A complete lack of respect...
I have realized that that is one of the things that bothers me most here.
First of all, Egypt seems to be a very individualistic society. Everybody is looking out for himself. I grew up in a collective society. The people looked out for themselves, but also for the group.
I see it here in simple things like people being all the way in the right lane and stop traffic behind them to make the u-turn on the left side.
I see it at the grocery store when people cut into the lines.
I see it at governmental buildings where people cannot stand in a line and they are all screaming and pushing.
If people had a bit more respect I think these things would run smoothly.. or at least smoother.
People have a lack of respect for personal space. They have a lack of respect for privacy. They have a lack of respect for me.
I think the biggest lesson I wish I could teach people here would be how to respect . How to respect each other, how to respect order and rules, and how to respect themselves.
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4 comments:
Agreed. I recall sitting in the car w/ my Kiwi friend/colleague and her Egyptian husband. It was a Daewoo...average car in Egypt for the 'middle class' I suppose. Anyway, we're parked while her husband runs in to the bakery, and the number of men who felt the need to walk by, slapping their hands down on the car, touching it, etc...no respect for the property of others. I think it's this war raging of the 'haves' and 'have nots'.
I am glad you wrote this. After our conversation based on it and the conclusion we came to...I am proud of us and the attempt we put into work everyday teaching the basics of respect to the future of Cairo. Kudos habibty!
See you soon...
cairogal:
I do nto think it is the haves and have-nots only. I think all people have a lack of respect.. The haves don't respect the haves. They have-nots don't respectthe have-nots.
It is all about "me".
Shahira:
I do not think that we were able to teach them respect. I think that even at 8.. it was already too late. Or else I was just not able to do so. I failed atteaching them respect. I have lost hope.
Indeed u became a full egyptian,
That is what we do, talking and nothing else. we always speak about problems we have but no one really tries to find a solution
Wellcome in Egypt
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