tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post7582890740191669659..comments2024-01-11T11:41:22.827+01:00Comments on Dream On: What Does "Being An Adult" Mean?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-82497533693834587972014-01-08T12:25:57.032+01:002014-01-08T12:25:57.032+01:00Thanks for this books recommendation, I'll def...Thanks for this books recommendation, I'll definitely check it out. In that particular example, yes, I believe individuality and collectivism enter into play. Japanese culture is one of the most collectivists I know of - and one of the reasons is that they lived on rice culture for centuries, and over 50 people needed to cooperate to successfully manage a rice crop. People needed to put the harmony of the group ahead of their individual needs in order to make it work and ensure everybody had enough to eat. It is not the only factor, but it is one of the defining ones. <br /><br />I really find this interesting because first, discovering these definitions of everyday values teach a lot about a country's culture. But it is also interesting because it gives a different perspective from the one we've been raised in. For the example of "being an adult", I realized a lot of French adults around me - myself included - have a certain tendency to lack of empathy, to take other people's emotions less into consideration than what I've seen in Japan. It made me realize that maybe I should learn a bit from the Japanese perspective and be more cautious of other people's preferences and feelings.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-24508704716502321022014-01-08T11:17:01.958+01:002014-01-08T11:17:01.958+01:00I recommend "The geography of thought" b...I recommend "The geography of thought" by Richard Nisbett on similar topics. Maybe the cultural differences when it comes to individuality and collectivism come into play here? As you wrote (two years ago.. I'm reading your archive! :)): in some cultures adults take care of their own needs and in others adults take care of people around them.Torilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05615976204678749075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-12102367181248763562012-11-27T19:08:25.545+01:002012-11-27T19:08:25.545+01:00I tend to agree with you, my education gets me tow...I tend to agree with you, my education gets me toward the same idea. However, I understand that even if this girl is not adult by not overcoming her shyness and accept our tentatives to include her, maybe it wasn't very adult of us to let things go and have fun anyway either.<br /><br />I do agree that repressing your own needs is not authentic though, and to me, a part of being adult is also to have the courage to stand for one's own opinions and ideas. But that's another debate entirely...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18258704812525496584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4278952973244360576.post-40523638326414567552012-11-24T19:09:45.266+01:002012-11-24T19:09:45.266+01:00Wow, this is a very interesting topic. I'm to...Wow, this is a very interesting topic. I'm torn on this because you stated that the group tried to include the shy girl in conversations, but she didn't participate. <br /><br />Like you, I was raised that being an adult meant that you are responsible for your own feelings and actions. (I'm Californian by the way, but I have traveled all over the world.)<br /><br />I think there is only so much you can do to help others and then they must make an effort. Putting other people first and repressing your own needs is not authentic. For me, fake and polite conversation is exasperating. <br /><br />When you become an adult you've got to take care of yourself. It's childish to expect other people to do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com