“Respect the people who say dirty words.” This quote is my friend gave me as an advice many years ago. I know this does not make any sense for a lot of people but I think this advice dose make sense, at least in Taiwan. I take this advice into my heart for the story that my friend told me many years ago, and this story was revealing the harsh social impacts on many Taiwanese forty years ago.
Before 1960s, Taiwan was a developing country, and most Taiwanese at that time were farmers or unskilled workers. They received low incomes and had to sustain their families. Moreover, they faced random problems all the time. For example, workers might be laid off without being given any notification because in 1960s, related laws had many defects, so they could not protect workers’ rights. What could they do? They could not do anything but said dirty words to express their sorrows. This culture reflects Taiwanese past, and those people pasted this seemingly bad culture to their children and grandchildren. Thus, I think that this is a rude but memorable behavior reflecting the struggles of Taiwanese.
In Taiwan, most people would think the people who say dirty words are low class and uneducated. Actually, before my friend told me this story, I also looked down on those people. However, I have a different attitude toward them now, and this enables me to make more good friends. For instance, when I was in army, I knew many good friends who liked to say dirty words, and they were all generous and kind people. Although they might not receive good education, their personalities were as good as those who were well educated, sometime even better. Therefore, if I kept my original attitude, I would lose chances to know these great people. Consequently, the advice does work.
In the bible, there is a similar sentence like the advice. In fact, most people tend to looking down on others who are not rich and well-educated, nor have any power. We know that it's not good, but many people including me are likely to keep the bad attitude. Indeed, it's not easy for people to practice something good, is it?
Interesting. Do you mean 'slang words' or 'vulgarities' - like the many words we have in English?
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice friend!
ReplyDeleteEven though people graduate from famous universities and they have alot of money, it does not mean they have good characters.
we have to become well-educated and thoughtful people.
In the bible, there is a similar sentence like the advice. In fact, most people tend to looking down on others who are not rich and well-educated, nor have any power. We know that it's not good, but many people including me are likely to keep the bad attitude. Indeed, it's not easy for people to practice something good, is it?
ReplyDelete