I being my innocent self at work this afternoon and my American Muslim friend texted me saying how her hubby (from Syria) took her car before she woke up and decided to drive the beater to Tampa Bay with a friend to buy veggies or something (cheap apparently). The car IS a beater and proved itself on the interstate and broke down. Well, lo and behold, what a suprise-the men had "a friend" who owned a tow truck and of course was not busy and of course knew how to fix it. :)
It got me thinking-what if my car broke on the interstate, who would I have to help me? My hubby is worthless. He has no car. I would have to call an expensive towing company and start negotiations myself and it would cost me dearly. I should have AAA. I know. Anyhow, it got me thinking that the way we think,what we value and how our society operates is MUCH different than how countries in the Arab speaking world operate. For that matter, Central and South Asia tend to be similar in this regard. When in trouble, people from those regions *always* seem to *know someone* to help them and to be rescued. This is a positive practical aspect to having a community centered outlook vs. a individualistic outlook. Our society is all about me me me me. My hubby's friend called the other night. Long story but his van blew a tire-ok, the donut tire blew. My hubby took the car to take him home. That's all he could do practically due to finances but what if he did not have my hubby?
What are some of the other good things about a community centered outlook? Well, if someone has food, it is a pretty sure bet they will share it among the group as it will be shared back if needed.
Some of the negatives (at least to the Western perspective) revolve around individual desires and wants such as the choice of not having children or getting married (is not a "choice" in many parts of the world). The career choice may not be a choice after all--what the parents want takes priority.
Can anyone share some things about this often perplexing topic...
anthrogeek10
5 comments:
Good post sis. My hubby even told me if he and I got divorced, no one in the community would help me because I am not Arabic. That is true, as when he was arrested by immigration, the only one who came by to see me was you and Melissa, my American Muslim friend you met at the mosque that night.
Another thought...if my husband ever needs ANYTHING...money, borrowing a car/truck, I mean anything...he can have it within 15 minutes. Amazing.
He did not have to rub it in. Your husband is a jerk sometimes. Anyhows...lol Do you think that type of social structure is BETTER than ours or worse?
I think there are benny's to it for sure. That said, there seems to be alot of people to "grease" so that in the future, one would have help when needed.
anthrogeek10
Well, I think it is better. My husband told me that in Syria, even if people don't know you, they will bend over backwards to help you. For example, if your husband died, and you needed $, they will give you $, or food, or anything you need. That is rare in the United States, as many people, myself included, don't even know most of my neighbors.
That's true but what about the reality of NOT having certain choices? We expect for choices to be there for us in the West.
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