So, I‘m
reading this thought-provoking book called Ministering Cross-Culturally by
Lingenfelter and Mayers. It‘s about using the Incarnation as a model for
cross-cultural relational evangelism. Obviously, I‘m finding it very relevant
to my situation.
A lot of the book is about recognizing that just because a culture perceives something as right or wrong doesn‘t mean it necessarily is. For example, a meeting runs over and the group waiting to use the facility next rings a bell to demand the turnover. In Germany the group running late is at fault and considered very rude and the bell ringers are right. On the island of Yap, it would be exactly the opposite. The bell ringers would be very rude and the group running over innocent.
Personal example: I perceive selfies to be immature, vain, and narcisistic (sp?) Asia thinks they‘re fun and a way to bond and connect. I prefer to take unposed shots of what‘s happening. Asia thinks picture-taking is an event happening in and of itself.
So, yesterday when I ran into two 8th graders from #寧中 hanging out at 7-Eleven taking selfies together I resisted the urge to tease them about not having anything better to do and asked them if I could take some with them. Honestly, because of the insider-outside mentality being so strong here in #金門 I was expecting them to say no or at least be reluctant about it. But they were delighted, discussed at length what template to use, chose 4 poses and reshot several times to get it just right.
I still don‘t like selfies, but I sure did like the connection we had.
A lot of the book is about recognizing that just because a culture perceives something as right or wrong doesn‘t mean it necessarily is. For example, a meeting runs over and the group waiting to use the facility next rings a bell to demand the turnover. In Germany the group running late is at fault and considered very rude and the bell ringers are right. On the island of Yap, it would be exactly the opposite. The bell ringers would be very rude and the group running over innocent.
Personal example: I perceive selfies to be immature, vain, and narcisistic (sp?) Asia thinks they‘re fun and a way to bond and connect. I prefer to take unposed shots of what‘s happening. Asia thinks picture-taking is an event happening in and of itself.
So, yesterday when I ran into two 8th graders from #寧中 hanging out at 7-Eleven taking selfies together I resisted the urge to tease them about not having anything better to do and asked them if I could take some with them. Honestly, because of the insider-outside mentality being so strong here in #金門 I was expecting them to say no or at least be reluctant about it. But they were delighted, discussed at length what template to use, chose 4 poses and reshot several times to get it just right.
I still don‘t like selfies, but I sure did like the connection we had.
No comments:
Post a Comment