The Burmese Way
This is my second visit to Myanmar and my understanding of it is still less than superficial. I came in with a whole baggage of pre-conceived perceptions and views and after these few days here, I’m gradually changing my perspective of things. You will never know Myanmar by reading from travelogues or staying a few days in a cosy hotel. You have to stay and live with its people before you can claim to have truly understood the beauty and essence of its culture.
Myanmar may be a less developed country than Singapore, but its people are definitely more refined and cultured than ours! They show their elders a lot of reverence and accord the same degree of respect for their friends. They exchange light banter with one another in a proper manner with no frivolousness, impropriety or sudden outbreak of laughter. They are restrained in their speech, gentle and patient in the way they speak and always flash a classic warm smile.
This
simple sincerity and warmth is what I found most lacking in Singaporeans, myself
included. We do not like to communicate with one another. We prefer to talk and
demand attention of others while we ourselves seldom listen carefully to what
others have to say. We are unapologetic, brash and impulsive. This is the
problem with the world. There are too many people talking and few people
listening. Everybody thinks he is right and others are wrong. We should talk
less, think, listen and do more. Actions speak louder than words. People who
know what they are doing never bother to explain or argue.