My trip to New Zealand for army overseas training exercise was a once in a life time experience for me. Apart from the beautiful sceneries and the cooling climate, I discovered a distinct cultural difference. This interesting observation was made while I was working with the New Zealand Artillery army unit.
It was the final day of the firing evaluation exercise. We were attached to a group of New Zealand army comrades in the exchange programme. As it was lunch time, I had to collect rations for my fellow platoon mates before the start of the first firing. While I was queuing up at the ration collection point, I received a call from my senior commander that I had to send the ration back to the platoon (which was 20 km away) in 10 minutes. This was because they had to meet the firing time requirement in this important evaluation. Looking at the long and slow moving queue, I got impatient and frustrated. I then requested to ‘cut’ the queue by explaining to the people that I had an urgent timing to meet. Seeing that I was a foreigner, they gave me the priority and I was very thankful of them. After I left hurriedly, I then realized that the New Zealand boys would also have to meet the same firing timing since it was a bilateral firing exercise. I started to wonder, “At the rate they are going, how are they going to meet the timing?” In addition, I was surprised that they allowed me to move to the front of the queue when they were supposed to be in the rush too. Eventually, they were late in delivering the first firepower.
This incident allowed me to discover a different pace of life in another country. After talking to some of the New Zealand boys, I discovered that they are used to the slow pace of lifestyle that deadlines served no purpose unless there really was. At first, I thought that the New Zealand army was being inefficient but this laidback attitude can be seen in other aspects of their lives as well. Even during the peak hours, New Zealanders walk on the streets slowly. This is a stark difference compared to Singaporeans, who tend to rush to their destinations. Shops always closed at 6pm sharp when Singapore malls end their business in the late evening. To us Singaporeans, we lived in such a hectic lifestyle that we are forever rushing to meet deadlines. Another point is that if you were in Singapore, would people let you jump the queue if you tell them that you are rushing for time? I guess not. They might be rushing for time as well.
I believed why there is such a different cultural occurrence is because of the environment that they are living in. New Zealanders depend heavily on cow rearing for their national domestic output. Life will automatically become slow as they lived largely in a rural environment. It is surprising to note that the proportion of cows is higher than the number of people there. This clearly shows that cows are very important natural resource for the country. For us Singaporeans, we are regarded as an important resource in the country. To ensure survival, we need to depend on ourselves as we do not have any natural resources. This explains the rise of Singapore as a financial and trading urban centre. It is inevitable to rush as time is a crucial factor in the business world.
After noticing such a way of life in New Zealand, I finally understand why some Singaporeans migrate to New Zealand during their retirement days. It is place of tranquility and beauty where it gives a break to the hectic lifestyle of Singaporeans.
