Reinen
Well-Known Member
It's not in poor taste to discuss cultural difference to foster understanding.This entire thread is in poor taste.
Chalk it up to cultural differences, and leave it at that. Do we want to talk about other demographics who like skinny tires on deep dish rims?
Specific to Asian folks not waving back:
I was a foreign exchange student who ended up studying in Japan.
One cultural nuance - The Japanese do not believe in maintaining eye contact. Looking at someone for more than a few seconds can be considered rude, possibly hostile.
In contrast, we Americans maintain eye contact to establish trust and confidence. āLook at me when Iām speaking to you!ā How many times have we heard our parents and teachers say that? āLook me in the eye.ā Does that sound familiar?
Itās fascinating that something as fundamental as body language can be so different across cultures.
So, itās not hard to imagine Koreans not waving to folks they donāt know. I know for a fact that certain Inuits will refuse to greet strangers, as they consider that a bad omen.
Granted, this was many many moons ago, and weāre in a globalized society. But this āyouāre in America now, be Americanā mindset really needs to go.
You're absolutely correct about the other cultures. But I don't understand what's so wrong about "You're in America now, be American".
Are you saying I should go to Japan and look everyone squarely in the eye?
Should I go to Korea and wave at everyone?
Should I seek out and greet every Inuit I can find?
No, that's rude there. That should not be done. The local culture should be respected. So what's wrong about asking for the exact same thing in return? Yes, America benefits from the influence of other cultures but why should American culture completely buckle to every other culture within America? America is allowed to have it's own culture.
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