoming obvious that unless something changed that this was going to be a new diet - 'Chop your way to a stick figure'.

To my rescue... my personal chopstick tutor. The gentlemen sitting to my left was kind enough and showed great patience in teaching me how to use these polished round sticks to enjoy my dinner. As the evening progressed I did seem to get better (of course there is great debate as to whether I was learning how to make my fingers work or it was the increased intake of wine that made the greater difference).

After the 4 course, the bride and groom made another appearance down the aisle. This time in the clothing that they wore for the tea ceremony. With this reappearance they cut their wedding cake (which was never actually served); opened the champagne which was poured into a fountain created from champagne glasses; a toast - which had all the single men of all ages from the families to the front to shout good luck wishes 'Gong Xi' numerous times while the women from the families drank the champage; and the tossing of the bridal bouquet.

The festivies seemed to come to a quick end when it was announced that the shuttle that would take people back to the MRT (train) station would be leaving. So there was a quick ushering through a receiving line... and the night was over; for the guests.

It was my understanding that earlier in the week, one of the events they had was the bed tossing and making. On this day toddlers were brought in to the bedroom of the bride and groom. Their task was to jump and tumble on the bed. Purpose you ask? Well if the couple wished to have boys then the toddlers would be only boys; girls then you bring in the female toddlers; and of course should you want both.... then you bring in both to have fun. After they have had their moments of chaos they are ushered out and a grandmother (preferrably one with lots of grandchildren) is brought in to make up the bed. NO one is then allowed in the room or to touch the bed until the bride and groom on their wedding night ( or rather afternoon nap time on the day of the wedding).

There is much I am still unclear about, however it was an interesting event to be invited to attend; my chopstick ablities are greatly improved and most importantly.... I got to drink several glasses of nice red wine that I didn't have to pay for!!! (Remember wine in Singapore is very expensive, so this was the first wine I had since arriving)