I come from a family with parents who are firm believers in traditional Chinese core values which stress on education, filial piety, etiquette, shame and patience. Just like most Chinese, we tend to be very shy in expressing our love to each other, not to mention kissing and hugging in the public.
There was once, we travelled to the famous Batu Ferrighi Beach which is a popular destination in Pulau Pinang. Needless to say, the beach was flooded with tourists. I was so excited that I could not wait any longer to get myself changed into my swimsuits and plunge into the clear turquoise water. But wait a second, something caught my eyes just when I was about to go on my swimming spree. On the beach, lay a few naked bodies draping loosely in small towels. As I turned around my head, again I saw another couple hugging each other and kissing passionately. I was too shell-shocked to take my eyes off them. What was all this? At that young age, I had never seen people display such intimacy in the public. I somehow felt uncomfortable witnessing the whole scene for I was never taught that I could actually lie nakedly, kiss and hug in the public. Later when I asked my parents about it, they told me that they were foreigners who were sunbathing and it is natural for Westerners especially, to kiss and hug each other in the public. Then I threw another question at my parents, " Then why cant' we do that?". Thinking that I was too young to understand, they just told me that we were DIFFERENT from the Westerners and that DIFFERENCE does not allow us to do so. Okay, so we were different, but still, why?
As I grow older, I begin to understand that the difference that my parents referred to is the intercultural difference. It is common to see couples hugging and kissing each other in the Western countries but such an action can cause consternation and legal action in some Asian countries. Personally, I think that understanding and tolerance are the keys to intercultural difference. When visiting foreign countries or interacting with people from different backgrounds, it is best to understand their cultural differences beforehand to avoid misunderstanding or embarrassment arise. At the same time, we should bear in mind that intercultural difference is also difference in interpretation of gesture and behavior. For example, you won't want to hold your thumb upwards to your Islamic friend although you mean "everything is ok" because it is interpreted as a rude sexual sign in some Islamic countries. So, when you are in Rome, do as the Romans do!
