Together Again

I am back.

Between an intense last week of teaching and packing for Barcelona, and being in Barcelona for a week-- I have been missing in action.

It was wonderful to see David.  More on that in a coming post.  He asked me to talk about how people are similar and different everywhere.  Below are some simple musings on this.

HOW PEOPLE ARE SIMILAR

1. They want a good life for themselves and their children.

2. They are attached to tradition whether it is religious, national or tribal.

3. Men and women view each other in a million and one ways both sexually and in terms of status.  But motherhood is revered in most cultures.

4.  Humor is universal.  Since my students speak in Arabic during their teamwork planning sessions, I must rely more on tone, gestures and laughter.  I just love when a group bursts out laughing-having no idea what it is about-but they are so connected!

5. People are generally willing to help but often are irritated when people do not understand or respect cultural habits or taboos.   For instance in the Barcelona market I was squeezing avocados to find a ripe one and the woman let me know it was her job to select a ripe avocado for me.  Or women from the West unintentionally reach out to shake a man's hand in Saudi Arabia and if he is a devout Muslim and has just cleansed to prepare for prayer--it is no no.  Luckily, I had been oriented to this custom. 

6.  Most are frustrated with the limitations or interference of established political parties-as we just saw in the United States.

7.  Some people pick up their dog poop and some do not. J