People in the western world have become sheltered in the environment in which they live. Due to the invention of TV, the internet and phones, we’ve become very separated from other cultures. While this wasn’t the goal of such technology, we have become connected to other cultures only on a superficial level, without actually experiencing the realities of other ways of life. If you’re wanting to experience other cultures within the States, you might think about Hawaiian vacation rentals, which could let you have a Poipu vacation and see the world from another angle. You could also try experiencing Native American tribes, however these have grown to be increasingly scarce with the influence of Western ways of living.
Why is our culture so dominant? It would be a bit presumptuous to claim it’s in the position it is in simply due to the fact that we’ve got the world worked out, and our way of seeing is correct. The dominance of the West, and America in particular, arose out of World War II, in which seemingly every country involved has their economy drastically reduced, while America was still strong from only joining the war after the attacks at Pearl Harbor. Since then, the United States has influenced the planet through its powerful political pull, it’s monetary and military superiority, and its popular culture that has been shown through television and Hollywood.
While Americans are undoubtedly incredibly lucky to be in this dominant position, this doesn’t mean there are not other ways of life that can show a lot to the average American. Staying within ones own country for an entire life means many of the things offered by the world will be missed out on, and the great wonders of planet Earth will go unnoticed. So it’s no wonder that many Americans feel the “travel bug” and want to get out of the land they know so well.
Going to another country and seeing another culture doesn’t mean just peeking at the way people live from an outsiders view. Very often, it’s possible to become a part of this culture yourself. The way in which inhabitants of the world cook, eat, talk and communicate can be drastically different, and these all point to ways in which the actual viewpoint of different people can look so strange and unnatural at first glance.
It’s no surprise that experiencing new cultures in this way can mean notions of racism are eradicated. As we see the way in which differing viewpoints are formed, we can gain a respect for those we may disagree with, and see their opinions in more intricate ways. Yet this doesn’t mean a persons patriotism will be lost either. Witnessing the beauty of another culture can highlight the small joys in our own way of living that we often lose sight of.
For anyone wanting to learn about themselves and the planet they live in, travel is a must. While it’s by no means cheap and can often be tough, it’s recommended you leave your country of origin at least once in your life.