Comments on: On cultural differences and racism. http://kallewoof.com/2006/03/08/on-cultural-differences-and-racism/ privacy, democracy, and software Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:28:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kalle http://kallewoof.com/2006/03/08/on-cultural-differences-and-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Kalle Thu, 09 Mar 2006 12:42:31 +0000 http://kallewoof.com/?p=28#comment-236 Basically what I'm getting at is the fact that there is a subtle form of cultural "code" in every society, that semi-requires you to be born in that society in order to fully understand it. Living in a society for a long time sometimes means you "learn it", where people around you most likely go "He's just like a Swede." (or whatever country/culture it's about) That I am surprised this is the case even for a country like America, where diversity is almost the trademark, and also surprised that it is something in my own country, which I haven't noticed myself before. Basically what I’m getting at is the fact that there is a subtle form of cultural “code” in every society, that semi-requires you to be born in that society in order to fully understand it. Living in a society for a long time sometimes means you “learn it”, where people around you most likely go “He’s just like a Swede.” (or whatever country/culture it’s about)
That I am surprised this is the case even for a country like America, where diversity is almost the trademark, and also surprised that it is something in my own country, which I haven’t noticed myself before.

]]> By: Nicole http://kallewoof.com/2006/03/08/on-cultural-differences-and-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-235 Nicole Wed, 08 Mar 2006 22:54:37 +0000 http://kallewoof.com/?p=28#comment-235 Interesting article Kalle. I think that there are always going to be cultural differences between those from different places. That said, I also think that people can (and do from many examples I've seen) choose to use cultural differences as a crutch to be rude and/or to make someone else feel lesser/unknowledgeable and them the ones who can 'educate' you condescendingly about whatever it is. On the other hand, there are those who morph entirely to a culture, or keep their cultural aspects but can deal with people in a non-offensive way. However... all that said about what you talk about in most of the post, and going back to the beginning of it... a phrase comes to mind that we have down here: "I get what you're saying, but not what you're getting at." (If that makes any sense.) Interesting article Kalle. I think that there are always going to be cultural differences between those from different places. That said, I also think that people can (and do from many examples I’ve seen) choose to use cultural differences as a crutch to be rude and/or to make someone else feel lesser/unknowledgeable and them the ones who can ‘educate’ you condescendingly about whatever it is. On the other hand, there are those who morph entirely to a culture, or keep their cultural aspects but can deal with people in a non-offensive way.

However… all that said about what you talk about in most of the post, and going back to the beginning of it… a phrase comes to mind that we have down here: “I get what you’re saying, but not what you’re getting at.” (If that makes any sense.)

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