SI MONTHLY NEWS OCTOBER 2005 Comments
From SI Exco News
Other cultures, other ways
An interesting discussion evolved on Servasnet about different cultures and different ways. Some people with pre-conceived ideas were horrified when people from other cultures behaved in a different manner to themselves. They voiced their opinions on Servasnet, starting a discussion about how cultures around the world see activities in different lights. eg: long time ago in Kenya I would occasionally have a meal with an Indian family who were my colleagues at work. The son of the family was put out that I naturally ate with my left hand. After all he was left handed but had to eat with his right hand. The joking comment was 'Well she is European, so what else can you expect'. In discussion after the meal I learnt why eating with right hand was expected. After that I respected the ruling, although sometimes I teased the son by using my left hand. There are plenty of small points that may seem inconsequential to us but are major in another culture. It is important that we learn these and respect them. That is an aim of Servas.
Traveller's tales
Here are some things I've found in my travels:
For some people it's not OK (or it is OK) to:
Show them the soles of your feet
Wear your shoes in their house
Hand them things with your left hand (because that's the hand they wipe themselves with)
Take their photograph
Eat with your fingers/Not eat with your fingers
Burp at the table
Talk about religion and politics/Not talk about religion and politics.
Anyone have any stories about what you've learned from people from different cultures?
Dan Schoeffler
Turkish toilets-(applies to many countries)
An excerpt from a guide to using toilets in Turkey:
"Many toilet stalls may be furnished with toilet paper, but it's traditionally used not to wipe but to dry your bum and hand after the splashing.
"Some older plumbing is not able to deal with wads of soggy toilet paper and will jam and overflow if much toilet paper is flushed into it. A waste bin is placed near the toilet and users are asked to put used toilet paper into the bin instead. This is fine if the paper is used only for drying, but unsanitary if the paper is used for wiping.
"Those who use paper for wiping may want to dispose of the first paper in the toilet, and any later papers in the bin--a workable compromise."
Dan Schoeffler
and ...............
We never, ever wear 'outside' shoes in our home, and delight in educating the occasional traveller to walks in with street shoes. How silly it would be of us to expect them to know, or get upset if they don't.
There are many, many prohibited (and permitted) behaviours that are strange to us, but taken as givens where they are practiced. Observe, ask, and learn - it is all part of learning how to tolerate the diversity that enriches the world (or drives us apart - your choice).
Richard
In Greece, we are instructed to place used toilet paper in the bin and not down the toilet. Different countries/cultures have different assumptions.
I'm getting irritated at the rules and rigidity I'm reading on this thread. (from Servasnet)
I believe that Servas is about tolerance of and learning about other people and other cultures. I also believe that every visit, whether "correctly" carried out or not, is an opportunity for me to learn from someone else.
Let's share love and not rules.
Patricia Hughes
Children's viewpoints?
Greetings. I would appreciate your help getting these questions to young people under age 18, especially to teachers who might give them as a class assignment. I am collecting responses from children around the world, then will respond to their first question and report on their other viewpoints expressed in a book for kids.
1. If you could ask a question of the wisest person in the world, what would you ask her or him about something you would like to know?
2. What bugs you or bothers you in your daily life?
3. If there was one thing you could change about adults, what would it be?
4. If there was one thing you would change about yourself, what would it be? 5. What do you like to do for fun?
6. On a scale of 1 to 100, how highly would you grade your school? Why?
Anything else you would like to add?
What first name would you like used in the book to quote you? How old are you? Girl or boy?
What state/country do you live in?
Thanks very much.
Gayle Kimball, Ph.D., gkimball[at]csuchico.edu
Informal Support for Servas
I am a Servas host and traveller from Finland. I would like to invite all interested in disarmament, peace building, environmental matters etc. to the site http://www.care.com
I am owner of a group Mayors for Peace support group: http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/support_group_mayor s_for_peace which is not directly affiliated with Mayors for Peace http://www.mayorsforpeace.org
I co-host groups DEEP thought and Agenda Earth Rescue. We are starting in Mayors for Peace group informal support group of Servas not directly affiliated with Servas.
Care2 Connect is a global network of people and organizations making the world a better place. With over 5 million members it's a great way to learn about issues, organize support for your cause, keep in touch with old friends, and make new ones.
If you haven't already heard about Care2 Connect, it's an online social network that connects people with the causes they support and the people that support them.
Care2 Connect can help you:
- Support a good cause
- Connect with new and old friends
- Find local runners, birders, vegetarians etc
- Build your personal or organizational network
Please, let me know when you join Care2 and/or Mayors for Peace so we can connect. You are warmly welcome to join creating informal support group of Servas there.
Jouni Ylinen, Finland
inserted by Amelia
