Of Hats and Pastas... Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

Last year, I went to California in the US of A. The people are very friendly and welcoming, which is a very pleasant experience unlike here in Singapore where we normally do not speak to strangers.

Once, we ate at this Italian restaurant in Santa Monica. (By the way, there are lots of Italian restaurants in the US, Americans love them!) It was nothing fancy, comparable to a Pizza Hut outlet here. I was wearing a cap that day, and as soon as we sat down, this waitress said politely, “Would you like to remove your hat sir, please?”

I obliged even though I was a bit puzzled at this request. Furthermore, my hair was messed up after wearing the cap! My girlfriend laughed at this and our American friend explained that it is considered rude not to remove hats indoors. Removing hats indoors is considered gentlemanly, good manners and part of proper hat etiquette which also includes tipping off your hat when passing by a lady or talking to her. Women can keep their hats on as it is usually cumbersome to remove them as they may be fastened to their hair. The waitress smiled as my friend finished.

I was amazed and realized I do know about this from TV but I never considered that my cap is just another form of hat and thus the same rules apply. However, I am glad that the waitress was very understanding and informed me nicely about it instead of reprimanding me. It was an enlightening experience and I will definitely remove my hat indoors next time!

Critique my (Business Letter) critique…

09 Oct 2007

MOHAMED REZA BIN MOHD NASIR
BLK XXX #XX-XX
WOODLANDS DRIVE XX
SINGAPORE 730XXX

Dear MS MOHAMED REZA BIN MOHD NASIR,

PROPOSAL : XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thank you for your life insurance application. We are now processing your application and coverage will commence after the proposal has been accepted.

If you have already paid a premium deposit, the life assured will be covered against death by accident up to the basic sum assured, subject to a maximum of $XXX,XXX.XX from today until the acceptance, rejection or withdrawal of the proposal. This is an interim cover against death by accidents, pending the issue of the policy.

In the meantime, please go through the particulars we have created on our computer record and let us know if any of the details are incorrect.

If you have any enquiries, please contact our Customer Service at telephone 6XXXXXXX or email xxx@income.com.sg.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

(signature)

Tan XXX XXXX
Chief Executive Officer

____________________________________

My Critique…

A glaring error in this letter is the wrong salutation used because I am definitely not a Miss! The subject heading is also not clear although I think that it was meant to be “PROPOSAL: XXXXXXXXX”. A better heading would be “Application for Insurance Proposal: XXXXXXXX” with the words underlined or in bold.

The opening sentence is courteous and informs the reader what the letter is about. However, the writer should at least give a time frame when the proposal will be accepted. As for the main body itself, the information is clear but I feel that the company should check whether I had already paid the premium or not instead of using “If …”

Other than that, the letter is fine as the tone is appropriate and the relevant information has been stated concretely and concisely. The sentence structure and organization of paragraphs makes the letter coherent and cohesive. There is also no error in the language used.

Lastly, the writer suggested the actions to be taken and provided the appropriate contact information and ends off with a thank you. This letter seems to be a template but I feel that the writer should at least make some changes to improve it.