I have been brought being taught that westerners has no culture, no family values and it’s only india which has these deep rooted family values ethics and all.
No doubt our culture is one of greatest and diversified of them all … but don’t we show ostrich approach not learning about other cultures and not respecting them most of our lives? Don’t we loose something very big from life trying our best to stick to the place, sorroundings, religion, community where we got raised at?
A typical Indian would look down to an american when it comes down to culture. Now, ‘Being different’ and ‘Being bad’ are two different things. If westerners are different from us, it does not mean all of them live the madonna life – which is the image most indians carry for an american. (The image which Americans carry for us is not very good also – but that is a different issue.)
There are certain desi things that I dont like – like desi people bringing ‘indian lunch’ to US office because they think american food is shit.
When I think more deeply, I find it is not only about India and rest of the world. I saw at India also … we would not respect or be friends easily with somebody from other state / religion / community .. we’ll try our best to be, live, work, marry & die in our community.
Maybe it’s just the human tendency.
Everything has its pros and cons.
If we open ourself from above ‘Sankeern Maansikta’ , we’ll learn new things, we’ll see world from totally fresh perspective, we’ll find ourself a little ‘raised’. But we’ll loose manythings also which is equally dear to us.