Wednesday, September 26, 2007

ethnocentrism

my sister sent me this email with the following caption:

This is where your calls are directed when you contact customer service for assistance with your new computer or airline reservations and you get somebody in India that is difficult to understand. Maybe it's the wiring......





now for my commentary:
aren't emails like this really funny? makes me glad that i live in amerika where the wires are now finally being put underground so i don't have to see how ugly they look. (but joking aside, these pictures really just make me wanna buy a ticket for india. it's gotta be so completely different from the western world, and with a billion plus people there... ) traveling in asia has to be one of the most exhilarating experiences - it challenges your whole world view. so when you see an email with these type of pictures- if it doesn't evoke a sense of awe in you, but instead makes you wanna laugh, push the delete button on yourself.
(now that's funny.)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was just reading an article about China today (the one in the NYT about water usage/water tables going down, etc.) and thinking that's yet another place on my list of places to visit. I've never been to Asia, and having had roommates and friends from various Asian countries has made me want to visit more. But I wouldn't know where to start, not knowing the language. (Okay, I know sabai di and joy but that's not going to get me very far. :) ) I've only been on one international trip, and that was to Scotland--interesting and eyeopening, but still English-speaking.

jrm said...

give it a go stacy, you don't need to know the language. guide books are amazing. i am always surprised by how many foreigners you see in Laos. and its funny, cause they just get by. they learn how to point at what they want and how to speak slowly (and sometimes how to speak loudly). and of course, many people around the world speak english. so everyone - travel asia before you get old. they don't have ADA over there (europe probably has ADA- without the first A, of course).

and as a side note: when i've talked to foreigners traveling southeast asia, they all unanimously agree - Laos is their favorite country to travel. and 9 out of 10 of their doctors agree as well.

Anonymous said...

Heh, of *course* Laos was the favorite.

Jenni said...

2008 is fast approaching. Time to get a trip to India on the Calendar.

Anonymous said...

So, Joseph, you really do look at forwards?? That's good to know, teehee.

On the subject of visiting India, there was a large article in the local paper a few weeks ago about how "officials" are trying to discourage people from using the "outside" as a toilet. Even people who have access to toilets don't always use them. I am fascinated by foreign lands & their culture--but not everything is worth knowing!!! :o)

plainoldsarah said...

i always loved the signs in the philippines that said "no peeing here."

you have a good point about the wires being underground - but i still think those pictures are cool and amazing.

jrm said...

sarah you r joking right? cause my underground wires comment was sarcasm (i even wrote america with a k for emphasis.)

yes, i think the pictures are amazing.

and jenni, r u going to india??? do you know yet?

John and Drew said...

Have you seen the shift happens video on the net... google it and you'll be really in awe...

Hey... I have some Alaska passes want to come hang out with John and I for a weekend?

John and Drew said...

We have lots of wires in Livermore CA too. You may enjoy them just as much as say India or so. :)

jrm said...

i can always use a break away from seattle rain, so i may have to take you up on that!

livermore wires! yoo hoo!

plainoldsarah said...

no i wasn't kidding - i just know my neighborhood's wires don't come close to the photo or what i've seen in other countries. i also know that we do put some wires underground - i don't know what kinds - but i had a temp job where i witnessed it first hand. i think they were those optical wires - interent stuff? really - it's not my field of interest so i know little about it. just what i've seen with my eyeballs.