Posted by: Vivant May 19, 2011
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My perspectives change constantly. I can relate to much of what Stiffler and Babal Khate have expressed. A few other things I'd like to share:
(1) It doesn't matter where I live --- US or Nepal -- I can do just as well in both countries as long as l have realistic expectations about both places. Complaining about poor traffic etiquette in Nepal is like complaining about the lack of general knowledge amongst many Americans - I need to know what is in my power to change and what is beyond me to change.
(2) I now look at socio-economic status in a different light. I don't measure a person by what job they have or where they live and go on vacation or how well they speak and dress up. It's more important to me that the person respects others, doesn't think too much of himself, doesn't look down on others, is empathetic etc. Most of my friends in Nepal were children of businessmen, doctors, lawyers, engineers, landowners, etc -- that is they were pretty well off. Here most of my friends, including me, live pretty much middle class lives.
(3) Nepalese and Americans, in general, are more alike than different when it comes to what motivates us. Most of the things that drive us are pretty much the same. We want more comfortable lives, good careers or business opportunities, some wealth and assets, a nice house, a reliable social circle, respect, stature, fulfillment, love etc regardless of where we live.
(4) I feel I appreciate family and friends more since coming to America. I sometimes feel socially constrained in America. Everyone is so busy with their own lives that I feel there is a 'social energy' missing. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. It is a good thing because it pushes me out of my comfort zone and forces me to socialize with people who I may not have much in common with. This is a bad thing for the exact same reason. I am forced to pay lip service to opinions I completely disagree with because it is socially expedient to do so. This would be less of a problem for me in Nepal because I would at least have the cushion of my family to fall back on even if I pissed off everyone else I knew.
(6) A few years after coming to the US, I bought into the idea of American exceptionalism and moral superiority. I used to think America acts with the right motivations most of the time. I now question this. I am increasingly wary of American exceptionalism as advocated by the current ruling elites -- this belief that America is the best country in the world because of all the great things it has done and achieved and thus it has the moral authority to do what it does in the world. Sadly, this kind of exceptionalism the source of American arrogance and hubris.
(7) I have gotten a heck of a lot more analytical since coming to America. Some of it maybe me growing up and maturing. Some of it maybe the socio-cultural environment I find myself in today. 10 years ago I would probably have posted seven words or less, not seven paragraphs, in response to this subject.
(1) It doesn't matter where I live --- US or Nepal -- I can do just as well in both countries as long as l have realistic expectations about both places. Complaining about poor traffic etiquette in Nepal is like complaining about the lack of general knowledge amongst many Americans - I need to know what is in my power to change and what is beyond me to change.
(2) I now look at socio-economic status in a different light. I don't measure a person by what job they have or where they live and go on vacation or how well they speak and dress up. It's more important to me that the person respects others, doesn't think too much of himself, doesn't look down on others, is empathetic etc. Most of my friends in Nepal were children of businessmen, doctors, lawyers, engineers, landowners, etc -- that is they were pretty well off. Here most of my friends, including me, live pretty much middle class lives.
(3) Nepalese and Americans, in general, are more alike than different when it comes to what motivates us. Most of the things that drive us are pretty much the same. We want more comfortable lives, good careers or business opportunities, some wealth and assets, a nice house, a reliable social circle, respect, stature, fulfillment, love etc regardless of where we live.
(4) I feel I appreciate family and friends more since coming to America. I sometimes feel socially constrained in America. Everyone is so busy with their own lives that I feel there is a 'social energy' missing. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. It is a good thing because it pushes me out of my comfort zone and forces me to socialize with people who I may not have much in common with. This is a bad thing for the exact same reason. I am forced to pay lip service to opinions I completely disagree with because it is socially expedient to do so. This would be less of a problem for me in Nepal because I would at least have the cushion of my family to fall back on even if I pissed off everyone else I knew.
(6) A few years after coming to the US, I bought into the idea of American exceptionalism and moral superiority. I used to think America acts with the right motivations most of the time. I now question this. I am increasingly wary of American exceptionalism as advocated by the current ruling elites -- this belief that America is the best country in the world because of all the great things it has done and achieved and thus it has the moral authority to do what it does in the world. Sadly, this kind of exceptionalism the source of American arrogance and hubris.
(7) I have gotten a heck of a lot more analytical since coming to America. Some of it maybe me growing up and maturing. Some of it maybe the socio-cultural environment I find myself in today. 10 years ago I would probably have posted seven words or less, not seven paragraphs, in response to this subject.