Culture Clash

I meet so many people here who are quick to slam Americans because we don’t know our geography. For instance, when I told some people that I was going to South Africa to do missions, a few people asked me “What country?” (revealing that they didn’t know that South Africa was a country, not just a region).

I tell them it’s true, many Americans are ignorant when it comes to countries outside of North America. For instance, many assume that Brazilians speak Spanish because they are in South America (assuming they know that Brazil is in South America) or don’t realize that countries like Antigua, Guinea-Bissau and U.A.E. even exist (let alone where they are).

However, I’ve gotten the blank stare from people in South Africa when I say my family is from the West Indies (usually followed by “where is that?” or “is that in Africa” or “but you don’t look Indian”) and I even had someone recently ask me if Somalia (which is struggling with a severe food shortage at the moment) was in the States (um … huh?).

So, when people start slamming my country and my people, I don’t get patriotic and slam them, I simply remind them that most people tend to focus on their area and reality … and point out that those of us who enjoy travel and cultures have a broader scope of interest. Just because we can find Djibouti, Kazakhstan, Cyprus or Nagaland on a map doesn’t make us more intelligent or less ignorant. We still don’t know everything.

Also, I was having a fun conversation with someone at church last night and he was imitating an American accent. Makes me laugh so hard!!! Then he said something about "nekked" ... I couldn't contain myself. What in the world?!?! I had a flashback to rednecks in Tennessee talking about going skinny-dipping. Lord ... have ... mercy!