This is an experience gained from living in a boarding school. I was in secondary 3 when I first went into a boarding school. I was so excited to embark on this new journey. I still remember exactly my room number was 3-206. It was a two-bedded room. After I was shown around, I went to my room for the first time. I entered the room with great anticipation, when my nose begged for a retreat. The room was very smelly. I was so shocked at the room condition that all my excitement was all gone. That night, my roommate came back. Luckily, he was a friendly person. He introduced himself as Sean. He was from Central Europe.
After I stayed with him for a week, I found out the reason why the room was so smelly. It was because my roommate only took a bath 3 times a week and washed clothes only after they were worn for three times, although he exercised often. The room got smellier by the day. Until one day, I could not stand it anymore. It had been disturbed by the smell for the whole day.
Finally, I gathered a courage and asked him why didn't he take a shower more frequently. The answer was "isn't three times a week frequent enough?" I was baffled by his answer. He went on explaining that at his home town he only took shower once a week. The weather there was so cold that you hardly sweat. Here he was so sweaty, so he had already washed up more often. Being from the warm and humid country like Singapore, I believe that we have to wash yourself up twice or even three times a day and we wash our cloth after we wear once. I told him that this is the norm here, otherwise, your smell wouldn't be desirable to other people. He was astounded by our social norm.
After my comments, his habit slowly changed. He showered more often than before and the smell subsided. It was an experience of cultural difference which could result in a conflict. However, when I voiced my concerns out, he graciously took my advice. I believe a person who is more familiar with a particular culture should help others to adapt. This, I believe, is how to bridge the inter-cultural differences.
