We just spent two weeks in one of the biggest, and most multicultural cities in the world. What are your observations? Are you changed in any way? What surprised you? What do you miss?
I wasn't surprised or changed in anyway. Growing up in New York City this did not even phase me, I love the mixture of cultures foods, traditions, customs etc. What I did observe an find out was, in England a person having dual identities have been common, even before large scale of immigration. At one time it was only the Irish , Scottish, Wales and English very few other cultures.
I believe if you are going to live in England one must respect the law, the parliament and democratic political structure, traditional values of mutual tolerance, respect for equal rights. Britishness does not mean a single culture. Integration is the coexistence of communities and unimpeded movement between them, it is not assimilation. In other words Britishness is a strong concept but not all embracing. What surprised me the most was I felt it was heavy populated and busy were ever we went. Except Dover and Oxford, even though it did get really busy as we were leaving. Honestly I miss all of the museums I would of like to spend more time exploring a little more, but I was very happy to make it back to the U.S. (there's no place like home).
Multiculturalism is something I don’t tend to think about in general day to day passing. After going to city schools in Paducah (nothing like a true city, but whites are still the minority) I never pay attention to skin color. The biggest difference I noticed as far as people go, was the vast numbers on the little tiny sidewalks weaving in and around each other. I also found it fun to try to guess what people were saying in other languages by using similar root words. My opinion on multiculturalism wasn’t changed in any way though: I don’t care what color you are or what your first language or religion is/was, if you at least respect the culture of the country you are living in, I don’t have an issue. I miss how helpful the British were. Anytime we were out, we could ask nearly anyone we passed how to get somewhere or for more information on something and they would give us the best answer they can. Now, back in my condo complex in Nashville, it makes it that much more noticeable that no one talks to each other.
I was surprised to find that I heard an almost equal amount of English as French, German, Russian, and more. It definitely makes you see just how big the world is and how small and insignificant your little niche really is. Even things as simple as the time of day are vastly different that far across the world, introducing you to an entire new schedule and way of life. I was surprised that pedestrians didn’t have the right of way, there, making me feel a little less safe/protected than if I was in America. I miss riding the tube everywhere. Where in America, transportation is very individualized, I loved the collective feel. Riding to work is almost a social outing in its own, something that cannot be experienced in a country where everyone drives alone. Eating meals seems like much less of an important time to talk with friends. Most cheap places were focused on grab-and-go sandwiches and even charged more money to sit down and actually enjoy one’s meal. Drinking alcohol at pubs seems to be the time to socialize, and eating is merely a necessity to be done as quickly as possible. I don’t feel changed in terms of how I conduct my own life, but I do have a greater awareness of how different groups go about their day to day lives.
I do not feel like my views on multiculturalism have changed vastly since our trip. However, I do have a greater awareness of how small a world I live in actually is. I also have a greater understanding of how sheltered I am. Through our discussions and my observations, I am understanding more that everyone is different and everyone deserves the same respect. Going into the nursing field, I especially need to be observant and respectful of all cultures, customs, and beliefs. This trip, even though overall most of the customs are fairly similar, has given me a better understanding of this. One thing I miss, is yes, the walking. I love being outdoors and seeing the city on foot was a great experience. I also miss riding the tube. It was neat to see how different travel is in London.
I noticed that it really didn't matter to anyone that I had a different accent than they do I noticede too that it was so multiculturalistic but everyone was treated the same as on of them. They were very nice people and also very helpful. We saw a police officer with a dog in the tube and he was so talkative. He let me pet his dog and everything. Even people in the eye was nice and asked me if I wanted them to move over so I could get a better view of the ground below. I don't people in KY would have been that nice about it.
Multiculturalism could surely be seen everywhere in London. I especially noticed the different cultures among people on New Year’s Eve, watching the fireworks from Buckingham Palace, and at the New Year’s Day Parade. There were so many different people all joined together for this celebration. The kindness among all the people was surprising. It didn’t matter where a person came from or what language they spoke, everyone seemed to be treated with the same respect. I miss being surrounded by so many different people and the kindness shown from everyone. It was a great experience.
I also noticed that it didn't matter to the people in London what language I was speaking, that fascinated me. I enjoyed hearing the different accents of people from all around the world. In America, there is this idea that everyone has to speak English, and if you don't, you should have to learn how. I think that type of thinking shows a lack of respect for other cultures. I really got a chance to see how big the world is. In my antrhopology class we were talking about how it can be an issue in America for people to get married if their race is different from one another. In other countries, they would be more concerned with if the religions didn't match. I was able to apply what I saw in London to this class; the general population was more accepting of interracial relationships.
I wasn't surprised or changed in anyway. Growing up in New York City this did not even phase me, I love the mixture of cultures foods, traditions, customs etc. What I did observe an find out was, in England a person having dual identities have been common, even before large scale of immigration. At one time it was only the Irish , Scottish, Wales and English very few other cultures.
ReplyDeleteI believe if you are going to live in England one must respect the law, the parliament and democratic political structure, traditional values of mutual tolerance, respect for equal rights. Britishness does not mean a single culture. Integration is the coexistence of communities and unimpeded movement between them, it is not assimilation. In other words Britishness is a strong concept but not all embracing. What surprised me the most was I felt it was heavy populated and busy were ever we went. Except Dover and Oxford, even though it did get really busy as we were leaving. Honestly I miss all of the museums I would of like to spend more time exploring a little more, but I was very happy to make it back to the U.S. (there's no place like home).
Multiculturalism is something I don’t tend to think about in general day to day passing. After going to city schools in Paducah (nothing like a true city, but whites are still the minority) I never pay attention to skin color. The biggest difference I noticed as far as people go, was the vast numbers on the little tiny sidewalks weaving in and around each other. I also found it fun to try to guess what people were saying in other languages by using similar root words. My opinion on multiculturalism wasn’t changed in any way though: I don’t care what color you are or what your first language or religion is/was, if you at least respect the culture of the country you are living in, I don’t have an issue. I miss how helpful the British were. Anytime we were out, we could ask nearly anyone we passed how to get somewhere or for more information on something and they would give us the best answer they can. Now, back in my condo complex in Nashville, it makes it that much more noticeable that no one talks to each other.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to find that I heard an almost equal amount of English as French, German, Russian, and more. It definitely makes you see just how big the world is and how small and insignificant your little niche really is. Even things as simple as the time of day are vastly different that far across the world, introducing you to an entire new schedule and way of life. I was surprised that pedestrians didn’t have the right of way, there, making me feel a little less safe/protected than if I was in America.
ReplyDeleteI miss riding the tube everywhere. Where in America, transportation is very individualized, I loved the collective feel. Riding to work is almost a social outing in its own, something that cannot be experienced in a country where everyone drives alone. Eating meals seems like much less of an important time to talk with friends. Most cheap places were focused on grab-and-go sandwiches and even charged more money to sit down and actually enjoy one’s meal. Drinking alcohol at pubs seems to be the time to socialize, and eating is merely a necessity to be done as quickly as possible.
I don’t feel changed in terms of how I conduct my own life, but I do have a greater awareness of how different groups go about their day to day lives.
I do not feel like my views on multiculturalism have changed vastly since our trip. However, I do have a greater awareness of how small a world I live in actually is. I also have a greater understanding of how sheltered I am. Through our discussions and my observations, I am understanding more that everyone is different and everyone deserves the same respect. Going into the nursing field, I especially need to be observant and respectful of all cultures, customs, and beliefs. This trip, even though overall most of the customs are fairly similar, has given me a better understanding of this. One thing I miss, is yes, the walking. I love being outdoors and seeing the city on foot was a great experience. I also miss riding the tube. It was neat to see how different travel is in London.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that it really didn't matter to anyone that I had a different accent than they do I noticede too that it was so multiculturalistic but everyone was treated the same as on of them. They were very nice people and also very helpful. We saw a police officer with a dog in the tube and he was so talkative. He let me pet his dog and everything. Even people in the eye was nice and asked me if I wanted them to move over so I could get a better view of the ground below. I don't people in KY would have been that nice about it.
ReplyDeleteMulticulturalism could surely be seen everywhere in London. I especially noticed the different cultures among people on New Year’s Eve, watching the fireworks from Buckingham Palace, and at the New Year’s Day Parade. There were so many different people all joined together for this celebration. The kindness among all the people was surprising. It didn’t matter where a person came from or what language they spoke, everyone seemed to be treated with the same respect. I miss being surrounded by so many different people and the kindness shown from everyone. It was a great experience.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed that it didn't matter to the people in London what language I was speaking, that fascinated me. I enjoyed hearing the different accents of people from all around the world. In America, there is this idea that everyone has to speak English, and if you don't, you should have to learn how. I think that type of thinking shows a lack of respect for other cultures. I really got a chance to see how big the world is. In my antrhopology class we were talking about how it can be an issue in America for people to get married if their race is different from one another. In other countries, they would be more concerned with if the religions didn't match. I was able to apply what I saw in London to this class; the general population was more accepting of interracial relationships.
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