Sandani Wijetunga works for the Bank of China Colombo branch. Her colleagues are more familiar with her Chinese name ‘Suyani’ and are deeply impressed by her sweet smile.
Undoubtedly, Suyani is talented in language learning and has mastered Chinese Mandarin well. Not only speaking Chinese, she can also type and reply fluently when she communicates in WeChat, a popular online chatting app for Chinese people.
Suyani loves music, writing and foreign language learning. She has been studying Chinese since 2010 and won a scholarship from the Confucius Institute for her excellent performance. She had the opportunity to go to Guangxi University in China to study Chinese for one year, and also explored the beautiful scenery of Southwest China.
When she was an undergraduate, this gifted student won a full scholarship again and studied at Beijing Language and Culture University, for three years.
Beijing Language and Culture University has many international students from all over the world, like a multicultural “mini United Nations”. Suyani has deep feelings for this life period: “I was fortunate to have lived in China for a few years when I was a student. I not only made friends with Chinese people, but also met international students from all over the world.” Campus life was rich and colourful, she was able to join extracurricular activity clubs like street dancing, choir and language clubs, exploring the fields she loves in the collision of different cultures.
In 2017, she participated in the singing competition at Beijing Language and Culture University, and her Chinese classmates even wrote her an article Suyani: comes from the ‘Land of Smiles’ Sri Lanka.
“It is as enthusiastic as the summer island sunshine, and as subtle as the gentle waves. You may haven’t had a chance to go to Sri Lanka to experience the scenery of South Asia, but you can come and enjoy her music. The singing is as mysterious and charming as her far hometown”
Suyani said that in her daily life, she had the opportunities to appreciate both Chinese culture and cultures of many other countries. Under the influence of her overseas study life, she takes a more open attitude towards new things.”Having an open mind is the best gift I have received during my life in China. It makes me a better person.”
Chinese Noon-Nap culture…
After graduating from university, she submitted her resume to the Bank of China. “I got the chance to apply for Bank of China Colombo through the advice of a Friend, and finally got the job successfully. I was able to join Bank of China Colombo to provide my service as an Employee.”
“Two months after graduating, I was able to join the Bank of China Colombo branch. This is her first experience of working in a foreign banking institution. Therefore, she experienced cultural shocks in two dimensions: her foreign colleagues, being professional bankers at the same time. “I think the working atmosphere is extremely professional but at the same time, very close. We are like a family.”
Suyani works in the administrative department, so she mainly deals with internal employees but not clients. “In contact with my colleagues, I also felt cultural differences. I noticed certain aspects of Chinese culture that are relatively new to the locals.”
The noon time nap culture in Chinese/East Asian leaves a deep impression on Suyani. In Sri Lankan, people who take a noon time nap are mainly elderly or children, so when she first noticed this cultural difference, she was very surprised.
Walking into any Chinese company after lunch one is very likely to see the employees leaned back on a chair with eyes closed to rest. Chinese students are also accustomed to set aside some rest time before the start of the afternoon class. Chinese and East Asian people believe noon naps reduce stress and improve memory and mental health.
This is also related to the belief of Yin and Yang, a nap can restore the balance of Yin and yang in the body.These nap times are exactly when the sun’s rays are at its hottest, therefore, Chinese and East Asian people believes it is fitting to take a break, to restore the body’s balance – Ying and Yang. According to traditional Chinese medication, it helps to keep harmony within the human body.
Although Sri Lankans do not take a noon nap, Suyani thinks it is important to respect both cultures.” Mutual understanding and respect is of key importance”.
Hard work
Suyani was also deeply impressed by the diligence of Chinese people. “The other difference in work culture is that I noticed the diligence of my colleagues. Hard working seems to be the nature of Chinese people. Once they start a certain job, they will work hard no matter day or night until it is fully completed. I appreciate this but at the same time I can imagine that it is not easy.”
Sri Lanka’s culture is more leisurely and there are more holidays. Many local restaurants only open for three meals.Chinese restaurants are basically open from morning to night until closing-no break in between. Suyani said: “My work and experience have taught me to respect and adapt to different cultures.”
