Tag: culture
-
Perception
What is your perception of Saudi Arabia? (assuming you have never visited) I’m sure there are certain images or preconceived notions which naturally bubble to the forefront of your mind. Where did your perception come from? Media? Friends? Perception of a particular culture almost never turns out to true when one finally comes in contact…
-
Facebook Fatigue
I used to love Facebook. But as I’m sure you’ve noticed, its become toxic. Why can’t we be friends without discussing politics? Please, add as many cat memes as possible, but is it really the place to be discussing immigration policy? And yet, I find myself commenting on any number of threads. I cannot not…
-
Taleb’s “Intellectual Yet Idiot” Article
I just came across this article today. It’s terrific on many different levels, and I was happy to see that it can be re-published by anyone if it is in its entirety and specifically mentions that it’s an excerpt from the book “Skin in the Game.” Duly noted. This article, in a way, reminds me…
-
The Bored Generation
I’ve become quite bored with the bored generation. Okay, that’s not exactly true. But I do wonder what will become of all of these bored kids. Yes, they are bored. They tell me they’re bored. They get bored at all the wrong times in all the wrong ways. It’s like they need to be bored.…
-
Indian Wedding Reception
I thought I’d share a few photos from an Indian wedding reception I went to last night. The daughter of one of our school’s guards got married. It was an elaborate and lively event with an Egyptian theme, surprisingly. Oh, and of course, yummy Indian food. Here’s what it all looked like.
-
Twenty Years Can’t Shake the American Out of Me
I’ve in Asia for most of the last 20+ years. But an incident last week made me realize that I am still very much an American. It has to do with space. Not outer space. Personal space. I like it. Don’t encroach on me or I might act rudely. Here’s what happened: I was at…
-
My White Face Opens Doors
I was reading earlier in the week that several people have been pondering the meaning of the word “expat” and why the definition of expat seems to include only white westerners who are living in a foreign country, while everyone else would be referred to as immigrants. As an expat myself for much of the…
-
A Jaunt into Philosphy 3: Absolutism vs. Relativism
Here’s my third attempt at philosophy. This one on absolutism vs. relativism. Can it be determined that some actions are right and other actions wrong? Can one culture’s traditions be morally inferior to that of another? For example, a western person may look on in strange curiosity when a Vietnamese family gets together to celebrate…
-
What I Want to Do When I See an Asian Family in America
Just so the context is clear, I’m a tall white American. Picture that? Good. Now picture me strolling down a street or (as was the case of yesterday) walking down the concourse of a large Major League baseball stadium and seeing an Asian family, huddled around a small table, chowing down on some hot dogs…
-
2000-2015: Just one long homogeneous decade for me
I had a strange revelation the other day. I make no distinction whatsoever between the decade 2000-2009 and 2010-2015. To me all of the 2000s are just one long blur of continuation. Nothing much has really changed. The 90s are distinct. The 80s are really distinct and the 70s too. Those are the decades I…