I wonder if it is a peculiar American passion to offend entire countries, or have we learned this only recently from our movie star role models. I am appalled at the lack of consideration for a culture as this story about Hollywood meeting Bollywood.How do we learn from this kind of negative role model, and gain insight for missions?
8 comments:
I'm not convinced he know this would be a problem. You could certainly get away with far more in Brazil without raising an eyebrow.
I'm not so sure aboout that myself. Note the quote at the end of the article, "Gere, star of films such as Chicago and Pretty Woman, is a Buddhist and travels to India frequently to visit the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in the north of the country."
Even if he didn't realize the taboos he was breaking, what on earth is he doing traveling regularly to a counrty and not knowing their customs? This is typical American behavior, which we can not afford to do in a missions setting.
So methinks. ;-)
I agree,
If he's a frequent traveler, to that culture, and a Buddhist (I realize Hindu is the predominant religion in India) one would think he would know better.
Alas, we all make mistakes.
But it appears that a horny man decided to have some innocent fun.
I don't think Americans are stupid, just arrogant.
See this is why Phil is such a big fan of tea and I'm such a big fan of coffee. Phil for when he visits the UK and me for when I visit the US. ;)
I would hope that the threat of being arrested if he should return to the country might lead Gere to think a bit more carefully about his actions. If people of his celebrity stature could then become spokespeople for greater consideration of cultural taboos when visiting other cultures then there might be some hope. :)
BB
Mike
Hey David,
You're right about arrogant vs. stupid, but people will read arrogant as stupid unfortunately for us.
Mike bro,
You talk more like a missionary than most missionaries. ;-)
Still dunno. I'm too personally familiar with the subtle nuances of Brazilian culture that I, even after a few years, missed. Maybe you're right, maybe not. I just know it's not easy to get along in a culture not your own without eventually offending someone unintentionally...and not realizing how or why.
'You talk more like a missionary than most missionaries.'
Arrrrrgggghhh, another likeness to add. :D
BB
Mike
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