"Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind." -Lionel Hampton
Ms Sally has definitely touched our hearts not only through her teaching, but also her humbleness and sincerity. She has really helped us alot in many areas especially in letting us know the directions to get to a place. She would never hesitate to extend her help even if she was quite unsure about certain things. Any doubts or questions that we had, she would research on it and pass to us the information the next day. For that, I am really overwhelmed with gratitude for all the help that she has given. (:
On behalf of MDE, Xiang Yu presented her a small gift as a token of appreciation. (:
MDE group photo. (:
Well, today is the last lesson for IS. Time passes so quickly that we barely even realise it. =(=
The focus for today's lesson was actually on the Chinese Etiquette.
Usually when the Chinese are doing business or building any other form of relationship with others, there are four things that they will always practice. They are Mianzi (face), Guanxi (relationships between people), Keqi (humbleness and modesty) and "Do in Rome as Rome does".
The one that I find most interesting is..
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Mianzi
It actually represents the idea of shame and it is the worst thing for a Chinese to lose face. This means never to insult, embarass or demean a person as this would cause him to lose face. It also applies when trying to correct someone his mistake. Even in a class, students must never correct their teacher even when he makes a mistake or is unsure about certain thing. This is because teachers are usually more knowledgable than students and therefore, it would cause him to lose face if the students know more than he does.
The reason I pick this out is because I feel this is the one that differs us from them. In Singapore, we usually have the tendency to show others that we are better than someone else without considering much about their feelings. It could be in terms of studies, sports, fashion and simply anything in our daily lives. I realise that sometimes people do give hurtful remarks to one another which would cause him to lose face in front of others.
I think it is because all of us grow up in a very competitive environment in which our mindset is only wanting to be the best. However, everyone has their ups and downs in life. No one is perfect. What we can do is to look at our imperfections perfectly. (:
Here are some things that we also learnt about Gift Giving Etiquette.
1. Do not give scissors, knives or other cutting utensils as it indicates the severing of relationships
2. Do not give clocks as they are associated with funerals
3. Gifts may be refused three time before it is accepted
4. Always present gifts with two hands
And the Chinese believe that the gift is nothing much, but it is the thought that counts. (:
One of the Chinese philosophy in China is Taoism.
I find it interesting on how Taoism actually came about.
The story goes like this..
Once, a man named Zhuangzi dreamt that he was a butterfly and didn't know that he was Zhuangzi. Suddenly he woke up and there he was. However, he didn't know if he was Zhuangzi who dreamt he was a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming he was Zhuangzi.
Thus, this is actually known as the Transformation of Things.
Complicated?
YES. (:
Well, at least to me.
Hahaha.
I will definitely miss Ms Sally's lessons which are always so informative.
But most importantly, all of us have learnt something throughout these 3 weeks. (:
lessons of memories. (:
