Respect the differences

On one winter day, a group of 15 people from different countries and cultures walked from point A to B, where the sun decided to show up halfway through the journey. A Malaysian quickly reacted by taking out her umbrella, while some in the group got shocked and wonder what happened. Most of them looked up the sky and one or two asked if it is raining. I saw the whole incident and I couldn’t hold my laughter and laugh so badly that everyone looked at me. The Malaysian did not know why people had such reaction and did not understand why umbrella is needed when it is not raining and some think using the umbrella to avoid the sun is funny and ridiculous and some think that if it is not an umbrella, how are we going to avoid the UV.

Everyone has a different point of view about the sun, the usage of the umbrella and what is good or bad for their skin. We all have a different point of view. The Malaysian might not be able to understand in their lifetime why some people love the sun so much. The westerners might not understand why the Malaysian need to avoid the sun. I do not think it is an issue of right or wrong or who's ideas and reasons are more supreme than the others. It is just personal preferences, cultures and customs.

You don’t need to accept other’s preferences, cultures and customs or make others accept yours. Respect each other’s preferences, cultures and customs, even though if the other Malaysian decided to use a transparent umbrella.

We might not be able to understand why one decided to react the way they do, but we can only respect that, it is for their own good.  Yes.  It might sound selfish, but we are an individual self, which we decide to do certain things for our own best.  For whatever culture and customer believe, for whatever situation it is.  Stop judging.  Respect others. 

-Respect the differences -