It has been just over two months since I have been in Peru. However, this
morning I read a verse in the Bible that reminded me of a certain moment in
Lima. Well, consider yourself invited on this specific reflection
journey…
I remember when I was little, my mother took me aside and said:
“you should greet the people”…I don’t even know them, I commented. “That does not matter, friendliness never hurt anyone.” This conversation started because I was not greeting people in public. And so the little brain went… uhhmmm: What does she mean? , why is it so important for her that I greet the people…anyways, she is my mother so let’s obey.
I must also add that South Africa is the second most friendlies country in the world. Greeting strangers is a common thing around here. Well, that was exactly what I did when I was in Lima, I greeted people –strangers on
the street- why not?
I realized that the people I was with in Lima did not do the same…Uhmm, this is starting to feel awkward, but I continued to greet people because that is what we do! One afternoon I got warned: “Do not greet the men in the street; they might think you like them”. Oops, was it men that I greeted? I just greet whoever I walk past. So, I stopped greeting the people. That felt even more uncomfortable.
Back home in Wellington, there is always men sitting on the corner of the street. I love to greet them and yes, you can expect some or other comment. Last month I walk in the main road and I must have pass five groups of men. They all made comments: “meisie, jy is darm mooi”, “dankie meneer”; “ek het lanklaas so ‘n mooi meisie gesien, girl, jy het-it”. I greet and then I respond by saying thank you. No one said anything vulgar or disrespectful. They merely just commented on how I looked, and what is wrong with that. I appreciated their encouragement even though I knew half of them were drunk.
About a month ago, on my way to Gaansbaai with the international students, we had a similar conversation. They were amazed at how friendly the people in South Africa are. They commented that in most of the European countries, where they come from, people will think that they are crazy if they greet strangers in the street. The common rule is to look down when you see someone is approaching. Respecting of personal space…
My question this morning is: How do we decide who we greet or not? Stereotypes and prejudice!! All men want is to…don’t greet them, watch out for the black people they might…don’t bother greeting a white person they won’t greet back…we are just not in the same class, we don’t mix, don’t talk to bad people…but are they not all strangers? How do I know that they are bad people? Who said that?
I pray that the next generation will not become cynical and think the worst of everyone. Let’s keep our Ubuntu spirit high, let’s be a family, let’s look after each other…
Building family starts with greeting!
Goeie môre tannie…
molo sisi...
good day to you…
hello...
hola…
it really does not take much.
However, it does acknowledge the other person as being worthy of your attention and time. And that sounds Kingdom to me!
Matthew 5: 47-48 “And if you greet only your brother, what are you doing more than others?...be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
morning I read a verse in the Bible that reminded me of a certain moment in
Lima. Well, consider yourself invited on this specific reflection
journey…
I remember when I was little, my mother took me aside and said:
“you should greet the people”…I don’t even know them, I commented. “That does not matter, friendliness never hurt anyone.” This conversation started because I was not greeting people in public. And so the little brain went… uhhmmm: What does she mean? , why is it so important for her that I greet the people…anyways, she is my mother so let’s obey.
I must also add that South Africa is the second most friendlies country in the world. Greeting strangers is a common thing around here. Well, that was exactly what I did when I was in Lima, I greeted people –strangers on
the street- why not?
I realized that the people I was with in Lima did not do the same…Uhmm, this is starting to feel awkward, but I continued to greet people because that is what we do! One afternoon I got warned: “Do not greet the men in the street; they might think you like them”. Oops, was it men that I greeted? I just greet whoever I walk past. So, I stopped greeting the people. That felt even more uncomfortable.
Back home in Wellington, there is always men sitting on the corner of the street. I love to greet them and yes, you can expect some or other comment. Last month I walk in the main road and I must have pass five groups of men. They all made comments: “meisie, jy is darm mooi”, “dankie meneer”; “ek het lanklaas so ‘n mooi meisie gesien, girl, jy het-it”. I greet and then I respond by saying thank you. No one said anything vulgar or disrespectful. They merely just commented on how I looked, and what is wrong with that. I appreciated their encouragement even though I knew half of them were drunk.
About a month ago, on my way to Gaansbaai with the international students, we had a similar conversation. They were amazed at how friendly the people in South Africa are. They commented that in most of the European countries, where they come from, people will think that they are crazy if they greet strangers in the street. The common rule is to look down when you see someone is approaching. Respecting of personal space…
My question this morning is: How do we decide who we greet or not? Stereotypes and prejudice!! All men want is to…don’t greet them, watch out for the black people they might…don’t bother greeting a white person they won’t greet back…we are just not in the same class, we don’t mix, don’t talk to bad people…but are they not all strangers? How do I know that they are bad people? Who said that?
I pray that the next generation will not become cynical and think the worst of everyone. Let’s keep our Ubuntu spirit high, let’s be a family, let’s look after each other…
Building family starts with greeting!
Goeie môre tannie…
molo sisi...
good day to you…
hello...
hola…
it really does not take much.
However, it does acknowledge the other person as being worthy of your attention and time. And that sounds Kingdom to me!
Matthew 5: 47-48 “And if you greet only your brother, what are you doing more than others?...be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”