BIODATA

My name is Valerie Wong Hui Ping. I completed my secondary education at Jurongville Secondary (JVSS) and my college education at Jurong Junior College (JJC). I am currently a year 3 undergraduate majoring in Chemistry at National University of Singapore (NUS).

I enjoy learning about chemistry. I feel that science is interesting and relevant to life, particularly chemistry as it is involved in every aspect of our daily life. I find it fascinating to know what the chemicals used in daily life – the ingredients listed behind shampoo bottles no longer need to be a mystery!

In my college days, I was a member in the Track and Field team, competing in long distance. Through my CCA, I learn about endurance, perseverance and self – discipline. I believe that it is important for an individual to have strong self – discipline in order to succeed in any aspect of life. In addition, my CCA gave me the opportunity to learn the importance of team work and how to work harmoniously with my team members.

I enjoy traveling and learning about the culture of other's. As different cultures live, work and play differently; I find it interesting to view life from the lenses of another culture’s perspective. I believe that much can be learnt from the people of different cultures; and traveling helps us to acquire a global outlook on life.

Is it time for some “Netiquette?”

Recently I was listening to the radio and one of the radio programs was on the difficulties of online communication. The radio deejay felt that negotiating real world communication is tricky enough let alone having to handle virtual communication such as online chatting and social websites, for example, Facebook.

This led me to ponder about online communication and the problems that arise from it. In this day and age, it is almost quite impossible to avoid online communication. Online communication is becoming more prevalent – emails, online forums, blogs, Facebook, YouTube, MSN, SecondLife are just but a few modes of online communication that youths today engage in.

I feel that the online world is impersonal – we are unable to see the other party’s facial expression, body language or hear their tone of voice. Words and a few emo – icons are all we have to rely on in the sphere of online communication. As it is impersonal or as some would put it “faceless”, it becomes all too easy for people interacting online to forget that they are communicating with a real human who has feelings and not just to a computer screen. Hence most people tend to behave in a way that they would never act in real life. This is akin to some people behind the wheel of a car do: They speed and cut dangerously into the paths of others, swear and make obscene gestures and generally behave like a menace.

On the Internet, people tend to get more irrational easily and fail to practice self – regulation. Some behave horribly rude and offensive. This is often seen in harsh and unbelievably rude comments posted in net forums, for example, STOMP. In addition, some do not think twice in engaging in flame wars against those that they dislike or sending a. They think that a lower standard of morals or personal behavior is acceptable in cyberspace; nobody knows who you are anyway.

In addition as online communication lacks visual cues; it is easy to misinterpret the meaning of messages that are written. Many a times innocent comments posted online are mistaken for sarcasm / criticism when the writer’s real intention might be far from that. He / She might be joking or having difficulties conveying his / her opinions across. This often leads to misunderstandings and may actually affect real world relationship, for example, falling out with a colleague over email exchanges.

What do you guys think, is online communication trickier then real world? Are the standards of behavior online different from that in real life?

The Land of a Million Smiles

The Land of a Million Smiles

While visiting my father in Bangkok, we went to a traditional Thai restaurant to dine. The restaurant was fairly crowded and at the table next to ours was a Caucasian couple.

Halfway through our meal, we witness a commotion brewing between both couple and restaurant’s manager. There was a disagreement over the cost of the bill. The couple insisted that they were unfairly over charged. They pointed out to the manager that they did not place orders on three of the dishes and could not understand why they were still being billed for it.

However the manager, being inept at English, could not comprehend the couple. As the disagreement dragged on, the couple got increasingly frustrated. Their voices started to grow louder and the Caucasian guy began jabbing his fingers on the table agitatedly; drawing the attention of other diners present.

To my utmost surprise, the restaurant manager started smiling and laughing politely to the couple. There could not be a less appropriate reaction from the manager; and this served to further exasperate the couple. It was clear that the couple felt belittled that they were not taken seriously. Feeling insulted, they paid the bill and stormed out of the restaurant in a huff.

It was only when my father explained why that I realized the good intentions of the restaurant manager.

In Thailand, shouting and shows of annoyance are cultural taboos. Most Thaïs live by the principle “Jai Yen Yen” – meaning a cool heart and anger is considered an anathema to most, if not all situations. The Thais believe that shouting and displays of annoyances are signs of a lack of self – discipline and good moral upbringing. Hence it is a norm for a Thai caught in such a situation to help “save face” by smiling. Therefore the manager in an attempt to help the couple “save face” in the crowded restaurant naturally started smiling and laughing politely to defuse the situation.

This aspect of Thai’s culture is certainly unique and different from Singapore – you would never find a right – minded restaurant manager reacting in such a manner to a complaint would you?