"This, I soon realized, was also the biggest difference between 'them' and 'us': While some did everything possible, others did what was necessary."

("Sommerhit", Tom Liehr)

What are the similarities and differences between the civilizations of today?

Maria Fellner - 04.01.2020 @ 09:12

What makes us different and what keeps us together?

by Marie Naschberger, BG-BRG Kufstein/Austria

All of us have already met people who do not come from the same village, town, country or even continent. Yet, in the end, we are all humans. So, what connects us? What are the differences between cultures, and what are the similarities?

Maybe some of you have already heard the saying: “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness” by William Ward, and I think that body language is something that is unique in every region. To some people shaking your head means ‘yes’, to others it means ‘no’; some hand signals are meant as compliments here, but they are considered rude somewhere else. However, studies have shown that a smile is the same in every country; also tears are perceived as an expression of sadness everywhere. So why is that? Possibly because we all have the same origin. Humankind has developed through evolution and the fact that we laugh if something is funny or makes us happy, that we cry if we are sad, or that we cross our arms as a sign of caginess, to show that we do not want to talk or that we feel attacked is rooted deep in our subconscious.

In the end, we all have the same aim too, don’t we? We all strive for happiness. We all look for a reason to live; we aspire a happy life. In different countries different cultures dominate. In some regions, one religion dominates, somewhere else another one does, and therefore different foods, rituals and habits are typical of certain areas. Since the original human likes routines and well-known things, many people fear change. What isn’t understood is feared, and that is the reason why racism exists. As it is very well shown in the book “Dazwischen: Ich” by Julya Rabinowich, all that people want is having a normal life. The main character, Madina, had to flee from her homeland because of war. The book tells the story of the problems that occur to her in the country that she lives in now, and when I read the book, I kept thinking “Why are people like that? Why do they have to make life so hard for others?” all the time. This is a very common question I think, which cannot be answered in such a short time. However, just as it is true for sexism, I think it is the seduction to gain an advantage by putting oneself above someone else, but that’s not a way to find happiness. Robert Ingersoll once said “We rise by lifting others”, and I can only agree with that statement. It is a great feeling to help someone to get a bit closer to happiness, even though this person possibly has nothing to offer. Helping without expecting anything from the other satisfies oneself and, in some way, kindness always comes back to you, even if it doesn’t immediately.

So in the end I have come to the result that we are all different concerning the way we grow up, in which cultures we live, and which values we are taught on our way by the people who surround us. However, what we all have in common is our purpose, our reason to live. Our never-ending search for love, acceptance and happiness bonds us together, and we can achieve that goal by banning hatred and the fear of change from our lives and by starting to love each other. To some people that is a hard task to live up to, but travelling is a great start to make it easier. Travelling around the world, and getting to know the unknown makes it easier to remember that we all are human. The Erasmus+ project is also a wonderful opportunity to socialize with people from different cultures and to strengthen the bonds between all of us. I have the impression that all of the members of the Erasmus+ program are very extrovert, kind, warm-hearted and tolerant people who get thrilled to connect to others and erase every doubt that we all are a unity.

“We all look the same from above”

Foto: Marie Naschberger

Marie Naschberger - 06.03.2020 @ 14:00

Hi Marie,

First of all, I want to say that I really enjoyed reading your article; it is written in a really good way and it has got a good message, great work!

I totally agree with your opinions, it is a fact that cultures around the world can be fairly different from each other, but in the end, if we really want to, we can all live together in a peaceful world with war, discrimination and racism. I have experienced both, the acceptance, but also the discrimination of the people in Austria, as being not originally from here, because I was born in France and my whole Family is French, even though I spent most of my life in Austria and I feel actually more connected to the Austrian culture rather than to the French one. 

Getting to know other cultures, people and locations in Europe and around the world is important. It is a way to acquire new knowledge about our world and also to see how different, but similar cultures on Earth can be. And travelling is the best way to do that; just reading information on the internet is not enough. And exchanges between students like the Erasmus+ Project we are participating in are even better!

Amaury Mammet - 05.05.2020 @ 15:56

Hi Marie! 

First, I just want to say that I really did enjoy your article. It's really well written and its content is really good. It really drew my attention to read the article twice or maybe a third time would be great but anyways I really enjoyed the quote at the end and the little picture.

I totally agree with your opinions and I think it's a fact that cultures all around the world can be fairly different from each other. I really hope that in the end all will live in a peaceful world. 

Best regards 

Andrés Osorio Arispe 

Andrés Osorio Arispe - 15.05.2020 @ 12:53

Hi Marie!

I really liked your article, especially the fact that you pointed out that some gestures have the same meaning everywhere. Furthermore, I liked your writing style, and how you explained your point of view. 

The link to the book was very good and even though I have not read the book, I am actually thinking about changing that. It sounds very interesting! 

Thank you! 

Anastasia

Anastasia Sobol - 16.09.2020 @ 16:32