Are We Really That Different?

So I guess when people travel to different parts of the world they anticipate and concentrate on the differences that are going to be apparent between their home country and wherever they are going. travelers worry that thier destination will not have the kind of bagles they like, the kind of television shows they enjoy, or the Starbucks coffee they need (this is not the case as Starbucks has taken over the world). When the traveler actually arrives the old fears are hightened when they realise these new people don't look the same, don't speak the same language, and don't follow some of the same customs. They acquire a certain "us" and "them" mentality. It's true that traveling can lead to culture shock and become a bit overwhelming, but when you take the time to sit and talk to and listen to and see "them" you begin to wonder are we really that different?

Since my arrival in Kolkata I have begun to notice and taken mental notes of all the similarities and differences that I have noticed in an attempt to answer my own question. Here is what I have come up with:

Similarities:
1) When the cat's away the mice will play: Like any group of teenagers, the girls at the Loreto Day School take full advantage of the fact that Sr. Cyril is away for the week to watch all the trashy music videos they are forbidden to watch normally. That is certainly similar to all the tomfoolery I got into when my parents were out and about.

2) Everyone is able to recognise how hot Kolkata is: It came as quite a relief when the women at the school expressed how difficult it was to sleep at night because of the heat. I didn't want to be the only one complaining about the heat...this place is on fire!

3) Need for other people: I don't quite know how to explain this one--Like everywhere else people have a need to be heard, to be seen, to be touched. Like any other child, the girl's at the school want to feel loved and appreciated.

Differences:
1) Stores allow you to take things on credit: In the past two days three different stores have given me the opportunity to essentially start a tab with them. After never having saw me, a man at the market said he took my word that I would be back to give him the money I owed. That would never happen at home.

2) People are more relaxed: There doesn't seem to be much of a hurry to get anywhere. Not to mention the fact that people are always "taking tea" I could easily have a cup of tea 10 times a day as each store I enter or person I meet offers me a cup. People want to sit and drink and talk.

I don't know...maybe we are all too different, maybe you have seen the overwhelming evidence that we can not possibly all exist together on the same planet. Maybe the children in LIttle Rock and Chicago want and need completely different things from the children elsewhere around the world but so far I haven't seen that. So I encourage you today, wherever you are to take the time to sit and talk to and listen to and see "them" and maybe you'll discover they really are a lot like "us"