Geylang
vs
Geisha
OHHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT A TOPIC TO CHOOSE! You might be thinking ... what's the difference? They are both prostitutes and therefore they are low context ...... BUT geisha's have to SHUT UP around their customers whereas the Geylang prostitutes NEVER shut up!
Geisha
"I think I want a smoke." says the customer.
"I think I want a smoke." says the customer.
Then the geisha will light his cigar withought even saying a word.
Geisha's are very silent when at work.
The way they act and entertain is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than their words.
Therefore, they are high context.
Geylang Prostitute
"I think I want a smoke." says the customer.
"I think I want a smoke." says the customer.
"YA ... ME TOO. LIGHT FOR ME, CAN?" says the prostitute
Geylang prostitutes are more outspoken with their thoughts and they are more loud.
They think they are sexier when they speak.
They are NOT ambiguous at all ... in appearance and in their communication.
Therefore, they are low context.
So! Agree? Disagree? Inputs? Outputs? LOL
comment laaaaaaa
thanks ppl
love u
iDa
Hi Ida, well well..we are discussing about prostitues from 2 different cultural and back grounds. I would like to point out that I don't think it's suitable for us to compare between geylang and geisha, as the first is a place in singapore, and the latter is a occupational term in japan. I would like to applaud your accurate observation for both sides. The fact that the geisha probably emphasises non-verbal communication through kinesics and haptics,is because they come from a country whereby in most history, women has been regarded as the weaker sex, and have very little autonomy and opportunity to view their opinions. I am somewhat sceptical if there are anymore geishas around now, however, I do know that the table has turned, and women have a bigger role to play. And Japan has evolved into one of the biggest player in the porn industry, which somehow I think hiliarious to a certain sense.
ReplyDeleteAnd in singapore, where we practice equality among the sexes. Women have no problem in voicing out their comments or showing their displeasure, which explains our locally breed prostitues. Nevertheless, there have been cases now that within couples, the men are often being abused by the women. so so , let's think abt it....
i agree very strongly with kelvin there that the cultural differences are like 500 miles apart and some may differ in subtle aspects, some in more obvious ones.
ReplyDeletei feel sorry to say this when i say kelvin's comment is more engaging than your post. haha.
of course without your post, we wouldn't have kelvin's comment.
causality comes into play.
kelvin. the absence of women in japan's politics is a strong sign that women are still the weaker sex. though not entirely, but i guess that's the image they send out. i seem to recall the environmental minister being a female but she left for panasonic if i'm not mistaken.
besides the point, but if we were to even include gender differences when talking about high and low context cultures, it would even extend the scope and would be like a debate article.
Just wanted to point out that real Geisha are NOT prostitutes, but professional entertainers through dance, music, engaging in conversations with the client etc, somewhat like a modern cabaret hostess to put it crudely, but more refined. It is a common misinterpretation due to the inaccurate widespread portrayal of them as prostitutes in western culture.
ReplyDeleteIn modern times, there are even brothel houses where prostitutes dress up similar to Geisha to service the misinformed people who visit Japan looking to have sex with a real Geisha, only to have their belief ripped to shreds.
First of all I had never thought that I would get so much knowledge on prostitutes. thanks to your blog Ida!:D
ReplyDeleteOk the previous comments are quite confusing as some have pointed out the Geisha are not prostitutes. Anyway, the bottomline is that women have to suffer and sacrifice always to earn a living for them. The lives of prostitutes is so mechanical and lifeless ,and the government is doing nothing to help them. Even till date women are treated as a piece of tissue -"Use and Throw" which is a disgrace to the society. I really hate the male species at times due to this. But all can't be blalmed. I hope that in the days to come the pervert people change their mindsets(which is impossible).
Childish people. If you don't know things that well, don't judge. No wonder in school I see you I just don't feel like talking to you; at any time.
ReplyDeletethere are different classes of prostitutes. some may consider escorts as prositutes too and they command a higher pay. it seems to be that there are many different areas in singapore that prostitution occurs. some work behind the scenes while some prowl along sreets. guess that's the difference in not only culture, but also social factors and personality.
ReplyDeletethis is one area that is seldom talked about, but its rampant in our very own backyard. these people are viewed to be a disgrace by others. so badly that their parents disown them upon discovering what they have been doing. its something that is still frown upon at in singapore. however, it is gradually being accepted as people are getting more education and awareness that they are afterall, humans too.
Hmm... Geisha's are probably more sophisticated, I wouldn't exactly consider them on the same level as prostitutes, but rather, if you've watched this documentary, there is this young girl who came from the country and was inspired by the Geisha on television, inspired she went all the way to Tokyo to undergo a serious training towards being a Geisha and it is no easy task. In Japan, Geisha's are highly respected, and when there is a new one in the district the press, and people all around pay very High respect to them. (:
ReplyDeleteCulture wise, the girls at gaylang aren't even close to the league that these Geisha's hold. And who are we to judge even them, we do not know their background, yet these people who judge them go in search of these girls for companionship. It might be a hard topic to link the two together, but maybe it's because in this context, we do not fully understand in depth what exactly Geisha's are and so hard to make a comparison.
The lives of prostitutes is so mechanical and lifeless ,and the government is doing nothing to help them.
ReplyDeleteIt is a common misinterpretation due to the inaccurate widespread portrayal of them as prostitutes in western culture.
ReplyDelete