I am clearly a white person, which means I get lots of stares in Singapore unless I'm in the central business district (where all the expats roam). On the bus in the morning, I'm usually the only white person; then on the train, I'm one of maybe two white people on that section of the train. The first few weeks that I lived here, this made me very uncomfortable. It was a challenge for me to overcome getting looked at all the time and to gain that confidence back of being comfortable in my own skin. I think it's a great lesson to learn what it feels like to be a minority. I feel that I have overcome that challenge and feel comfortable and confident with who I am now when I'm outside of the cbd. I laugh because I do the exact same thing whenever I see a white person outside of central Singapore. I look at them with amazement that there's another white person besides me.
Have you ever been in a situation or place where you were the minority? How did it make you feel?
Sounds like something a quick spray tan can fix. Nothing like a good orange glow to help you blend in.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting an actual tan. :) You are forgetting the facial features though ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, that's funny you should mention that. The job I started almost a year ago has been such a new experience for me cuz I'm the only white person 99 percent of the time. Not only my patients, but my co-workers. I forgot to mention my world at work is African American. I never realize there is such a cultural difference, but honestly there is. I do get alot of attention, but it's usually good attention. Overall though we just all have fun and find humor in our differences and learn from each other. I actually enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteOther than being noticed, do you feel you are treated differently?
Are you finding any differences with your patients there as opposed to in the states?