Well, let's talk about Iraq!

The situation in Iraq is a great way to demonstrate the importance on being interculturally adept! It isn't just knowing the language that matters. Although that would help! It is understanding the cultural interplay. The differences between Iraqi exiles and residents for example. Understanding Islam from their points of view and respecting that. And, understanding the internal cultural relationships that go beyond religious sects.

Of course there are no foreigners where I live who are in favor of the War in Iraq. And having just traveled to Uzbekistan, Kazahkstan and China, nobody there was for it either. I did get to talk to some wonderful contract personnel who are assigned to Afghanistan. I was really impressed by them. And it made me proud to be an American just by associating with them.

They were blue collar workers from different parts of the south, mostly builders of some sort or another. I was careful not to ask too many questions about what they did but I can tell you that they admire the Afghans a lot. They were amazed by the precision of the craftsmen who help build whatever they build. All, they said, by sight and a plumb line.

This was the first time they were out of the US. They were amazed at the poor conditions of the people and it made them really appreciate the life we lead in the US. Americans need to see how the rest of the world lives, they said, then we wouldn't complain so much! They saw that American's consumption of goods was not always a good thing as well.

One man said that being out here has changed him deeply about what is important. Before he went abroad he put his mother's home on sale. But then he saw how important homes are in the “greater middle east.” How people live in the same home for generation after generation. He went back on R&R and took down the sale sign. He realized that memories mean something and are more important.

His wife thought he was crazy of course. But he got her to read, on the Internet, about the culture and history of the peoples in this area and she began to see his side of it.

Another man has spent a lot of time with Croatians who are Muslims and was so deeply touched by their friendships that he said he would gladly die for them.

This Iraq thing may have a silver lining in it. It may be that so many wonderful Americans will experience, for the first time, life as it is really lived by our Muslim brothers and sisters. That might help raise the consciousness of Americans as brothers and sisters in a global community. And Muslims seeing how really great Americans can be will also be really helpful.

So these guys are certainly interculturally adept. Being real Americans – observant, friendly, open, clear-eyed, thinking out of the box – these are great American attributes. You don't need specialized training, you really need marshal what is already inside each and everyone of us.
Dialogue Skills Question: Interconnecting our realities

“Quantum physics explains that we are all interconnected at a quantum level of reality. Life is one whole, although it is difficult for us to perceive it as such. Reality is also constantly in motion around us, even though it may seem to be relatively solid and stable form our limited sense-dependent perspective.

Something like dialogue is a way for us to begin to get in touch with all of the many ways we are interconnected and are part of one shared reality. (Dialogue 41)”

A good way to look at the situation of Iraq don't you think?

Outreach Question: How do you start?

Our wonderful OMS colleagues here in Ashgabat decided they really wanted to get to know their counterparts in the different embassies here in Ashgabat. So they invited everyone to a lunch at a Turkmen style restaurant. Twenty people came and we had interpreters available in Russian and Turkmen.

It was very successful. The next one they plan to have will be in smaller, like-minded groups. Americans and Europeans. Or Americans and Central Asians.

What a wonderful idea! Now there is great American thinking!

Etiquette question: How NOT to behave in someone's home

My next post is Tel Aviv. I can remember vividly however, of a major faux pas of mine the last time I was there. It was 1970 and I was a volunteer at a kibbutz near the Sea of Galilee. I ride horses and was able get work with the cattle crew. The cattle crew consisted of Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs. We got invited to the chief Arab's home for a dinner. I was the only woman invited.

I entered the home and sat with the men while the women served us. Everything was fine until I decided I had had enough to eat and motioned not to put any more on my plate. Well that was the wrong thing to do of course. Arab custom says you don't have to eat it but you can't refuse it! I had just insulted the host! There was quite a scene. Fortunately my Israeli Jews told them something like “she's just a dumb foreigner who didn't know better” and I apologized a lot.

I learned a lot from that. I am always careful now to inquire about the etiquette customs in a new culture!

Good Idea:

I am sure many of you already know about it but I have just discovered the Tales of a Small Planet website. I think it is great. Lots of real information and impressions about the post you are go, real people you can talk with. Check it out! It is creative and timely. I think it can really help us.