I didn't really want to go, but it was the place to be. Even if the event isn't appealing to me, I've learned that sometimes I should attend it regardless, just to be with people. Although you may not realize it at first glance, a parade shows many parts of a culture. Not every society has parades, but those who do, logic would tell me they display some of their more prized possessions in the parade. On Saturday morning, I braved the cold with hundreds of other people to watch the "Dogwood Parade". Any meaning I attach to the significance of the name would be pure conjecture, but I'm guessing it has something to do with all the dogwood trees that I'm told are blossoming. Despite the 40 degree weather, the bands marched by with focused looks on their faces. I was particularly intrigued with one young fellow in the ranks of the band who was wearing the same short sleeve shirt as everyone else, but didn't appear to have a function. His hands were empty and he wasn't directing them. In fact, he was toward the rear of the formation. Maybe he forgot his instrument, or his dog ate it. I'm not really sure. There were lots of 'kings' and 'queens' of various things who were dressed up and sitting in nice cars. Some people appeared to have entered their family with no particular marketing strategy in mind. A vehicle might be pulling an undecorated trailer with a typical Ozark family, a jet ski, and some summer toys. These things may seem standard to people living in certain parts of the US, but I'm telling you, there is much culture attached. Why is candy thrown on the ground in a society where everyone is super "eco-friendly"? I saw one girl hand candy to people, and I suddenly thought, "Why don't people normally do that?" You know that the street sweepers have a great time when Monday rolls around. Actually, I was just informed that people weren't supposed to be throwing it. In some cultures, I could see how that would be offensive. "Here, eat this off the ground like a pig, instead of me handing it to you like a fellow human being." That might be the basic unspoken message that would be communicated to some cultures. I'm always amazed at the varied ways that people think, and I realize that learning a culture is not a simple task.
1 Comment
Lynae
4/18/2011 01:47:34 pm
Too true about throwing the candy on the ground. I hadn't thought of that. I'm glad you came with us. If I have to be miserable in the cold, it's nice to have someone else shivering next to me.
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AuthorWe are normal people who believe that God would have us serve Him in Brazil. We are saddened by the existence of people who do not have access to the gospel due to their location and language. We want to live among such a people group and plant a church among them, shepherding the believers as they grow to maturity. Archives
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