Different Cultures, Different Perspectives

Different Cultures, Different Perspectives

I have been watching a show on Netflix lately - it’s a sitcom about a different culture than mine.  I find it fascinating to watch how our culture and how we are raised impacts the perspective that we see the world from.

For example, this particular culture values respect and especially respect of elders. Of course, it’s a sitcom so they take this to concept way too far!  It makes for some pretty funny material. But this respect factor is so interesting. And while I know every culture has down sides, I often feel that our North American culture lacks respect.  We lack respect to each other in the broadest sense. We can’t even give someone the courtesy of merging into our lane of traffic when they are attempting to do so responsibly. Instead we speed up so they can’t get in and then flip them the bird when they cut in anyway.

And that lack of respect extends far beyond our driving. We don’t even smile or say hello to someone if we walk by them on the street. It can make for a sad and lonely planet when we are surrounded by people who won’t even acknowledge each other.  And then when we do acknowledge each other, it so often is to put them down so that we can make ourselves feel better.

I wish we knew how to respect each other better.  I feel like it would help to create a culture where we all cared a little more about our fellow neighbours.  Not to say I wish I lived in a different culture, but watching this show has given me a different perspective on respect in our North American culture.