Do you follow Roman tradition… or do you get out because you don’t like what’s going on there?
Put another way, if you’re somewhere, do you have to adopt (accept) the actions (traditions, lifestyle, mannerisms) of the place where you’re at, and act accordingly? Why/ why not?
© 2026 – SoulSequel
16 responses to “When in rome…”
Yes,I adapt to traditions of the area. I adapt until I get tired of adapting, then it is time for me to leave.
If I go to my forest property in Northern California, I visit Captain Jack’s Stronghold. I walk the pathway through the stronghold and pause here and there to envision what it was like for my Modoc ancestors to battle with the U.S. Cavalry there. There is no other place that I would walk that long of a path. I do it once and I am done. Time to go. —– why? To touch the memory of the Modoc War and the deaths of my Great Grandparents.
I get up at 5:30 am and dress warm and mosquito proofed, so that I can take a hot thermos of coffee and go sit in the tall grasses near the Lake at California Pines. I watch the geese form squadrons and take flight towards Goose Lake. There is no other place in the world where I am going to get out of bed at 5:30 am to sit in mosquito infested tall grass —- just to watch big honky Canadian Geese take flight. After I have spent one bug infested morning there in the tall grass, I am done and ready to go. —– Why? Because,when there are big honky-honky Canadian Geese gathering and taking flight in the sunrise, that is not to be missed.
On a trip to Iran during the Revolution, I wore a chador —- that all-over black covering, and I kept my hair under a scarf. If I was among Muslims, I got up off of my sleeping mat and went out for sunrise prayers at 6:00 am. I got on my knees and put my forehead to a prayer mat. Even though the rules for Baha’i prayers ask only for one prayer at noontime, I did not want to stick out in the crowd and look Baha’i in a country where Baha’is were being arrested and executed for being Baha’i. That got old really fast and I wanted out of Iran. The airports were closed to Baha’is and an Officer of the Revolutionary Army had taken away my passport. Without a passport, I had to escape through the badlands to get to Pakistan. Along the way, I adapted my clothing to blend in with the tribal people. When in Baluchistan, I dressed in white and slept in tents with the flock of sheep. I ate lizard and did whatever I needed to do to not be conspicuous. —– Why? Because Hasson, the man leading us out of Iran, was Baluchi and I wanted to not be rude to the family of my rescue guide. I did what it took to get out of there.
When in Germany, although drinking alcohol is forbidden in the Baha’i religion, the water was nasty and I am going to drink beer. —— Why? Because I got thirsty and needed to keep my body hydrated.
In an Oriental household, or a Persian household, I take off my shoes at the front door and leave them there until it is time to put them back on when leaving. While there, I do not eat with my left hand. —– Why? To show respect for the carpet and customs.
Yes, I do what I need to do to blend in and get the most out of the experience.
Although I have had gardens for years in California, I am taking classes in gardening in Arizona. —– Why??? Because growing plants in the hot desert is completely different from Sunny California. It is more like growing a garden on the surface of the sun.
@ladybarbara
I heard the whole left hand thing, for Krishnas, was because that’s the hand they wipe their butts with.
@luftballooneyegouge they need the invention of toilet paper and antibacterial soap.
@luftballooneyegouge Yes. In Iran they literally use the fingers of their left hand. They will rinse off their fingers in a sink, or water trickle, but for the most part they may wipe their fingers in the dirt or sand. They don’t always have toilet paper, but I would save any napkin I had and had an old napkin up my sleeve. Knowing that they use their fingers makes me not order fast food in a place that has a Middle Eastern food preparer. When a woman wants to shake hands by offering her left hand, I know it is an insult. Toilets there are a hole in the floor and the people come here and do not feel comfortable sitting on our toilets. They climb on top of the toilet seat and squat with their feet on the seat. Women will bring a bottle of water into the stall with them and rinse with the water, and rub with their fingers, rather than use the toilet paper. Then they leave their footprints on the toilet seat and water puddles all around the toilet on the floor. I would never touch the left hand of a Middle Eastern woman. I watch them take the arm of their boyfriends and it looks like she is wiping her left hand on his shirt. I just shake my head. Eeeeewww!
@ladybarbara
We could probably solve all these world problems with toilet paper and special force plumbers. Door to door raids where they kick in their doors and then do a bathroom remodel.
Eat Toilet Paper & Your Butt Will Wipe ITself
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Overall, I’m not a fan of traditions. If an individual or group has traditions, go for it as long as it harms no children or non-consenting adults. If a place has a demand for everyone to keep unneeded traditions, I’m going to have to step out.
It is kind of how different countries are treating those that wears hijabs. I hate when they are forced to wear it, but I also hate when there are those that try to force them to take them off. I think for America, the freedom of religion supersedes the opinions of people who want them to remove them. As for other countries, it is hard to watch them being forced to take them off (or made to keep them on.) Like with France and their beaches not allowing burkinis. It is dumb and unneeded.
I hate when traditions get involved in politics. Traditions usually come from religions, and they all need to get out of politics of every country. Changing traditions over time is also an option for countries that have them and won’t let them go. Countries evolve.
@yin What about in a world where things happened completely differently? Think of something like Disney’s Robin Hood (the anthropomorphic version) where herbivores and carnivores are the characters. In real life they’d have to be careful not to eat each other….
i do my best to do what is right
which sometimes means crossing a line i would other wise toe.
i am pretty much my own gal as in i dont follow the ways just because they are common. that being said i wouldnt put myself in danger to purposefully be different. i just know what i am comfortable with, i know who i am and i dont think compromise is a good way of life.
I chain-smoke cigarettes held by index & thumb and drink coffee concentrate outta little tiny cups in outdoor cafes wearing women’s sunglasses and skinny pointy shoes.
That’sa spicey meatball!
I think it all comes down to respect as it pertains to the intricate dance between hospitable host and gracious guest.
If both are allowing that the other may have different traditions beliefs, or ways of acting and thinking and can allow for it, everyone can benefit from the interaction.
But if there are any differences that cannot be reconciled through this dance, final say should go to the host; with the guest opting to either concede or leave the “home” that is not theirs.
@griz you know that responses on the internet are often viewed from home. Some of the responses you give, after I have asked you to “cease and desist” are, in fact, are unable to be reconciled with my beliefs, ideas, life in general and while a certain pushback, discussion, even argumentation may be seen as acceptable, after a point start to be problematic and are seen as too much and may, in reality, irrespective of intent, an “invasion.” I’m not saying totally “cut it out” – what I am saying is “cut it back!” Use *moderation* in your responses. Keep that in mind, will you?
@Jear77
I seem to remember you asking that only once. And I complied in that thread.
So am I denied return consideration because I almost always interact from mobile locations from all around North America — places that are not technically, “my home”?
But “message received”. In response, do you think there might be things in your responses you could tone it down a bit? You do seem to have a real hate-on for religion, trying to shovel it all off onto God for how people have often mistakenly chosen to “serve God”.
@griz turn around’s fair play. Agreed
When in Rome…I partied like it was 1599.
@immortal_pirate the question is was rome a city in that year?
@Jear77
1599B.C. No, Rome was not a city.
1599A.D. Yes, Rome was a city.