Cultures

I have always believed that culture is dynamic. It has evolved so much over the years that most of what we call culture really isnt culture. I have always believed myself to be open minded when it comes to people from different places, different cultures. And I think to a certain extent I am.

But there are certain things about myself that worry me. I am only 30 years old, but I am so old fashioned and so stuck in the past that it really does worry me. When I meet or see someone from another culture, I first look at the way they are dressed, what they eat, how they speak and how they do things. Then I become shocked and surprised if they do not act or behave as I think they should behave.

Let me try be more specific. I was raised up to believe that young women behaved in a certain way, dress a certain way and do not go to certain places. When I see young women behave in a way I think is culturally different, I am saddened, why I do not know as I have always believed that culture is something that changes accordingly. My little sisters behaviour shocks me as well at times, but I think I need to be a bit open minded. I need to let go of old traditions. I need to stop looking at people and thinking "That is not how a young lady from such a place should behave".

People are more than the places they are born at, the families they are born into. We are all different and we are all entitled to living our lives the way we want, the way we choose. Our choices may not be the best, they may not be right for us or the people around us, but they are our choices.

I hope I will be a bit more open minded going forward. No more of this judging people by their looks, cultures and what not. No more