multiculturelism ( Archived) (18)

Here's to hoping that all those immigrants and refugees get
"trying to assimilate into a new culture"
that through their heads, instead of constantly expecting the new countries/cultures they relocate to, to do all the changing/assimilating/accommodating. When I am in another country, I make sure I ask what the rules and norms are, just to avoid insulting anyone for that matter. I do understand that different people have different ways, and some think mine are crazy. You should have seen the look on the face of a woman from a third world country when she found out I could run the office machinery, cook and drive LOL To her, that was completely unheard of. But she was thrilled to death to see what I could do with chocolate.
Enriching a new country with ideas from your old one is ok, forcing it down their throat and trying to make the new country just like the old one is just stupid. If you were so partial to the old one, stay there. All this forcing is what makes other people push back just as hard, causing a lot of the conflicts.

I think it is wonderful. We are all enriched by it.

Oceans

When it works, it really is a good thing. Ok, so I like to cook, so a lot of my example will be regarding that LOL While I was teaching her about yanky munchies, I also learned how to make things that you will never even find in this country. My neighbors are from Mexico and we swap dishes back and forth all the time. LOL When I made some very spicy salsa, they were the only other people who could eat it. And no, neither of us are even very fluent in the other's language, but we find a way to commmunicate.

Well said

It works to some degree, but it's not perfect. Of course nothing ever is....

Good example, LOL! I'm getting hungry!

Oceans

well I think it does work, but has to be managed carefully. Up until very recently I think you Aussies had it fairly sussed, ppl are proud of their backgrounds but are still Aussies. That's what you want.

It's also important to note that there's a difference between the attitude of people who are short term immigrants and those who intend to settle in their host country. I've lived and worked in Australia, Korea and England, but never intended to stay long term in any, so I stayed Irish first and foremost.

However, if I moved permanently to one of those countries, I'd make a commitment to that country, while retaining pride in my Irishness. My kids would be of that nationality, but with an Irish background.

I don't want (for example) Africans who live in Ireland, but Irish ppl who are of African descent.