We are a multi cultural society.  Our people consist of 3 main ethnic groups, with smaller groups.  We are strong because of our diversity.  Under different colors of skin, the same human blood flows in our blood vessels.  When we are tolerant of one another, we have peace and some prosperity.  When we begin to quarrel, we lose our peace, prosperity and all the time and effort to build up that peace.  From mobile.

In Japan, most people trust the others and behave themselves honestly and earnestly. The country lacks the diversity of races and is geographically separated from other countries, so that Japanese people are weak in breeding the multicultural society. However, we are learning to respect the multicultural society in the age of globalization. The move to the multicultural society, I want, should not produce mistrusting among people at the same time.

In the past, i.e., before the end of World War II, special lessons of virtues were obliged in schools by the militaristic Japanese government, and people were taught not only good virtues but also to highly respect Emperor and his ancestors and to die bravely for Emperor and the nation. After the end of the war, people learned how such education had been wrong. However, the present government led by Shinzo Abe wants to revive the old education system of virtues, and conscientious people, who put importance on the fostering of virtues in a natural, peaceful manner, are strongly against it.

But in the mytho-cultural life of the nation, Village is always already a sign for the urbanite’s dream of a community raised with sufficient homogeneity of culture and blood that warmth and deeply shared assumptions bind together its members. Though in reality bound together by established power and unofficial violence, Village functions as the place holder for the harmonization of social and gender differences. It is the sign for an ideally functioning caste society in which reciprocal responsibilities bind everyone in humanely conducted relations of caring and tending, a feudal utopia. It is the constellation of points that makes one map of South Asia, confusing the boundaries between nations, and among linguistic and other communities

http://www.cddc.vt.edu/mtm/Four.htm

There are several founding principles or common values in Indian culture, these include:

• Tyaga, -- which is renunciation

• Dana, -- which is liberal giving

• Nishtha, -- which is dedication

• Satya, -- which is truth

• Ahimsa, --  which is non-violence

• Upeksha, -- which is forbearance

http://www.livescience.com/28634-indian-culture.html

https://sites.google.com/site/welcometoindianculture/home/ethnicity/indian-values-and-beliefs

http://unipune.ac.in/snc/cssh/ipq/english/IPQ/26-30%20volumes/29-2&3/PDF/29-2&3-1.pdf

Agree with Prof. Kundu.

In India,  culture, customs and language changes every 100miles. Therefore,  I cannot say about the the complete nation. However,  in my native area - I see that hospitality and pluralism are the most beautiful cultural assets of the socity.  I want to change use of alcohol and drugs in my society. There are also some caste based brotherhoods that shouldn't be there. 

Dear José Eduardo,

I remember that in Colombia there were some very respectable and useful values. But the drugs traffic first and then the war, managed destroy all.

Now, the prime value is much money, easy money. People adore money, and venerate those who are wealthy. Without to have importance the form or manner used to its obtaining and accumulating. No one question. If you have money, you are the best value for society.

Corruption in all stratum and niches of the country, is disastrous.

What would change? The mindset of new generations formatted by the programming of Tv (where are promoted the bad and the worst values).

Something more..., I believe in the force and tenacity of colombian people. And I believe in a change very soon, a return to good values: honesty, tenacity, strongly, love, kindness, cooperation, like I remember yet.

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

Iraqi Society and Culture

The Iraqi population includes a number of ethnic groups, about 77% of whom are Arabs, 19% Kurds, and the rest a variety of different groups, including Turkomens, Assyrians, and Armenians. 

Hospitality

Hospitality is an Arab and Muslim tradition deeply engrained in the culture. Visitors are treated as kings and must always be fed and looked after. A tradition within Islam actually stipulates someone is allowed to stay in your home for 3 days before you can question why they are staying and when they will leave, Invitations to a home must be seen as a great honour and never turned down.

Family and Honour

Iraqis consider family and honour to be of paramount importance. The extended family or tribe is both a political and social force. Families hold their members responsible for their conduct, since any wrongdoing brings shame to the entire family. Loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships, even business.

It is common for large extended families to live in the same house, compound, or village. In urban areas, families do not necessarily live in the same house, although they generally live in the same street or suburb at least.

You can see the following links for further 

http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Iraq.html

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/iraq.html

Dear All,

First let me say about my birth country Ethiopia regarding this important issues. Ethiopia is a home for more than 80 different languages and cultures and enjoyed that mosaic and tapestry, with each culture appreciating and valuing the other and taking as its own and that understanding and way of living kept the society intact with love and affection for centuries.

But after the current ethnic minority groups capture political power some 25 years ago, they manipulated that differences to be used as a weapon to keep the society apart, create wedges between different cultures. The society today not only suspicious of other cultures but consider them as natural enemies to be dealt with continuously. They created sub regions for each ethnic type and declared that as  their own natural area which they can defend and kick others out with impunity. Students different ethnic groups fight each other in university campuses, people fight in common places, which are supposed to be one people of one country with a vision of a common destiny of prosperity and liberty.  This is a clear indication of a political structure that fails the society it pretends leading but factually destroying. 

The existence of different  cultures in a country is,  first  imperative and second, if taken properly, an asset and a tapestry of the society. It has to be cultivated carefully to mature and become a vital source of power and energy for growth and social development. If it is not handled carefully, or manipulated in the case of Ethiopia,  it will become more of a destructive force. Problems from such societies  happens when things are becoming scares, the economy is failing, only few people are benefiting more and more,  and citizens unable to make a living and thus start finding culprits for that problem with the first immediate  candidate to be people  of other cultures or others - finding false cause for a real problem. 

Politicians,  business people of wealth and other civic and learning organizations should play together to create a spirit of harmony and trust, valuing each other  and doing the best to promote and develop, showing benefits of togetherness and the empowering capacity it has to citizens and thereby to society. 

Dear @Jose, my country is multicultural in many senses : nationalities, religions, customs...! It is a fortune for a country such as Serbia. The nations and peoples living in Serbia are friendly hosts, good and hard working people who have survived at the crossroad of the world, in the Balkans!

Let me bring another fine thread which is related to this one.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_multiculturalism_for_you

Dear Prof. Stoica:

I think politeness is an expression of respect for others, which is one of the foundations of a harmonious and democratic society. It seems clear to me that Canada has such valuable cultural traits.

Dear Prof. Yeoh:

Malaysia is a fascinating multi cultural society and the progress the country has achieved is very admirable. Harmonize different ethnicities and cultures may certainly be a difficult task, but in this global era it is something that many countries that were once homogeneous are having to undertake.

Dear Prof. Tabata:

I agree with you that the promotion by the government of a single conception of the 'good life' is not a 'good idea'. That kind of policy aims to create a homogeneous society, which, as you say, is a conception of the nineteenth century.

Dear Prof. Sawicka:

The description you make of the people of your country has several similarities with the people of my own country. Due to massive immigration from Europe and the Middle East, Argentina was a multi cultural society in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Today, between 500,000 and 1 million Argentines are descendants of Poles.

My country has valued education for many years. Up to a few years ago, South Africans were sought after globally due to the quality of our education system. Sadly it changed the past few years, and I was shocked to read a late report that 55% of our students at our contact institutions for higher education drop out or fail to complete 2-4 year qualifications within 5 years! The statistics for our largest institution for open and distance learning, serving 500 000 students globally  is even more alarming since 78% of the students do not complete their qualifications. If taken into account that only 12% of our learners qualify for higher education, these statistics shows that our higher education institutions fail our students. Less than 6 out of 100 grade 1's will complete higher education at contact institutes and 2 out of 100 will complete their education at the largest institute. I believe higher education need to have a relook at the quality of their lecturing staff, the methods used, and the involvement of students during the learning process, since the quality of most of the qualifications are good - on paper.

India is very Diverse country. "Unity in diversity" --- i.e. 'Co-existence'' is very important tolerance value in India.

Dear Prof. Ivo Carneiro de Sousa:

Because of its peculiar history, Macau seems to be a very interesting community to learn about the ways of coexistence of diverse ethnicities and cultures. In particular, how all the various groups and cultural traditions come to develop and share a sense of ‘we’.

Dear Prof. Kundu, Prof. Bismal and Prof. Sharma:

It is said that India is one of the most multicultural societies in the world - and perhaps the most diverse of all –a feature that highlights Prof. Sharma. But the answers from all of you also tell that there are common values –‘unity in diversity’- and a profound reflection on them. Prof. Kundu: thanks for those valuable links.

Dear Prof. Molina Prieto:

Also in my country wealth is a supreme value. This seems unavoidable in societies that prioritize economic growth. The problem, of course, is what are the means to achieve economic success.

Dear Prof. Tahir:

Cross-national surveys show that trust in others –a rare trait worldwide- is very high in the Arab and Muslim societies. What you say about hospitality as a core cultural value teaches us something important .Thank you very much for the interesting links.

Good Summary! Dear  José Eduardo Jorge. Thanks!

"Every revolution eats its own children".Every war is genocide.There are spiritual and material realities.Desire for blood,money has not been customary for the ordinary human beings of Russia."Cannot serve the God and Mammon".I'm sure,financial difficulties of the commons won't  lead to changing of  their spiritual(traditional) values-mutual support,patience,disinterestedness,hard work,kindness,desire for peace,faith in universal love,love for family and neighbor.Protection of freedom,law,interests is the political,economic,and cultural union.Multinationality (cohesive unity) is our most important value.Every country should determine their own future peacefully and live in peace with the rest of the world.

Dear Prof. Lakew:

The accurate analysis you make of the recent history of Ethiopia is an example of how governments can appeal to social values with very different purposes. In any society and groups coexist different values --although some of them are predominant-- and, to some extent, political authorities and social leaders can activate one or the other values with desirable or undesirable results.  I think one of the roles of political (and civic) leadership is to guide people appealing to appropriate values, in order to achieve socially desirable goals. I am thinking, for example, in Mandela.

Dear Prof. Doko and Prof. Jacic:

I feel close to your countries, because many Argentines are descendants of Yugoslav immigrants. In my birthplace, a small city of 20,000 inhabitants in the middle of the Argentine Pampas, the last three mayors --including the present-- are members of the Yugoslav community of the city. Prof. Jacic: You've had a good idea linking the threads. Respect for cultural diversity is now the most important issue in the study of values.

Dear Prof. Van Staden:

Educational systems are under review or observation in many countries, as they need to adapt to a very rapid social change, including the changing relationship of children and youth with new technologies. I'm intrigued to know what might be the causes of the deterioration of the system you describe.

Dear Prof. Pechonkina:

I agree with your comment.  I would add that the pursuit of economic success without an ethic guiding that activity is likely to lead to economic failure of society.

Relationships & Communication --- India

-- Indians prefer to do business with those they know.

-- Relationships are built upon mutual trust and respect.

-- In general, Indians prefer to have long-standing personal relationships prior to doing business.

-- It may be a good idea to go through a third party introduction. This gives you immediate credibility.

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/india-country-profile.html

In Palestine (my country), the people are generally kind & helpful to each other and to a visiting foreigner (who usually gets VIP treatment & immense hospitality). Most people are good to their neighbors unless the neighbors contain aggressive persons since hostility is not tolerated, Many people are characterized by morals & good conduct and there is largely no place for indecent attitudes. The best, among my people, who keep remembering that they are in a holy land which requires from us to live up to its high value in the eyes of GOD.

I would point out the humanity of citizens of Serbia towards huge number of immigrants. 

Dear José Eduardo,

I believe that the highest quality of Brazil's optimism.

However, Brazil is the country's 'knack.' We are world renowned for 'take a knack for everything' and our trickery. The Brazilian potential for improvisation and creativity, central features just the way it is at the same time something we can feel pride and shame, for while the knack refers to a refined skill for creative problem solving, also refers to our ingenious ability to act corruptly for personal benefits creatively.

Best regards,

Andréa

Values and customs is to serve the young people, go with a deeper understanding and knowledge of the culture in order to provide the most informed culturally appropriate care in the future generations

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

"I always spend time exploring the customs and attitudes of the countries I'm using for locations, and interviewing the people who live there. I've visited over 90 countries thus far."

                          -----  Sidney Sheldon

See ...

Some everyday customs of Serbian people as described by Australians!

"• Serbian people often greet each other with a hand shake. The hand shake is important in the Serbian culture as it shows acknowledgement and respect for other people.

• Personal relationships such as friends and family as well as professional relationships...

• Eye contact is highly valued in the Serbian culture and avoiding eye contact is perceived as being rude and being uninterested in the person.

• Non-verbal communication including hand gestures and facial expressions are highly important in everyday conversations...

• Serbia is generally perceived as being a land of ‘warm hearted people’ where hospitality and catering to the guests is of central importance. Upon arrival to a Serbian host’s house guests are welcomed with great quantity of food and drinks and everything is done to make the person feel at home...."

Thanks a lot dear people of Australia!

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/agedcare/downloads/cui/serbian_culture42.pdf

A good cultural fest will leave you breathless. It is inspiring enough to make you simultaneously laugh and cry, educational enough to give you insight into yourself and others, and seductive enough to bring you back again and again to meet, greet and enjoy performances you may only see once a year at one of the best parties in town.

The origin of many customs can be funny. Here is a story; not sure whether it is true or not.

In a family in Kerala, long back, while doing Bali (a ite done for peace of for dead ancestors) it was noticed that the number of household cats were great and they were a nuisance (since a lot of food stuff is also made). So the Head of the house ordered that all cats be caught and kept under a reed basket till the whole thing is over. This was continued year by year. Decades passed like this and there came a time when there were no cats and nuisance. But by that time the it had become a custom to get a cat from some where and keep it under the basket. So now the youngsters have a tough time finding a house cat and reed basket since both are not very common now..

This is one problem with customs, most of which are religious; you automatically continue those that have become irrelevant. I am sure that all religions have such, and it will be nice to know of them.

Narayanan

Following are the few examples that you see very commonly in India:

Respect for parents and Elders: In most cases you will see that children have high respect for their parents and elders. Even when they grow up the respect always stays. Also, children take care of their parents till their last.

Family orientation: Indians will have very close knit family. Nowadays it is difficult to have joint families, but in early days having a joint family was a matter of pride.

Sacrifice and adjustment: Most Indians are known for their adjusting nature. They are not rigid and in most cases, they put others before themselves.

Importance to Education: Education is probably the most important thing for parents about their children. Parents sacrifice their career and savings to give children better education.

Trust in Institution of Marriage: In India more than 70 % are arranged marriages and divorce rate is less than 3%. This only goes to show that husband and wife make adjustments and go to lengths to ensure that marriage is successful.

http://trak.in/tags/business/2007/06/02/key-indian-value-common-denominators-in-a-diverse-nation/

Dear Prof. Bhattathiri:

Your story illustrates an important phenomenon in cultural life. Culture is adaptive. That is, it enables society to adapt to its environment and individuals to adapt to society. But culture is transmitted from one generation to another and some values , beliefs or rules that were adaptive in the past may continue to have effect long after they have ceased to be adaptive. In times of rapid social change -as it is the case today-, this poses a serious challenge. Our values , beliefs and habits may become easily misaligned with the changing reality in the areas of economy, politics, technology and the like.

Hi all!

Here in Spain, I would say we are passionate, friendly, ingenious, creative, funny, hospitable... We love our friends, we can find a solution for almost everything.

We have a beautiful country, excellent food and wine. We have a nice weather and the sun shines many days of the year. Our history is rich and we are proud of our different ancestors which include from the palaeolithic man, to the iberians, romans, jews, moors, christians... We have great Architecture and great architects ;-) We are the land of Cervantes, Velázquez, Picasso, Gaudí, Dalí, Colombus, Goya and so many others...

So I like to think of ourselves as kind of a mix of many different cultures.

On the other hand, maybe we don't respect each other enough. We are noisy...too noisy. Never arrive in time, too much corrupt politicians and maybe we should believe more in ourselves. We can do great things, but we simply don't believe we can. Also, we are not as united as we should and some of us want to separate, some want to stay together...it's a shame.

Patience and tolerance are very important values in India.

Within the United States, we have such diversity, so much so, that no singular custom is shared across the land.  It is often spoken that New Englanders are unkind and cold, whereas we also speak highly of 'Southern Hospitality'.  I recently visited Colorado and found the attitudes to be quite different than Massachusetts. Even within my own family the traditions are divided.  My paternal side of the family is of Slavic origins, while my maternal side is of Yankee origins.  In both cases though, they are some of the kindest and most hospitable peoples I know of.  Then again, being related, I'm certain I get preferential treatment in both cases! 

We value highly racial harmony as we live in multicultural society.

Best regards,

Debra

This is a good one Prof,

My country home - Iseyin people are accommodating and they add value to life and lives of others.

My tribe - Yoruba people are wonderful hmmmmmm, sociable and thorough.

My country, Nigeria - Hmmmmmm; forbearing and faithful.

I agree with Dr Adeleke

Good and valuable to the society

A majority of my country men and women are warm, hospitable and follow the principle of 'Vasudev Kutumbakam' - the whole world is your family. Another principle - 'Atithi Devobhava' - Guests are akin to holy men.

India is a land of unity in diversity. People are helpful and wonderful in their own diverse ways. 

Parents care for children is exemplary. Joint family systems ensure care for children, sick and old people. 

Want to Change

Social conflicts due to diversities.

Superstitions prevalent in the society

Want

More scientific temper.

More women empowerment.

I appreciate the quality of my nation that cherishes tradition, and I'd love Serbs to have better historical memory!

Truth, cooperation and adjustment!

If I can bring some light to bear on problems like that, I feel that people will be enlightened not only on the question but also on a way of approaching such questions.

MARVIN HARRIS, scientist

Equality and tolerance is the most common language for me being part of the British society, particularly so in my professional capacity as an educator. You're nurtured to understand that there's diversity in the human race (skin pigmentation, language, religion and even our ability to absorb information), but most important of all, we should be able to embrace the diverse complexities by learning to be be tolerant. For example in education, particularly so in the comprehensive system, children are taught in a class of mixed ability but teachers must ensure teaching resources are differentiated so that the potent is of every learner is utilise fully to challenge their potential.

Society in general is cohesive and tolerant. Stratification does matter and may be one of the necessary conditions for growth. But mutual respect and tolerance emerge out of self respect and attitude to pursue dignified co-existence in an ecosystem. This ecosystem could be developed and managed at all levels local, regional, national and international. There are cases in India, where such situations have proved beneficial through group entrepreneurship. For example (visit Url: www.sewa.org), SEWA and Lizzat (visit Url: www.lijjat.com) could show case that women, if mobilized in groups in society could bridge the gaps we always wanted to see.   

See ...

If people come to visit some of western Balkan countries, they should visit all the countries that were former Yugoslav republic. Nice people, nice tradition, mix of cultures and religions, the richness of diversity!

I bring Ohrid to this thread and fine Macedonian people. Warm people with rich and long tradition!

The 5000 years old Indian culture is both ancient and varied. But unity in diversity which is the main mantra of Indian civilization can be seen if any one monitors its various art forms and traditional diversity.

http://www.goforindia.com/traditional-cultural-india.html

Jose,

Unfortunately, I believe that the United States is at a cultural low point in its history. Our politics are a stagnating joke. Several states are currently trying to throw us back into the Middle Ages by outlawing laws that ban discriminatory practices. Many of our environmental protection laws have been side-stepped or ruled too burdensome for business. Special interest lobbying dictates our governmental policies. Many of our young people feel that they are entitled and should be given everything they want, including the right to use and update their personal social media while at work. Part of our population believes the authorities are out to get them. A lot of the population chooses to believe religious dogma rather than science. In all of this the population is fixated with cell phones, social media, instant gratification, and a me first, everybody else can go to Hell attitude.

While I still believe that the U.S. is one of the best countries in the world, currently the only redeeming quality that I can see is that the public goes above and beyond in helping their neighbors in times of natural disasters and crisis.

Values and customs , these are two so important ingredients of life , that develop over the generations to give identity to citizen of a country and to the country , known by that tradition . Instead of changing , which is  otherwise a spontaneous process , if at all , it happens , no one can stop it . but , we should be more cautious towards imbibing others good traditions and intelligent people from other countries who can contribute handsomely towards the betterment of your country . A country like   USA is one such classical example , where you will find like  a mini-world , living together , working together , prospering together and passing such beautiful legacy of cooperation to next generation with so much of ease. Hats off to them...

English apologise automatically and I haven’t seen it in other nations.

When I am out and about I frequently hear “Sorry?” Some visitors to the UK become confused hearing it and don’t understand why and how to react. It is part of English make up; it is ingrained. I find it solves many life irritations. I find this endearing. 

On matters of etiquette and fine style, if there are rules on how to behave when you step on somebody’s toe, spill his/her drink, block their path, etc. , they are not practiced with same vigor everywhere.

Some non English people haven’t got the hang of it, and they use “sorry” to barge in to impose unpleasant action, as if saying “sorry” gives them the freedom of doing anything they wish.

Thank you for your question on important issue.

During the a few years ago, we are completely engaged the reconstruction of our society to prevent them from the risk of terrorist action.

Right now the citizenship is much fewer because of the social and security pressures. Some family values inherited lingers still make a combined and powerful family.

The people of Iran are warm, friendly, hospitable. Persians are very hospitable people and accord love, respect and warmth to every guest visiting their household. You may be overwhelmed with the warmth, affection and the amount of food and drink that you will be showered with when invited to a Persian home.

Last week, we celebrated Nowruz, the traditional Iranian festival of spring, which starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of the spring. It is considered as the start of the New Year among Iranians. The name comes from Avestan meaning "new day/daylight (please see the links for additional info).

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowruz

http://www.asia.si.edu/events/nowruz/

Hi Jose, Aaah, difficult questions. Post totalitarian social and morality disease here. I would keep the meditarian genotype and change the population.  But it will happen naturally in some more decades.

India is a land of deep-rooted customs. Customs are nurtured and nourished to maintain deeply held values. India is a multi-cultural combination of a mix of a myriad of peoples, religions, ethnic backgrounds all resulting in a multitude of customs. Whether it is the shimmering lights of Diwali, the colors of Holi, the extravaganza of Durga Puja, Navaratri, Onam, Dusshera, Id Ul Fitr and Christmas, you’ll encounter indigenous customs, amazing Indian cuisine and total festive abandonment.  Many Indian homes have a prayer room. Indians prostrate before their parents, elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet. Indians will inculcate values cooperation, group harmony, modesty, dignity, placidity, patience, generosity, indifference to ownership, saving, work ethic, moderation in speech, careful observation, permissive child rearing in our children.customs & values are beneficial for society.

I value our racial and religious harmonies as a people of diverse races and religions. In my country, Hindus, Muslims, and Christian live peacefully together with respect for each other in a twin island state with just over 1.3 million people. The latter is not easily achieved in other parts of the world.

Many thanks,

Debra

Students from almost 30 different nations are studying together in our college. Bangalore is probably the best experimental place to cultivate the new world.

The common man around is tolerant of new people and their ways. Restaurants catering (or atleast carry such titles!) to different cultures.

Diversity in our culture is a virtue that we highly appreciate due to our own condition of mestizo: Indigenous, Europeans  Africans (African slavery), which started in the  Spanish colonial period , and has continued into times with the arrival of immigrants from all over the world. We really feel proud of it.

Venezuelan people love to party a lot. We celebrate our traditional festival and special days, as well as family anniversary  and birthday traditions. Venezuelan people love to cook and to share food amongs friends and neighbours.  

I will change the very bad costume of cheating “the so called “viveza criolla” (to take advantage of others), which in politics manifests itself as an abuse of power, the so called “political corruption.”  I will also change the unpunctuality, a terrible custom.

Italians are likely the most individualistic people thus we are not a cohesive society. Though we proudly have 64% of the world's historic art and culture masterpieces, it seems that this relevant fact is not taken into the highest consideration. The interesting fact is that what we all have in common the food culture. The variety and quality is constantly and unanimously increasing to become pivotal of our sense of life and communication. Is this maybe a better contribution to society (quality and longevity of life) than the Colosseum or the Divina Commedia?

the values and custome of the people from different religions representing different countries are the kind of legacy that is inherited from preceding generation and passed on to succeeding generations in a mcuh value added form.. And , this how the legacy of generation to another goes on and on..

Dear Jose,

Gone are the days when my countrymen value each other 4 major ethnic groups culture as one complete society. Now, we have intercultural exchange program we call harmony day where students from primary schools level are thought to be tolerant among each other by wearing other community costume to start with.

The past five years, with the influx entry of "foreign talent" (FT), hatred has been rampant because they are known to snatch away the good jobs from the born and bred citizens. Not all FTs are bad but one is notorious enough to even resort to sedition in a healthcare environment and place the citizens at risks due to his comments and suggestions to secede my country, enslave the citizens and snatch our jobs and our women. Imagine, our private and personal doctor-patient data is manipulated at his whims and fancies - crucial medical documents those are.

With the enforcement of cyber-crime unit, we are lucky to track the "mastermind" of such seditious intent to task. Even our citizens would not bite the hands that feed them but this FT, given total access to all confidential data and work as a diagnostic technician manipulated patients data for his "blood conquest" and made it known in his viral "hacked" facebook. Imagine sick patients data are exchanged for worst case when the disease was not that serious after all!

Sad to see this particular Filipino or endearing "Pinoy" casts aspersions to my government who favours their kind most owing to their English-speaking background. Hopefully that was an isolated case but the "snatching" of jobs does not end there.

With citizens receiving lower salary with same designation title to these FTs, with no concrete actions then, our ruling government votes were lost to the oppositions who tries to make the government see that bringing in FTs too fast, too many and too high a salary upset the existing rule that applies to the citizen themselves.

What I want to see changed?

The FTs should be thankful enough to enjoy our country's shared wealth, prosperity and appreciate our tolerant nature should not be taken as our dire weaknesses. To accept our harmonious values and live peaceful lives. When the FTs can enrich themselves and run away from troubles should they beset our country, we the citizens have nowhere to return to but to face the problems we never ever created.

Be thankful that our citizens are NOT vindictive enough to chase away all the FTs like what other countries would do - even kill them for such seditious act. But be forewarned that once is enough and none should prevail further.

That much I pin my hope over equal treatment between citizens and FTs alike. Live in peace and harmony so that we could reap the country's wealth together in time of peace and war (never our choice, should it happen).

Best regards - Mariam

An English man or woman wait in line until his/her turn, because it is proper. In the UK, you queue for everything, for a bus, cinema ticket, in the pub, at the supermarket till and so on and so forth. The custom of queuing orderly is changing; perhaps due to influx of immigrants or the influence of other cultures. Bus queues or paying at small shops in North London is disorderly and as you move towards outside London you can observe more order. Even people in north and south behaving differently. The same impatient behaviour is observable in a country where rules of law is supreme. Banks, cinemas and such are now using demarcation lines to keep the order. Police are using cameras to impose discipline. Forty years ago this wasn’t necessary- assuming speed cameras were available then.

English hate queue jumpers, but if you are in an emergency just ask politely if you can go first. Of course this is subject to abuse and no doubt one day the generosity of spirit may disappear together with the patience to stay in an orderly queue. I hate this custom to disappear for whatever reason.

The creative,talented, and extraordinary personalities are driven out the society."The Moon and Sixpence" by Maugham is the great formula of hostility, persecution and driving a gifted personality over the edge(snubbing) in the corrupt society.It's one of the classic (typical) examples...Prima ballerina Svetlana Lunkina resigned in 2015.Was it her own accord?To Lunkina,"I see no reason to confront the intrigues of the management"! Nikolay Tsiskaridze and Svetlana Lunkina "La Rose Malade"(The Death of the Rose") by G.Mahler, choreography by R.Petit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oq4Ma4of_A

http://izvestia.ru/news/584482

Mariam,

Unfortunately, it has been the same story throughout history all over the world as a citizens complain about the latest foreigner to take up residence in their country. The U.S. is no exception. The American public, even the original Irish colonists in the U.S., disliked the Potato Famine immigrants from Ireland. Later, the second wave of Italian immigrants were looked down on. Even today many Americans disdain immigrants from Pakistan and India because of their strong work ethics that help to to achieve many things. Paramount in much of this dislike of foreign immigrants and visiting workers is the fear of "taking jobs away".

It has been noted in many discussion threads about the U.S. and other countries seducing talent away from less fortunate countries. This is an unfortunate reality. Currently, the U.S. is falling behind in the sciences and foreign talent is needed to replace what the U.S. is lacking. It is ironic that many of those talented individuals actually got their degrees and training from the very country that can not produce enough of its own scientists.

Someone in this thread also noted that the ethnic melting pot that is the U.S. is fairly amazing at being able to hold together in relative harmony. This has always been the case, although there has always been some minor strife between the different ethnic groups. One thing that a lot of the world does not realize is that often these immigrants to the United States retain their culture and language, sometimes for several generations. These enclaves of ethnicity, this not wanting to "commit" to being fully "American", but staying separate as if they still live in their old country, is seen in negative aspect. 

Prof. Tanu Gupta, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambāla (India), sent me her answer:

"In my country it is the family system which is the most important value inculcated in all. People are told from the very beginning that living in a family can only give peace of mind and happiness. Both elderly people and children are considered important part of the family system. I think we don't rather we can't develop as an individual till we have a family to support emotionally, physically, mentally, and sometimes financially too. We handle many difficult situations at our workplace too only with this confidence that we have somebody waiting for us at home, somebody who loves us and cares for us. And even if we fail, we have somebody to support us."

Dear Jose,

The value system and custom which I appreciate the most in my country belong to the BRAHMIN people, who live a systematic life without discriminating others, without being involved in any form of indiscipline, unethical, unlawful activities. They start the day with prayers to god and end the day with prayers to god. while most of us spend our weekend in clubs, pubs, holiday resorts and in materialistic joy related activities, these BRAHMIN people, spend their weekends in visiting temples, doing prayers at home, doing meaningful contribution to the society and so on.

I am an NON-BRAHMIN and I am thrilled by the way their value and the cultural system work. My association with them from my late childhood changed the way I approach life and helped me to change the lives of many.

It is worth to explore this beautiful NON-VIOLENCE, SATTVIC culture adopted by the Brahmin's for the betterment of the society at large.

People may tend to disagree with my views. It's fine. Pure wisdom starts from appreciating the goodness at anything, anywhere and at anyone in this universe.

Best Regards.

Sekar Gopal.

The custom based system like family tradition,cast religion etc depends on the region or country where you are presently reciding. For example, if you are in UK then you will follow que,if you are in Mumbai then also for bus you may wait in que,but if you are in other places in India, you may not follow it. Same thing with other custom and religion. Hence, it is difficult to generalize.

Well, in the USA, a surprisingly large number of people are concerned about inequities in society and are demanding change.  I think on and off fights for social justice have been very important and Americans have often been able to discuss and fight about issues publicly--whereas in other lands, things are kept under wraps--not discussed in media or in public space.

Now, as anyone can see with the Republican candidates for President currently, Americans have gone overboard in failing to respect the space of others when conducting public debates.  This is not dissimilar to eras when people shot and killed leaders and presidential candidates.

Rights to free speech and access to weapons are the ying and yang of American history and culture.  I hope the cycle will be broken and return to being able to speak up and share one's feelings in a civil way (without crossing lines and threatening others) returns in America--and none to soon, I pray. 

I utterly concur with Dr. James A Green. I think his respond is comprehensive.

"This is not the kind of country where you would feel comfortable if you were opposed to democracy, parliamentary law, independent courts and so I would say to people who don't feel comfortable with those values there might be other countries where they'd feel more comfortable with their own values or beliefs".....Peter Costello

Fikrat,

The problem with Mr. Peter Costello's sentiments is that dissidents, malcontents, and the public often believe in their country even though they might not like those in charge or the way that they are running it. I might be getting the quote wrong, but I believe someone once said "I am a Brit first and a Tory second!" Country is usually only superseded by religion and ethnicity. The very thing that Costello talks of is what has started many wars throughout history: rejecting or disregarding part of one's population.

Dear James,

Thanks

In my area of the country we welcome new comers with food and invitations to visit.  This is warm and polite as well as just the right thing to do.

The problem is in the area that I live we are not diverse at all and the behavior is not the same for people that do not look like the rest of the society.  We need to get over the idea that different is somehow not as good.

George,

Good point. I come from a very Rural South background. The school I went to had only a few children from one mixed race and one black family, and a classmate that was Mayan adopted at a very early age from Honduras. Due to this isolation,  I had little association with African Americans, Hispanics, etc. until after I graduated high school. I believe that not being surrounded by prejudice and racial strife growing up made me a more tolerant individual than, say, someone born in a large inner-city community.