[OT] Cultural differences (was Re: Defining Pet Features and Essentials)

[J. Landman Gay]

Ender,

I marked this as OT because we've gone off-track, but this is 
fascinating to me and I'm glad your reply was still in my inbox.

> Whereas “pig” is condescending, “ox” means dumb, “dog” is pretty insulting.

"Pig" here means dirty, sloppy, unclean, even though pigs are naturally 
very clean animals. "This place is a pig sty" means your house is a 
mess. Ox means dumb, same as you. A dog is just a dog, except for female 
dogs which are bitches. "Bitch" here is a so commonly used for a 
querrelous woman (or a man's property) that I've met people who don't 
know it actually refers to dogs.

> In fact, I love dogs as animals; they’re cute, loyal, fun, smart.
> But as a swear, it’s rough.

Another thing westerners are puzzled by is the insult about shoes. To us 
they are just apparel. I do understand that shoes pick up street dirt 
and are unclean, so it makes sense I guess. But if you threw a shoe at 
me, I'd be offended by the gesture but not by the item you chose to do 
it with.

> I should have thought about the nuances between cultures.
> That was clearly my mistake.

Don't feel too bad, we all do it. We are products of our culture, which 
is taught to us before we can even think about it. Americans are 
typically thought of as rude and after visiting the UK, I see why. We 
are perceived as brash and self-centered. One example is that we 
typically don't use "please" as often as they do in the UK, because in 
America that would be perceived as constant pleading, and perhaps a sign 
of insecurity. In the UK it is simply a polite way of speaking. When I 
was visiting, I tried to remember to say "please" more often than usual, 
just to fit in. I probably failed.

> Another important thing about this issue is being over-touchy /
> short-tempered of Middle Eastern people.

I suspect that part is more human than cultural. I know a lot of people 
here that behave that way too, and there are areas of the U.S. where 
criticising their culture or patriotism enrages them. I think it goes 
back to our tribal roots. The community is the bedrock of our identity, 
and insulting it also insults us personally by association.

I almost decided to major in cultural anthropology in college, the field 
is so fascinating to me. Humans are a diverse breed, and yet we have far 
more in common with each other than we have differences.

And I am glad this conversation occurred, because it makes us all more 
aware. One thing is a disadvantage to you though: your English is so 
good that it is easy to forget you live so far away. :)

-- 
Jacqueline Landman Gay         |     jacque at hyperactivesw.com
HyperActive Software           |     http://www.hyperactivesw.com