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Lt · 08-23-2002, 06:05 PM

When in Rome...

I'm an immigrant myself. When I was in Greece I lived, as far as was reasonable for an outsider, according to local customs. Those customs I didn't like/agree with I respected as being part of my hosts' culture and accepted.

In the US I'm the same, though admittedly American social and moral values are very similar to the British.

One thing I don't do as an immigrant is go around demanding this right or that consideration because I'm different. It's wrong to expect special treatment in someone else's country. I'm happy just to be welcomed in someone else's country and shown a little common courtesy.

If you make a choice to live somewhere other than your country of birth, you should be prepared to adapt and not try to impose your own culture on your host. If you want to live by your own customs and culture, why the hell did you move away from your own country?

Does this make me a racist? I don't know, ask my Greek, African, Spanish or Asian friends. I've voiced the same opinions to them and they agree to most of it in principle.

To anyone who is thinking of emigrating: if you have a custom you would like to observe in your new home and it impinges on locally accepted practices ASK don't DEMAND. That way you will avoid breeding resentment towards yourself a those who might follow you.

Just my 0.02.

08-23-2002, 06:05 PM	#9
Lt Fresh Incumbent Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fla Posts: 28	When in Rome... I'm an immigrant myself. When I was in Greece I lived, as far as was reasonable for an outsider, according to local customs. Those customs I didn't like/agree with I respected as being part of my hosts' culture and accepted. In the US I'm the same, though admittedly American social and moral values are very similar to the British. One thing I don't do as an immigrant is go around demanding this right or that consideration because I'm different. It's wrong to expect special treatment in someone else's country. I'm happy just to be welcomed in someone else's country and shown a little common courtesy. If you make a choice to live somewhere other than your country of birth, you should be prepared to adapt and not try to impose your own culture on your host. If you want to live by your own customs and culture, why the hell did you move away from your own country? Does this make me a racist? I don't know, ask my Greek, African, Spanish or Asian friends. I've voiced the same opinions to them and they agree to most of it in principle. To anyone who is thinking of emigrating: if you have a custom you would like to observe in your new home and it impinges on locally accepted practices ASK don't DEMAND. That way you will avoid breeding resentment towards yourself a those who might follow you. Just my 0.02.