Differing Cultures

We are now in Titusville, Pennsylvania, a quaint little country town that can bring you back to the days of no Super Wal-Mart, small locally owned establishments, and a feeling of safety as you walk the streets.

As I walked last night through the part of town where we are staying, I felt so unbelievably safe; and I felt that no matter who walked past me, they were a friendly Pennsylvanian. In contrast, I would never feel safe walking in Beaumont at night especially where the "town" is (Wal-Mart, HEB, etc). I walk our dog at 10 PM but only by our house and a few other houses close by. My cell phone is in my hand, actually it is turned on, flipped open so people that might pass by can see the light from my phone.

The many cultures in our country have always amazed me. We all live in the same country, but there is such diversity in the people. The way they talk, the way they interact with visitors, the way they take pride in what they have (pride, in a good way), and many other distinct differences.

We ate dinner last night with my brother Dennis and his wife Elaine. They have Tiffany with them, my brother Doug's daughter. Tiffany is here to help with the photography for the wedding. A little bit of sarcasm had started at the table, and Elaine said that sarcasm is really a New Yorker trait. Everyone in New York is sarcastic. Look at Jay Leno, Letterman, etc. Their jokes are not jokes, they are knock downs on any person they can think of. Down South (although now there is such a northern influence in Texas) sarcasm was not taken very well. This downgrading, belittling act was seen as complete insult and rudeness. How interesting, though, to see how cultures can "move in" to other parts of the country and now we have what I learned in school as "the melting pot". New York was always known as the "melting pot" because of all the immigrants that came in through Ellis Island. Many different cultures from many different countries.

Even within our own families, there is diversity. Our family is spread out amongst this massive country. It is interesting that we all started out in New York, but now living in different parts of the country there are differences in cultures. We talk differently (we say they have an accent, they say we have an accent). They "tawk" and we "talk". Even with respect, up here you do not hear Yes sir and Yes Mam. It is considered rude and "snotty". If you are asked a question if you would do something for someone, the answer is usually "yea". Down South, Yes sir is heard all the time and shows respect to whomever one is talking to; and culture, color, religion does not make a difference.

I notice that even religion separates us from those who do not share our beliefs. Are we, the Mormons, from outerspace? Sometimes I feel treated that way as I am "alienated" from the goings on for these next few days. I don't think it is a condition of being loved less. Uncomfortable is probably more the word because some have believed what non-Mormons say about us not fully knowing the truth. Do we have to be Lutheran in order to be accepted? or Catholic, Mormon, Jewish? I am beginning to understand how others feel when they are not in their own cultural environment. There is a feeling of non-acceptance, misunderstanding, and sheer "I don't know how to treat you because you are different than I am". I have to admit I am just as guilty. I am more comfortable being around those who share my beliefs, who respect me for who I am and don't look upon me as being different than others. I is who I is, I am what I am; and I just want to be treated equally amongst all. To those of you from other cultures, other parts of this country, whoever you may be, I understand the feelings you have when you are not totally accepted or included in this world because of who you are. I have learned in order to survive, we have to be who we are, who we were meant to be, and not let others influence our differences.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, loved all men. To him the gospel was for all people, men and women, black and white, everybody. He treated all equally and loves equally. What a great lesson to be learned from the greatest example who ever lived on this earth.