The THIRD WORLD

I have had some discussions of late with some friends and relatives who come from the third world and are supportive of the way of life there. Which begs the question. "Then why are you living in America?" You can put a three pointed star on a donkey or lipstick on a pig and they are what they are....a donkey and a pig.

There is not a culture on this planet that does not have SOMETHING to teach us, or some virtues that we could profit from. These two-edged cultural swords are yin-yang, simultaneously dark-light, positive-negative. Take the "manana" attitude (Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes by Jimmy Buffett) and the restful lack of urgency for everything, sitting in the shade with your sombrero pulled down over your eyes with your faithful donkey tethered beside you. Restful, of course. Food on the table...not so much. This casual nonchalance is so good that all the Mexicans stay in their own country because it' just perfect down there. On the other hand... the frenetic pace in our cities and the "artificial urgency" of everything that has to be done (4 shots of espresso) this minute, is also not good for a person. There are places for this kind of approach to life. I know that if and when I have to go to the Trauma Center, I want the frenetic doctor, not the one in the sombrero.

What about a hybrid, or importing attitudes along with people to our land? Unfortunately, another yin-yang event, with the placid "con calma, tranquilo" folks come the "get the F out of my way ones who lean on the horn the instant the light turns green or go through a light 30 seconds after it turns red because that is the accepted practice in Monterrey. So, is East East and West West and never the twain shall meet? Or, do we have a chance to learn the good lessons of the third world without falling prey to the parts that my friends seem to forget? You know those parts...lack of consideration for others on the road or when playing the radio; not following our laws and not paying our taxes; and of course, not speaking our language (whatever the Hell that is now). Anyhow, it's time for my nap...now where's my damn sombrero?