Curry is something that can be seen quite commonly on the dining tables of many families in Singapore. Although it comes in different variations, it is a dish that is well liked by many. This particular Chinese family who came from mainland China could not stand the pungent aroma of curry and had requested their Indian neighbours to not cook curry. The Indian family has already closed their doors when they are cooking curry but the Chinese family has took one step further and requested them to only cook it when the Chinese family is not around. This has violated the Indian family’s right of enjoying this home-cooked delicacy. This incident turned the country sour on immigrants.
Eventually, after some mediation, the Indian neighbours came to an agreement to only cook curry when their Chinese neighbours are not at home. The Indian neighbours were aware of their Chinese neighbours' comfort zone and were understanding and cooperative about it. The Chinese neighbours eventually understood that curry is an Indian delicacy and is common in every of their meals. Although many netizens have feedback that this solution is unfair to the Indian neighbour, we should be thankful that these neighbours are respecting each other now. Intercultural understanding and showing empathy is very important in such a context. This incident could have been very hostile and escalated into a fight if not handled well.
Hey, Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteActually I don't think it is really a culture thing. Even in China during cooking time the smell is everywhere, and not all of them are nice. Some people in my hometown love dried fish. It is a kind of small and infamous fish that is dried. As you can imagine, when cooked, the fish will spread a strange kind of foul smell, pretty much like the Fermented Beancurd we have in Singapore. Last time during my sec school time in China, the auntie stayed below my floor always cooked that type of fish. And my mother often joked "here comes the fish auntie again" whenever there was the typical smell. But we didn't really complain that to anyone. She is an widowed auntie and we really pity her that her children did not take care of her. And she has probably passed away now.
So even in China most people have learned to tolerate other people's habits. Of course if you bring a durian onto a bus everyone will chase you away But in this case it is just the ignorance and arrogance of the Chinese family that come into play. If they don't like the smell, try to eat more curry and get used to it. That is how I get used to curry when I first came and now I really enjoy it.
Cheers,
ChiCheng
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ReplyDeleteHey Cass,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post you have there! I remember coming across this incident in the news too. It was really quite a big issue.
I agree with you that the Chinese are being really demanding and ridiculous by requesting that the Indians cook curry only when they are not at home. I feel that this is something equivalent to being restricted on what you can do EVEN in the premises of their own home. Where would be the Indian family's freedom then? Fortunately, the Indian family was really understanding about it and did not feel offended. The Chinese on the other hand was being too selfish - thinking only for the benefits of themselves and not others. Should they find the smell too pungent, they could always shut the windows and turn on the aircon instead of complaining about the Indians. This action of theirs would undoubtedly portray them in a negative light, or even worse still, lead to the generalization of Chinese being unreasonable and demanding. They did not put themselves in the perspectives of the Indians during the burning of incense papers and joss sticks by the Chinese on the lunar seventh month (which I believe contributes to an even more pungent smell as compared to curry).
To sum it up, their behaviour is certainly unacceptable and the very fact that 'No one owes you a living' should be drummed deeply into their heads to wake them up from their childish and insensitive mindset. The fundamental respect and understanding of each culture's practices and beliefs should already be there when they are living in a multiracial and multi-religious society in Singapore.
Cheers,
Rachel