L06: Differences in Emotional Expressivity

One of the most price possessions in today's society is the feeling that we, as individuals, belong to a specific group.
Since we are very young, we are told what to do to fit in. Whether it's in school, at a birthday party or in front of a person we like, there are some social paradigms that we need to navigate to enjoy approval. Hence the fabric of what is acceptable and what not in each community.

I have a friend that requires that we all take off our shoes before entering his house, and he is not Asian. If you ever visit Argentina you'll see that a handshake is never enough while greeting somebody at a social gathering. They would very likely kiss you, man or woman, in the cheek. This, as confusing as may look to you, is nothing but a sign of good manners is South-America.

Each culture has its differences and if we are to make any progress as the human race, we should try to respect and seek to understand this differences.

The more we know about somebody's culture and set of values the more chances we have to connect and understand each other. We might even benefit from this encounters.

Think about Mexican food. I assume that many people are aware of how delicious it is, but for people that never try that the sole idea of partaking of something foreign might make them squeamish to say the list. Only those open-minded will seek the opportunity to expand their culinary horizons in the search for understanding.

People, much like food, comes in many cultural flavors, sometimes even individuals from the same family carry with them distinctive ideas of what is acceptable and what isn't, but this is not random it is all part of our Heavenly Father's plan to help us love each other just how we are and learn that after all, there is more than just one flavor.