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1) Imagine A World Without Violence
2) Looking Through The Eyes of Others
6) Japonica
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Japonica
The recent earthquake cum tsunami in Japan had me scrambling online to check whether my favorite idols are safe; I’m glad to see that most of them are safe.
Status celebrities & Jpop artistes
The influence of the Japanese culture can be found all over the world. Go on any forums related to Jdrama, Jpop or anime and one can find people of all nationalities. Spanish, Indonesians, Dutch, Chinese, Africans, etc.
The Japanese are successful in the globalisation of their mass media as they are able to establish a two-prong strategy.
Ø Strong domestic roots
Ø An international development strategy
Japan has a strong and impenetrable entertainment industry. When I first visited Japan, I was surprised to find next to none foreign films or movie aired on any of their channels.
Why is that so?
Ethnocentrism.
The belief that one’s culture is superior to all others.
In addition, Japan is a highly nationalistic country. Thus, unlike many other cultures, the Japanese culture remains relatively untouched by Western culture and values. These two values ensured that the Japanese media has strong roots in its domestic market.
The 3 main types of media that propelled Japanese media into international limelight were anime, Jdrama and manga, and behind those came Jpop and Jrock. Anime/manga such as Bleach and Naruto has garnered world-wide attention while bands such as Kat-tun, Utada Hikaru and Miyavi have captured the hearts of many. These helped Japan carve niche markets globally.
The development and adoption of new communication technologies (NCT) further boost demand for Japanese media. Statistics show that US is the biggest exporter of media products; however, with the rise of NCT, that is no longer true. These statistics do not take into account the amount of Japanese media shared and sold online.
With NCT, media products from Japan are readily available online at affordable costs. Many now turn to sites such as D-Addicts, OneManga and AnimeEA for their daily dose of Japanese media. People no longer have to wait for these media products to be released in their country. Especially for dramas, anime and manga, online consumers can turn to online citizen “subbers” instead of waiting for the official subs by the respective companies to be out. This is more efficient as the waiting time for the subbed version is cut down by more than half. Now, the gap time between the release of the un-subbed and subbed version of anime, manga and Jdrama is only ONE day.
Despite the popularity of Japanese media, the Japanese media industry now faces the threat of a different kind of tsunami: the Korean Wave. In recent years, there is a craze for all things Korean; the popularity of Korean media and culture can be said to be comparable to that of Japan. Jpop is countered with Kpop and Jdrama counteract with Kdrama. Will Korea’s media industry triumph over Japan’s? Only time will tell.
To kiss or not to kiss? ♥
Teenage Girl Sits on Boyfriend’s lap
Why did the sight of these youths behaving intimately cause such a stir in Stomper Zoe?
Asian culture (especially East Asian: Chinese, Japanese & Koreans), unlike Western culture (especially American culture), is very conservative. Hugging and kissing are definite no-no in public. Intimate behaviors are frowned upon in public. Showing too much flesh is also considered sinful behavior. It is deemed extremely inappropriate for a guy & girl, who are not married to each other, to engage in physical contact, much less behaving intimately in public.
Our perception of what is deemed appropriate stems from our culture. Asian parents have always instilled in their children, “programmed” their minds that such behaviors were immoral and sinful. Especially for girls, Asian parents have highlighted to them that such behaviors were only for whores.
Comments on “Girl Sits on Boyfriend’s Lap” article
However, this conservative culture of the Asians is slowly phasing out. The younger generations, who are exposed to the Western culture of Hollywood, are getting more open-minded about such behaviors. Traditional values of Asian culture, dictating where to draw the line between modest and immoral behaviors, are slowly being eroded; the line is re-drawn.
Lovey-dovey Couple at Bugis Junction
Comment by RafflesJC depicts where the younger generations draw the line between “whorish” behavior and what is deemed to be perfectly fine. RafflesJC felt that such abhorrence to public display of affection is “old-fashioned” and narrow-minded, calling on the older generation of Singaporeans to not “be so uptight” and be more open-minded. From the polls, it can be seen that the majority of Singaporeans share the same sentiments with RafflesJC. They now have liberal views towards such display of intimacy in public, with the majority choosing either “Shiok!” (good!) or “Bochup” (can’t be bothered).
Culture is innate but learned – Edward Halls
The older generation of Asians may have passed down their values to the younger generations, but it is up to the younger generation to learn them. With the mass media gaining in influence, the younger generations have been exposed to other cultures, beliefs and perceptions of other races and nationalities. They have started to incorporate the values and templates for living of other cultures into their own.
With almost every Hollywood movie depicting scenes of intimacy between couples, it is no wonder the younger generations have taken a more liberal stand on such issues.
Mass Kissing Event at Trafalgar Square, London.
Such festivals are very popular in Western countries, but were it to take place in Singapore, there would be much public outcry against it.
Why is there a stark difference in reactions towards such an event?
Why is public display of affection accepted as a norm in Western countries but not in Asian countries?
Culture
Asian culture tends to be high context in nature while Western culture is the direct opposites. High context cultures prefer to internalize emotions and frown upon explicit display of emotions. On the other hand, low context cultures favor more direct styles in expressing their emotions.
So what say you? Is PDA acceptable for you?
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Will UB My Valentine?
Over Valentines, two viral videos of two couples breaking up hit Youtube.
Both couples met with different relational challenges. Due to their failure to overcome these challenges, their relationships failed.
Girl A: Girlfriend
Girl B: 3rd party
In the first video, a girl caught her boyfriend cheating on her. She caught him on a date with another girl at a time where he had claimed to be at work. Among all relationship challenges, this is the “killer” challenge that will (majority of the time) immediately terminate a relationship. His actions had undermined the trust of Girl A. In such cases, it is hard for the person who was betrayed to regain feelings of trust for the betrayer again. From the video, it can be seen that the guy was averse to communicating with Girl A. Apart from saying “I don’t have to explain myself to you”, he refused to answer her subsequent questions and accusations, even avoiding eye-contact with her at some points. At that point, the guy was at Stage 9 of Knapp Model of relational development where channels of communication are sealed and he was clearly avoiding her. By turning his back to Girl A and walking off with Girl B, the guy is clearly using non-verbal communication to signal that that was the end of their relationship. This is Stage 10 where relationship ceased to exist.
In the second video, there is a heated argument between Ah Lian and Ah Beng. Ah Lian felt that Ah Beng always restricted her from shopping and never tried to understand her. Unlike the first case, the relational challenges here are caused by the differences between Ah Lian and Ah Beng. She loved shopping, but he kept curbing her love for shopping. She wanted him to understand her while he paid little attention to what she tried to make him understand. It was a case of communication failure. They are communicating but their messages did not get through to each other. Their relationship, too, ended at Stage 10.
However not all relationships are all doom and gloom. The past two videos only show-case Knapp Model of relational development: Coming Apart. “Coming Apart” is the 2nd portion of Knapp Model. The 1st portion illustrates the start of a relationship, thus, it is aptly named “Coming Together”.
Recently, a friend, A, confessed on BBM (Blackberry Messenger) to another friend, B, that she held a torch for a fellow OG mate of ours. However, she lacked the courage to disclose her feelings to the other party. This is one of the major problems in relational formation and development. It an obstacle everybody has to overcome for their relationship to take off. It deals with the subject of reciprocity.
Why do people lack the courage to disclose their feelings to others?
It is because they are afraid that their feelings are not reciprocated. People tend to form relationships with those who reciprocate their feelings, so as to minimize risk of getting hurt or embarrassed when those feelings are turned down. This was the case, too, for A. After some help from their OG, the two are now at Stage 2, where they are self disclosing their feelings (slowly but surely! ).
Shark Fin Ban
Slightly after Chinese New Year, Californian legislators introduced a bill to ban possession, sale and distribution of shark fins used in the traditional Chinese shark fin soup.
Over the years, many environmentalists and animal-lovers have protested against the sale and distribution of shark fins used in the popular Chinese delicacies. They cite many reasons for their cause; declining shark population due to high demand for shark fins and the “cruel” process of shark fin removal are the most popular two.
The most common and popular argument against shark fin soup pertains to the method in which shark fins are obtained. Fishermen will remove the shark’s fins before throwing it back into the ocean. After this practice was made known, animal-lovers cried for justice for the sharks and many, especially in the Western countries, protested against the sale of shark fin soup. While that may be true, what the Californians are practicing is a form of self-serving bias, “judging themselves more tolerantly than how they judge others by over-emphasizing the negative points of others and their own positive points” (Foundations of Communication, Unit 2, by Ms Hui Kam Lin). They over-emphasize their “do-good” action of banning possession, sale and distribution of shark fins in protest of animal cruelty yet they turn a blind eye to animal cruelty when it comes to their own Western delicacies, eg: foie gras.
“Foie gras (the liver of a duck or a goose that has been specially fattened) involves force-feeding birds more food than they would eat in the wild, and more than they would voluntarily eat domestically. The feed, usually corn boiled with fat (to facilitate ingestion), deposits large amounts of fat in the liver, thereby producing the buttery consistency sought by some gastronomes.” – Wikipedia.
One’s perception on whether it is “right” or “wrong” to consume shark fins is subjected to one’s own interpretation influenced by cultural differences and perceptual sets. To the Chinese, who are steeped in the cultural practice of shark fin soup consumption, they perceive no wrong-doings in consuming shark fin soup. This practice of consuming shark fin soup dates back to the Ming dynasty. Serving shark fin soup at weddings or important events is the host’s way of showing respect and honour to his or her guests. However, to Westerners, such as the Californians, who do not have shark fin soup as part of their culture, will perceive the slaughter of sharks for their fins as cruel.
As of now, there is no ban in effect in the state of California banning the possession, sale and distribution of foie gras.
In retaliation, California State Senator, Leland Yee, shows off some shark fin soup during a press conference at the Far East Café. Supporting his move are Huan Da Yu (a Chinese herbalist) and David Lu who concluded the above news conference by consuming shark fin soup. This is a form of non-verbal communication displayed by Yee, Huan and Lu to show their disapproval for the ban of possession, sale and distribution of shark fins.
Though I, a lover of shark fin soup, am against the ban, I feel that steps should be taken to protect the declining shark population caused by high demand for shark fin soup. In addition to the delicacy being delicious, shark fin soup is very much a part of Chinese traditions and the ban of shark fin soup is an erosion of the Chinese culture. Instead of protesting against the ban, the Chinese people and shark fin dealers should come up with solutions to quell the opposition’s arguments for the ban. For example, shark fin dealers can set up shark farms to cater to the demands for shark fin soup. This way, shark population in the wild will not be threatened.
So, what say you? Are you for or against the shark fin ban?
Looking Through The Eyes of Others
This article was recently featured in Seventeen magazine.
Seventeen Magazine (March 2011 Issue)
I was particularly attracted to the line “These celebs set the standard for amazing style in 2010″. For ages, the majority’s perception of beauty, of the “in things”, etc, have been heavily influenced by of the society we are in and the media, especially that of Hollywood.
Perception is “the process by which we make sense of the world around us”, it is “based on information we choose to select”. (COM 101, Unit 2 notes by Hui Kam Lin).
From the time of colonialism, Western culture has heavily influenced other cultures, changing people’s perception of what is deemed “normal”. For example, in the past, a Chinese man would propose to his lover with a gift of a whole roast pig. However, if he were to do the same now, he will most definitely be rejected with a slap. Now the standard gift for a marriage proposal is a ring, preferably a diamond ring.
Since when did this practice came into place?
This business of “proposing with a diamond ring” was made popular in the 1930s by De Beers Diamond Cartel. To increase diamond sales, De Beers launched the “Diamonds are Forever” marketing campaign. They made use of the mass media to change social preferences. Then advertising agency of De Beers Cartel, N.W. Ayer, managed to successfully influence Hollywood stars to wear accessories made out of diamonds instead of other precious stones or metals. One such successful case was the use of diamond in the movie “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. In the movie, Marilyn Monroe was filmed wearing beautiful diamonds while singing the movie’s hit song, “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”. These advertising campaigns sought to influence the public’s selection of proposal gift and they were exceedingly successful. The average man is now forking an estimate of his two month’s salary for a diamond ring. The advertising campaigns were so successful to the point that in this age, a man opening a tiny box with a diamond ring inside is a form of non-verbal communication for marriage proposal.
Another perception heavily influenced by Western culture, Hollywood, is our perception of beauty.
What is the standard for beauty?
Narrow waist, ample bosom, long and slim legs? Yes, that is the standard for beauty popularized by Western culture. Girls grow up longing to have the figure of those models shown on Victoria Secret Fashion Show’s catwalk.
Why is that so?
Majority of girls from Western culture grow up playing with Barbie dolls, thus they grow up associating Barbie’s figure as the standard for beauty. Have anyone seen a FAT Barbie? No, Barbie’s measurement translated to a real life woman would be an estimated at 36 inches (chest), 18 inches (waist) and 33 inches (hips) (Measurement taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie). Though slightly unrealistic, these measurements are definitely model material sought after by fashion designers and companies.
Picture by Barbie, Mattel, Inc.
However, having a Barbie-figure is not a standard for beauty everywhere. Pockets of societies around the world, untouched by Western culture, standards for beauty are very much different from what we, Westernized societies, know of.
One example would be the standards for beauty of the Mauritanian people of West Africa. In Mauritania, BIG IS BEAUTIFUL. Mauritania men are extremely turned on by thick arms, ample bottoms, rolling layers of fats and stretch marks (the more the merrier!) of women. Since young, girls are taught that if she wants to have a flock of suitors, she should eat more and grow fatter. Girls are force-fed by their parents when they reach marriageable age. Though some girls still go against their parents’ force-feeding regime, many have accepted it as a way of life. To them, it is a norm to be fat if one is female. Mauritanian women’s state of mind is affected by this tradition (their cultural background), their priority is to be big and their motive for that is to be desirable.
Force to be Fat by Abigail Haworth
If say, a label like Chanel wanted to set up bases in Mauritania, they have to consider the perception of beauty set by the Mauritanians. This means that Chanel have to cater more to plus size clothes and use large size models to promote their clothes. Mauritanians will view people of Kate Moss’ or Gisele Bundchen’s size, ugly and undesirable.
The environment that Mauritanians grew up in, their social network, their psychological state and individual characteristics influenced their selection of “Big is Beautiful” as their standard for beauty.
Perception is a tricky thing. The World is not how it really is but how we choose to view it. For one culture, some things are taboo, while to others, they are the norm. “One man’s poison is another man’s tea”. We are constantly bombarded by the media on a daily basis, trying their hardest to sway our perception to fit their agenda. How are we to differentiate our perception of the World; is it our own or influenced by external forces such as the media?
