| Blogs > Sunflower569 > Dancing with Daffodils |
|
Are Westerners More Selfish? I had a small party with several friends for celebrating St. Patrick's Day and one of my friends' birthday. When I got up to get some drink, one German said that I could speak English pretty well, but I did not know Western culture well. I was confused about what he said. Seeing the confusion on my face, he explained that Westerners are more selfish than Easterners are. I became all the more puzzled. Understanding I had such a slow mind, he said, "Western culture is a kind of game. See there are nine chairs for ten people; if you get up without taking care of your chair, you will find no place to sit. It is a kind of game." I turned around: it was true a guy took my seat. When I understood, I said, "It was you who said Westerners are selfish. Is that true?" All the other people (most of them are Westerners) laughed, presenting no answer. Are Westerners more selfish? 
|
|||
|
Don't get ALL westerners lumped together. There are worlds of differences between English, French, German etc etc AND a world of difference between west and east. But the good thing is that these differences can be bridged. The 'gentleman' in the room would have offered you his chair without question. He also would not have been offended if you did not take it. All men are NOT gentlemen. I try. I think some people are selfish - from all cultures. TG
| ||
3/18/2006 1:01 am |
Rinpoche, you made an interesting story! TG, I think some people are selfish - from all cultures. Yes, this is something I agree. I like it. Among those foreign freinds, there is a guy who is not selfish. I have never thought that he will be selfish. In fact, most of the time he thinks about others first. If someone breaks the glass, he is always the first one to clean the chair; if a guy smokes by his side, and there is no place to place that ashtray, he will hold that ashtray for him (elder one); if there is no more chairs, he is always one who stands up for the other people to take the seat. I "love" this guy, so the day when we met on the campus back from our vacation, I just could not resist the temptation of giving him a warm sweet hug in the middle of the road when so many students and staff were flowing along the road.  He is only twenty five, a boy! Selfhood, it is only a problem of individuals!
| ||
3/18/2006 1:32 am |
You were being teased among friends, Sunflower. Don't take a general comment as truth.
| ||
3/18/2006 11:51 pm |
Thanks, DC!
| ||
|
Sunflower, Forget abt sefishness, everyone is selfish. Your new pic is beautiful, you are shinning in golden light.
| ||
3/22/2006 3:38 am |
Swallow, Thanks! The picture was taken last night when I went back from the gym finding my shining face waiting to be recorded! I did it.
| ||
4/7/2006 12:12 am |
Westerners more selfish? Give me a break, you are talking about chairs. I offered a woman from China everything I had on a silver platter, Yep. She took it all, and her new citizenship, and ran like hell. Selfish? you probably invented the word. Chairs????give me a break!!!!!
|
