I have not read this book (book by Duane Elmer) but a recent quote from it peaked my interest. It had to do with the call to not judge a culture's norm as wrong. Rather instead of deeming a custom or pattern as mistaken realizing it is just different.
What if I told you that moms and dads here in India hold their small children's hands tightly while letting their children walk on the traffic side. Little tiny three year olds out in the midst of wheels of all sizes and engines and fumes and danger. Seems so very wrong until you realize that on the inside are wild dogs sleeping but easy to wake if you misstep, sewage ditches that are easy to fall into, human waste from people using the side of the road as a place to go to the bathroom. Hmmmm. Maybe not so wrong to let your child walk on the traffic side, just different.
I am interested to read this book and glad for a reminder of how to be a student with a good attitude in a new culture.
What if I told you that moms and dads here in India hold their small children's hands tightly while letting their children walk on the traffic side. Little tiny three year olds out in the midst of wheels of all sizes and engines and fumes and danger. Seems so very wrong until you realize that on the inside are wild dogs sleeping but easy to wake if you misstep, sewage ditches that are easy to fall into, human waste from people using the side of the road as a place to go to the bathroom. Hmmmm. Maybe not so wrong to let your child walk on the traffic side, just different.
I am interested to read this book and glad for a reminder of how to be a student with a good attitude in a new culture.
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