Intercultural Experience

During the summer vacation, I went sightseeing in USA. I was staying with my friend in Arizona and we decided to drive up to Las Vegas during Independence Day. Hence, we rented a car through Enterprise's (a company that rent and sell cars) website and they had the Pick-Me-Up service. One of the things I envy the Americans is that almost all the company have websites. Thus, it is very convenient to do on-line shopping or to seek information. Another is good customer service. Under the Pick-Me-Up service, one of the staffs from Enterprise would fetch us from our residential area to their company to drive the rental car. Therefore, it saved us much trouble and it was free.

Immediately after we had identified the staff, she introduced herself by her first name, Doreen. Throughout the journey, she was very friendly and made the effort to address us by our first names. Also, she would keep up a conversation by asking about our trips and share experiences with us. Unfortunately, my friend and I were feeling rather guilty as we had forgotten about hers in less than a minute until we saw her name tag latter. Besides, it was not a cultural norm for me to have such causal conversation with people I meet for the first time. To me, it was more of a business setting but the Americans always make it like we are all friends.

Therefore, there was an awkward moment when we got off from the car, and she amicably asked me, “Why are you so quiet?”

I was taken back and only managed to return a polite smile. Unlike me, she was used to speaking with strangers and being direct. Therefore, she was concerned when I had not participate much to the conversation and, perhaps, afraid that I was left out. Americans tend to not wait to be introduced and will begin to speak with strangers as they stand in a queue, sit next to each other at an event. On the other hand, Singaporeans tend to avoid unnecessary conversation with strangers and even eye contact.

From this experience, I have learnt to let myself go and to be more direct with Americans. Although it was far from norm (relative to Singapore), I managed to be outgoing with the sales personels serving me, as though I had known them as friends. Interestingly, that led to more comfortable interactions.