My reflection on OELP 2G Shanghai-Yanghou trip
I feel that my trip to China Shanghai and Yangzhou has been a fulfilling one.
China, a common word, I would see in the newspaper, internet, news etc. Does the china I am visiting reflect the image I have in my mind? My initial impression of china was just a place filled with Chinese, Dim Sum , a place that Is getting more and more rich and products from all over the world is made in china.
But what I imagined is very different from what I see. China is not just a place filled with chinese culture it also has lots of foreign influence. The buildings in shanghai for example was influenced by the westerns. The buildings outside the Bund was as if we were in England . Not only that, the French concession area further show that not only chinese live in china. By visiting China has also made me realised that the economy growth in china is indeed getting faster. For instance, when I visited the Shanghai Volswagen, I was very impressed by the efficiency of the production of the Volkswagen cars. Imagine how much money would have been earned from selling so many cars everyday. China also have lots of branded brands from the western country such as Starbucks, Apple etc developing in china. As more trades will happen in china, Singapore would slowly lose it’s customer. Singapore doesn’t own as much land as China and the living ost in sinagapore is so much higher. Therefore I have learn we singaporeans should not be complacent but instead should be more aware of the upcoming challenges and start preparing to improve ourselves.
There are many lessons to be learn in China too
When everyone was looking at the beautiful nightview of shanghai we observed that iconic buildings and lasers. It is not to act as landmarks but instead it is to advertise their brands in the night. It is also similar to Singapore’s marina view in the night iconic structures such as the esplanade, marina bay sands, Fullerton hotel and etc. This is iconic structures defines a country hence it is important.
Is Singapore’s attitude towards the customer the best in the world? Not quite look at Hai Di Lao’s service it is a lot better than what we are experiencing in Singapore. The difference are that the waiters and waitress in the restaurant are much more polite and considerate. The services provided are much more thoughtful. The restaurant have a playground for children so that the parents can eat without taking care of their excited children.But what is more significant is that they have Television showing their children playing. Hence the customer could observe what their children are doing so they can prevent any trouble from happening. The restaurant also provides nail and shoe polishing services. It increases the satisfaction of the customer. Before the steamboat meal the restaurant provided the girl’s with long hair with hair pins and for people who wore spectacles a cloth so that one could wipe off the water droplets on our spectacles when we were eating the steamboat. They also have a counter for customers to make their own appetizers and fruits. Hence it gives the customers more freedom to choos what they want. From a customer’s point of view I feel that the whole experience was very memorable as every small action they did was significant and cause my time in the restaurant like I was an emperor. They must have achieve their target of leaving their customers a good impression and making their customers want to come again. (their food is really good J) But Singapore is lacking of such detailed thoughtful services. Therefore we should learn from them and improve ourselves.
But when we improve we must always remember to preserve too. In Singapore as time goes the traditional habits, buildings, culture are slowly depleting. Lesser people speak in their dialects. We all have forgotten our roots. But in china it is different they not only preserve but they also promote and improve their culture. The make up shop for example was a popular make up brand even back in the Chinese dynasties. But as competition gets tougher and tougher they have to improvise. Once a makeup that you have the adjust yourself, now no more the company produced products that appeal to the crowd and also preserving the brand that is popular among many. Therefore it is killing two birds with one stone.
What Singapore could do too is to implent our old Singapore culture into modern day society. Shophouses could be ‘alive’ again maybe having a modern day kopitiam in a shophouse hence one could not only enjoy the delicious Singapore cuisine but also feel the old Singapore.
When visiting a local Chinese school and workplace of the Chinese I am more aware of the values and beliefs of people in China. They are serious, determined people. In the school every student are sitting straight paying attention to the teacher. They did not even drink a drip of water during class as they are afraid of missing out some important facts the teacher might be saying. Even in relaxed classes such as art and music they still bring in a hardworking and attentive attitude during lesson. Even though it is an impossible task for students of Singapore to pick up such serious attitude towards learning . But we still need to be as serious when we are studying as it concerns your life whether you could be a scholar and I the future contributing towards the society through your job. At their workplace I could see many banners hat was words printed that is used to give the workers constant reminder to be serious at work. Such seriousness is a value that every person should have. To be serious at a particular work could allow one to perform better to be more focused hence the outcome of the person’s action would be better.
I myself is a person who can’t always be serious. I would usually be less focus on my task and hence make mistakes at important times. But the attitude in China shocked me and made me realised that it is important to be serious at times. Hence I always remind myself to be more serious at times a I don’t wish to have anymore preventable mistakes happening again.
This made me realised how lucky I am to be born with a status of a Singaporean. China has it’s beauty that I admire like the weather but it has it’s con too. People smoking at places when they are not suppose to. Not as clean public toilets. This is are things that can be change but even if those changes are made I will still be proud being a Singaporean. Singapore brings me a feeling that no here else has. A homely feeling. I have my friends an family in Singapore not only that.All the clean air familiar places same language the food that I am accustomed to makes me feel that Singapore is unique. It is the best place to live in not china. I love Singapore
Through this I have also learn more about my classmates. Closing in on our relationship thus, I could better take care of my friends in the future . I also made friends in China. They reminded the importance of friendship. When I was at a lost of how to complete my drawing task my newly acquainted friend Sunzhen came and help me promptly. I am touched by his hospitalitywhen I was in his school and I wish to do that too when he comes to Singapore.
In a nutshell, I have an enriching experience in china and I will apply my knowledge to the society
Jeremy Koh Zi Yang 23
许子洋
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