In hindsight, I might have elaborated a little more, but I think I covered the bases. My blog post on http://aopinionatedman.com/category/project-o/ was one of 120 posts from all over the world. It has been quite interesting to see the opinions and experiences of other cultures.
What do you think? Does where and how you “were raised” by your family affect your opinion?
Project O – Article #111: Diane Valerius Radel – Florida, USA (Scheduled for 9 – 28 @ 01:00)
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Question 1: Please provide a window into who you are, some background information in a not too overwhelming profile here. I am allowing you as the writer to immediately connect with your audience so take advantage. Remember the point of ordering these questions is to arrange this project so it is easy for comparison and not to constrain you as the writer. Write as long as you need to for each question to get your point across just remember not to lose the reader.
After raising children, and being homemaker for the past 32 years, I am trading in my paint spattered t-shirts and shorts for blouses and dress pants, as I’m about to re-enter the full-time 9-5 work force in two weeks (YIKES!). I have operated my own business, executing faux finishes, murals and furniture restoration for the last twenty years. This allowed me to earn a salary, while setting my own hours, and fulfilling my need to be creative and play with color. As a rookie author and blogger about crazy families, I will be playing with words in my spare time, and reading the many humorous and thought provoking blogs (such as this one) I have stumbled across.
Question 2: If you haven’t already done so please provide your country of origin, whether you are male or female, an age would be nice, and where you currently live if that differs from the country of origin. If you are in America this might be a nice time to explain what state you are from. Also try to give us a brief view of your current neighborhood and what it is like in as specific terms as you like. Why is this important? I believe our surroundings and where we come from have a strong impact on our development of opinions. It would also be highly likely that depending on the safety of the country might also determine how willing one is to express their opinions aloud. Does sex also have something to do with this, as well as age? These are all characteristics that can definitely affect a person’s outlook.
I am a female, born in northern Kentucky in the United States, which is really considered the Cincinnati, Ohio area, 56 years ago. The white sand and beautiful beaches on the Gulf Coast of Florida beckoned, so we left the nice mid-western culture and gray, dreary days and headed south to raise our three daughters. We live in a large, gated community, with mostly transplanted Floridians, so I am fortunate not to have to worry about safety in my daily life.
Question 3: Recount the first time you remember having a differing opinion from someone significantly older than you. Do you remember what the topic was about? Did you voice your opinion or hold it to yourself?The first incident that I recall questioning someone significantly older than me was when I was 6 or 7 years old. My parents were both Christians, but different organized religions. I was in a Sunday School-type class where the teacher was telling the class that only that particular religion would go to Heaven. I remember saying that statement couldn’t be true, because it meant only my father could go to Heaven while my mother, who was also a good person, would not be “allowed.” I don’t remember what drivel the teacher said after that, only that she tried to convince me that her statement was correct. I do remember coming home quite upset, and never wanting to go back to that class or particular church again.
Question 4: What levels of respect were practiced around you when you were a child? Was there bowing involved, handshakes, “yes Sirs and yes Ma’am’s,” or some other equivalent respectfulness in your culture’s tongue? Is an honorific given to someone older than you and do you often respect and practice that? How might the culture you were brought up in have affected the growth of your own opinions?
My sister and I were raised to say “Yes/No Sir and Ma’am,” and call everyone Mr. and Mrs., while my children were taught to address adults that way, unless they were friends and close acquaintances. For example: they were to address them as “Miss Nancy,” even though Nancy might be married. Even though the titles were different, the respect for elders was certainly there.
Question 5: How traveled are you and to what degree do you keep up with international news? You might also provide an educational background if you wish and if that education was gained from somewhere other than your current location. How available is the news and what goes on in the outside world to you in your country?
While growing up in Kentucky, we so looked forward to our once a year camping trip somewhere in the state. Never in my wildest dreams, did I ever imagine myself fortunate enough to travel with my husband on business trips and seminars all over the United States, and to Bermuda, Canada, London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin and Munich. These trips have greatly enriched our family’s lives. Besides the usual tourist locations, we always tried to find little, out-of-the-way places that served indigenous food where we could chat with the locals. We keep up with the world news via newspapers, news channels and the internet. What goes on in other countries should be important to every country.
Question 6: If you could share an opinion on a single international incident or topic that you either feel strongly about or that might not be known to the rest of the world what would it be? You have our attention.
Unfortunately, my first reaction upon hearing the news is usually sadness. Thinking of the past recent “big” headlines, with the exception of Prince George’s birth (Yay for you Britain!) and Miley Cyrus (Ugh-this shouldn’t even be a headline), my heart breaks for all the victims of war, repression, and tragedy.
Question 8: Is it ever right for you to be allowed an opinion while someone else is denied that same right on the same topic?
We must be allowed to express an opinion, even though others are denied that right. In doing so, we could possibly bring about some change in the thinking of those who would suppress others, a proverbial “light bulb going on”, if you will.
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