So first up: celebrations. The Vietnamese way of celebrating things kind of clashes with my cultural upbringing and personal preferences. Celebrations tend to be loud, with loud music, flowery speech, and strange games. And they definitely wouldn't be complete without someone singing a song...or 2 or 3. If gifts are given, they're often, well, not exactly what I would pick out for myself, shall we say - involving squirrel key chains, or pink plush pig cell phone holders (I didn't know it was a cellphone holder until about 2 months after I received the gift), or glittery photo albums with a large teddy bear on the front, or a foot tall statue of a Vietnamese woman in traditional garb. You get the idea. Additionally, as far as interpersonal interaction goes during a celebration, you won't really find small clusters of conversation happening in groups of 2's, 3's, or 4's. The group stays a group and talks as a group - which sometimes involves yelling so you can be heard.
These characteristics pretty much hold true regardless of the size or location of the celebration. I've seen them played out on the "small" scale in my classrooms of 25. Imagine my surprise one day last Fall when I unsuspectingly walked into class to find it was Women's Day; the students had brought a gift, decorated the classroom, and prepared a song to sing, as well as games with small prizes for each girl. And of course, whenever they give a gift, they ask you to sing a song. I usually find a way to get out of the singing, hopefully fairly graciously, but I have ended up singing "You are my Sunshine" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb" several times this year.
What made me think of the topic of celebrations more this week was a much larger scale celebration. On Monday, the International Standards Program hosted its student-led good bye "prom." It involved 2 student emcees, complete with formal attire and costume changes half-way through, a fashion show showcasing class t-shirts, many songs and dances by students, and even a song/dance performance by many of the teachers. Of course the music is so loud you think you're going to go deaf and wish you'd remembered the ear plugs that you always tell yourself not to forget the next time you go to a similar event...and yet somehow always forget. And yet. I. Had. Fun.
Wait, what? Did that just come out of my mouth? Granted, I was in the audience the vast majority of the time - I only had to flood the stage once during the final song when my students literally came and pulled me up (along with many other teachers). But the night really got me thinking about some of the positive aspects of this cultural difference.
First of all, the Vietnamese really know how to have a good time! I mean, come on, think about Northwestern's graduation ceremony, compared with the one described above. They know how to stir things up and thoroughly enjoy themselves. More power to them!Secondly, something Sarah has pointed out in the past, there's a lot more humility or a lot less self-awareness here, at least when it comes to singing or performing in front of groups of people. I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps because they grow up with it being such a normal part of life. Perhaps because the individual isn't singled out as much. Perhaps there're other explanations. But many are willing to just jump in and have a good time...even on stage in front of 600 people when they can't hold a tune. You just don't see that in the U.S., and I admire their ability to do that.
Finally, I appreciate how they really take the time and energy to mark these occasions, these stepping stones in life. Much better to have an over-the-top celebration than to not celebrate enough! It really brings a sense of closure and commemorates the end of a year. Talk about going out with a bang!
I can't say these cultural practice are ones that I'll choose to take back with me to the states and implement in my own life. I'm sorry, but me and karaoke still just don't get along. But I'm beginning to see some of the possible reasons and good that come out of these cultural differences that were initially (and often continue to be) overwhelming.
