I used to say to my Indian friends that all whites are not whites! (not in a racist sense). Generally in east, any white man is considered English i.e. Brit. This confuses a lot of people who step out for the first time to either US, UK or Europe. Nature has made some differences in the human race, though we all have commonalities. Go east or west, the animalistic behaviour is same... Every one has both Yin-Yang in them.
Last week one of my family friends had been here from US, on an official trip. We met after long time - should be a few years. As it happens the topic turned over to US vs UK vs India. I mentioned in my opening statement about a confusion which people normally have. At a point in my life, I had that too. Fortunately or not, I lived in US for a considerable period of time and i moved to UK. I had this assumption, that whites are whites and continued my lifestyle as i would do in US. Later i understood the people dynamics of UK and things look different to me. I was chasing all along up to that point, then stopped for a brief period, started thinking! - I am a think tank :). I still chase, but do it smartly. That's what UK has done to me and i immensely thank them. Part of journey, some people realise there is a window to world only when the journey is about to end. In my case, I am very happy that i have found the window quite early. This is my earnest attempt to people around the world to stop them and think for a while... Its not about which is better, but about why are we here (in the Planet Earth) and what is better?
The question is, should we as an animal, enjoy as well as earn bread or should we work hard and yearn to enjoy?In US to be a part of mainstream is a still a dream for many though the country by itself is termed as 'land of immigrants'. Where as UK has worked well in this particular aspect where irrespective of race, the polity is present (remember Yin-Yang is everywhere in UK as well). Having said that, i have observed that if your mind-set blocks you cannot be part of mainstream anywhere in the world, even in your own home turf. Raised in an Indian conservative background, turning into a liberal through experience, I can vouch for Britain's multi-cultural-ism, albeit they work hard to preserve the native culture and traditions as well.
When people talk about the US, they talk about rule of law and freedom of thought as fundamental constitutional cornerstones. How does it apply to a common man is a question one need to answer. Calling itself a secular, democratic and capitalistic country, US questions Obama's religions. Why/How does it matter if he is a half-Muslim? But the largest democracy India has got itself elected a Woman prime minister, president and a president, a prime minister from religious minority... US intervenes in Ports authority and such deals, but calls itself truly capitalistic. On the other hand UK has sold its key energy component to EDF (French), Water, airports etc have also been taken up by non-UK companies. These policies have impact on common man as it gives him price differences and quality of service.
Today people have forgotten some fundamental principles of politics and what it means to be a socialist, a communist, democrat or a conservative...
As i normally do, it would look that I have digressed from the topic of lifestyle. No, there is a subtle and strong link to the principles of governing party and the subjects of that government... coz' 'As the King So the People'. In terms of lifestyle i feel and think that UK has got a few fundamental things pretty much correctly and the US has got those on the wrong end. Especially medical benefits, benefits from national insurance/social security, holidays and lifestyle. (these views are subjective but will turn into objective as you go up the chain of philosophy).
Sometime back in FT i read how George W Bush spends one-fifth of an year in vacation and his subjects take just 3-4% of an year as vacation and in UK it is little tilted, the subjects take 25-30 days an year and the Prime Minister spends 40 days an year. India up to the 1970s followed some key aspects of British culture, now trots a lot on American footsteps... Work hard 5 days and spend the rest 2 days crazy... as things changed in US lifestyle rather work-style, work all 7 days, little family time etc, same followed here, Importantly Indians from software background have started following the trend.
End of the day we have forgotten that our base is from animal and some of the animal instincts take a beating and turns evil into the society and an increase of animal behaviour in the society... It all comes to our mindset, be where ever you are, stop for a moment and think, ask yourself are you having fun and enjoying in planet earth?
ow him personally? really how many people really understand what he stands for - he may be a good orator, but how different is it from Monarchy? A man/woman from queen's family who is well trained (or at the minimum, grown-up in the climate) in the game of politics would lead the country, it didn't matter if he/she was a good, righteous person or not. This man he kept flaming the colour and displayed qualities of a leader; cried at the correct moment - well enacted to the path of victory. Can he deliver? Time will answer...
