One of the values which is considered positive in the Muslim personality is bashfulness, could you tell me a little bit about the views of bashfulness in Western culture?
Hmmm, my point of comparison is Mexican culture, the first "foreign" culture that I learned. In Mexico, shyness is considered bad -- and shy children are taught that they have a responsibility to go out and socialize, even if it's only to say "hi."
I think American culture falls somewhere between the two.
In the US, shyness is often considered a weakness. The attitude is, "If you don't go out there and find friends, no one is going to feel sorry for you. It's your own fault." However, American children are not taught the same outgoing-ness as Mexican children. In America, you won't offend anybody by being bashful or shy. But people will not accommodate your shyness; they'll leave you by yourself.
In the United States, form what I've experienced, bashfulness is more of a personal trait that you are born with. It is neither positive or negative, just something you either are or aren't. It however, could be a setback in the professional world, for instance when job searching; if you want a job that involves much human interaction, (ie restaurant, front desk jobs etc) an outgoing person may have a better chance at getting the job.
Hmmm, my point of comparison is Mexican culture, the first "foreign" culture that I learned. In Mexico, shyness is considered bad -- and shy children are taught that they have a responsibility to go out and socialize, even if it's only to say "hi."
ReplyDeleteI think American culture falls somewhere between the two.
In the US, shyness is often considered a weakness. The attitude is, "If you don't go out there and find friends, no one is going to feel sorry for you. It's your own fault." However, American children are not taught the same outgoing-ness as Mexican children. In America, you won't offend anybody by being bashful or shy. But people will not accommodate your shyness; they'll leave you by yourself.
Tara Bates
Monterey, CA
In the United States, form what I've experienced, bashfulness is more of a personal trait that you are born with. It is neither positive or negative, just something you either are or aren't. It however, could be a setback in the professional world, for instance when job searching; if you want a job that involves much human interaction, (ie restaurant, front desk jobs etc) an outgoing person may have a better chance at getting the job.
ReplyDelete