Culture Corner

I found this beautiful winter poem and thought it might be a comfort to you.
It was to me, and it's very well written.

Winter
A poem by Isobele Carla Ewan

Fuck!
It's Cold!

Winter (Southern Hemisphere Version)
A poem by Jocko McMarsbar



Fuck!
It's Hot!

Indian Man Marries Dog to Atone

A man in southern India married a female dog in a traditional Hindu ceremony as an attempt to atone for stoning two other dogs to death — an act he believes cursed him — a newspaper reported Tuesday.

P. Selvakumar married the sari-draped former stray named Selvi, chosen by family members and then bathed and clothed for the ceremony Sunday at a Hindu temple in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the Hindustan Times newspaper said.

Some stories require no comment.

Lacist Humour

I can't help it, I am Scottish. The Scots are the most racist when it comes to jokes. It is to do with our inferiority complex and anybody who is not fair of skin is sufficiently worse off to our way of thinking that they are worthy of a joke.

I grew up in a country where the only foreigners were a few white English and Irish people. People of colour were about as rare as people who like Tony Blair. Call us narrow minded and parochial if you like, but it is true.

So if you don't like it, tough. I blame my parents.

Now say it out loud after me.

Besom Abroad does Austin

I am still laughing at this post entitled the Power of Positive Thinking, on cultural differences from Besom Abroad, a Scot studying in Austin, Texas. It takes me back to the mid 1980s when I went to the US to live. I ended up in Aspen and her observations in the early part of the post rang so true for me and brought back many good and bad memories.

Cultural changes can be very challenging, even if all your needs are catered for. It can be alienating to live amongst people who look like you but who are completely different in their values and the way they interact.

The thing I noticed first was the absence of sarcasm in the culture. You can expect most Americans to stare blankly if you go down that path. Personally I used to cringe when referred to as You Guys and often incorrectly wanted to reply to the obligatory Howzitgoan.

We all adjust, but those first few months were challenging, with sun every day and having to smile and say hello to everyone. It was a long time before I could have a good moan when I met a travelling Scot in the bar.