03 Aug 2009 Chicago, United States of America
Category: Western culture
Today in the morning we walked to the bakery to buy bread. Suddenly, while we were in the bakery, it started raining very much. Home was not very far but we did not want to get fully wet. It was raining so much that we decided to wait a bit. We knew however that we could not wait too long because we had an appointment at ten which was in half an hour.
While we were waiting a woman parked her big car in front of the bakery and came in to buy bread. I said to Ramona and Shayna ‘Maybe I can ask her to give us a lift. She could just drop us on the way.’ When she came towards the door where we were waiting for the rain to stop, I simply asked her ‘Excuse me, could you please give us a lift and just drop us?’ She immediately replied ‘Oh no, I am going in the other direction.’ And then we saw that she left in the same direction that we had to take. It was approximately 500 meters.
Shayna was a bit disappointed from this refusal and Ramona said ‘It is normal, she doesn’t have to give us a ride. Especially in this society and western culture in which we grow up, we are taught that you should be careful with strangers.’ I replied yes, but there was no reason for being careful, there were two women with me and we were waiting for the rain to stop. And if that was in India, I am quite sure that I would get a ride, because I have had this kind of experience several times.
I meet many people, fully strangers, and got accommodation, food, a ride and had very good experiences like this. I said ‘It is okay, I am not disappointed, and I will also not leave my nature. If some other time this situation will come, I am very open and friendly and I like to share and also like it if somebody else shares with me.’ And of course I understand people grow up here with learning that you should not trust. That is why there is no reason to be disappointed for me. People have their nature and their way, maybe that means that they don’t trust. But I do trust and this is part of my nature, that is why I will do this again and give my message of love, trust and sharing.
We had a beautiful Darshan in the evening.
Tags:: Western culture, Trust, Disappointment , Sharing, Attitude, Experience, India
5 Comments
Posted By Swami Balendu
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This is so true. It's one of the first things that children learn in western countries: Never talk to a stranger, it might be dangerous. Could this possibly be the reason for xenophobia and a strong patriotism in some countries? Just imagine what would happen, if parents would teach their children to be open-minded and friendly to everyone?
Reply By Mirela on August 18, 2012 04:35
I would have given you a lift swami Ji! Well, maybe not if I lived in NYC, but let me know if you need a ride any time!
Reply By Georgie on January 19, 2011 04:42
You know it is against the law in some states to pick up people in your car who you don't know. Against the law! This isn't because America is crazy though, it's because it's actually dangerous and it happens to be a common method for criminals to find a way to hurt people. I'm really sorry you had a bad experience.
Reply By Harry on January 19, 2011 03:52
People in the usa always compare themselves with others. too much comparing. then everyone thinks, "oh, i am ugly because i do not look like that." people here need to learn that a rose is not a cherry tree is not a lily. but they all have their own beauty. it can't be appreciated by comparison. the bad eating is an addiction to cover the ... See Moreemptiness--the low level of spirituality. there are many addictions because of this. after 9-11, there was a tremendous fear seeping into everything, everywhere. this was obvious to all. but all of our trust in others went away too. there is much less trust after 9-11. even in families and friendships. we can heal this in small ways everyday. build your trust back up, americans. thank you for coming here to raise the spirituality of americans. it is nice that you will raise the material level of the poor in india. this is good balance. please come back again! peace and love and joy to you!
Reply By Karey Mcglynn on July 23, 2010 01:32
Today was the last day of the school year 11/12. The children got their report cards, the olde...
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