One of the things that may shape ones worldview is their experiences with travel. I know plenty of people who haven't ventured out of the U.S. Even a few who haven't left the Carolinas. But I also know plenty of people who have traveled to other places around the world.
With my own personal experience, my worldview is different from someone who has spent much of their life in one area. Been born in Hong Kong, raised in North Carolina, and gone to back to Hong Kong (via South Korea the first time), Toronto, Israel, and mainland China, I have seen so many things, gathers so many information about society and how people interact and communicate. As the observant person that I am, finding nuances in cultural is always been entertaining for me. What do people wear? What phraseology are they using within this area of the world? What is a fad of their society? It seems very trivial in some ways but you never understand it until you have been somewhere else. You suddenly feel out of place sometimes.
Like many times I go to Hong Kong, something about their conversation and verbiage always change. In other words, learning the slang and vernacular of the current year I'm there. I can usually gather some of these subtle differences but sometimes I do have to ask, "What are you saying? What does it mean?" Or clothing has always been a dead giveaway to the Hong Kongers that I am American. I never was that self aware of myself that clothing became a big issue. I'm like, goodness, I am clothes... Leave me alone.
Likewise, it's always fun to explain to my cousins some of the most current American slang. Yes, try to explain "swagger" to a non-English speaker.
What's even more fascinating to me is observing someone from another country experience American culture. The previous company I worked for had Germany based products and also the current company I work is a German-based company. I always have fun talking to the Germans when they come over for business. Their view of America is that everything here is cheap, we are always finding our identity (since we're a melting pot), and we are somewhat more carefree than the Germans, especially in the engineering work environment. Or when family from Asia comes to visit, their experience of buying things is funny to watch. "I can return this? Wow!" And "man, you have to drive to so many different places? we just take the bus." And "This is a pretty big house" (compare to the flats in Hong Kong).
But regardless of these things, the one thing I really learn, in all my traveling around the United States and the world, is that there is always nice people. I must have an ability to point them out in any crowd. Maybe it's a God-given gift, because of these nice people, people will be able to help if you are in need. Beyond cultures and fads and languages, there is a universal practice of smiling and being nice. I know this is not everybody's experiences (and sorry if you have had a bad experience overseas - Don't eat seafood) but my own personal experience has always been positive overall and my opinions about a country, believe it or not, is the experiences of people I have met.
5 comments:
Agreed, Josey. And, many of the stereotypes that we, as Americans are given growing up, are shattered if you observe them. For example, the people of Russia are not always walking about dour-faced and sad, they are quite normal and most giving. It is very uplifting when you take the time to notice.
http://www.busfanworld.org/english/
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303370904579295240715591578
Hello, Josey. These anti-robot things are hard to read for an old like humanoid like me.
I have lived in a number of US states and four countries, and I found decent folk and crappy folk everywhere. I suppose it's the human condition.
Anonymous, that is very funny. :) I love those double decker buses in Hong Kong. :)
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