(sub)Culture shock
No two cultures are the same right? Correct, no matter how similar they may be they ALWAYS have some differences. Take for example north Americans, a standard greeting among us is an open extended hand that is to be grasped by the one being greeted (aka. A Handshake). Now this same greeting, an open hand, shown to someone of a different culture can mean something completely different. Take for example people of the orthodoxy, this open hand would be to them the probable equivalent to being flipped the "bird". Harmless to us, offensive to them.
Every group of people is it's own subculture, every single person in the world belongs to their very own unique series of subcultures that no other person can completely belong to. No two people were brought up the exact smae way, no two have had all the same life experinces, and no two have the exact same values. What's this mean? Misinterpretations, misrepresentation of thoughts, and well...people just plain don't understand everything someone else has to say.
Lets say someone said something they viewed as a harmless comment. To them, they've done nothing they can percieve as wrong. Now the person that this comment is directed to, has a different background, they interpret this comment in a slightly different manner. This slight misinterpretation can cause the other to not understand (as with "inside jokes), or being VERY offended (the greek othodox priest that began yelling at us).
This is why i question when i don't understand. Because no matter what, no one can perfectly understand the way another thinks. Understanding is the first step to empathy, and empathy leads to less conflict. So next time you're offended by something said to you or even if you think the way someone thinks is stupid, take a step back and try to look at it from another angle. Ask the person to explain so as to better understand. And if someone questions you, don't be quick to anger or judgement, perhaps they're just trying to understand you and not just question you out of spite. If people were more understanding and patient...well, we'd just be better off.
-Matt
Every group of people is it's own subculture, every single person in the world belongs to their very own unique series of subcultures that no other person can completely belong to. No two people were brought up the exact smae way, no two have had all the same life experinces, and no two have the exact same values. What's this mean? Misinterpretations, misrepresentation of thoughts, and well...people just plain don't understand everything someone else has to say.
Lets say someone said something they viewed as a harmless comment. To them, they've done nothing they can percieve as wrong. Now the person that this comment is directed to, has a different background, they interpret this comment in a slightly different manner. This slight misinterpretation can cause the other to not understand (as with "inside jokes), or being VERY offended (the greek othodox priest that began yelling at us).
This is why i question when i don't understand. Because no matter what, no one can perfectly understand the way another thinks. Understanding is the first step to empathy, and empathy leads to less conflict. So next time you're offended by something said to you or even if you think the way someone thinks is stupid, take a step back and try to look at it from another angle. Ask the person to explain so as to better understand. And if someone questions you, don't be quick to anger or judgement, perhaps they're just trying to understand you and not just question you out of spite. If people were more understanding and patient...well, we'd just be better off.
-Matt
posted by Happy Death at 9:46 p.m.
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