Near or Far

My knowledge about cross cultural interaction is very limited, but I often heard that culture is something which shapes someone and will remain with him wherever he is, untill someday he come accross what so called asimilation. Please correct me on this if I am wrong..

I come up with this topic because yesterday I and a bunch of friends from my country were busy making preparation for our participation in an international event here in our place. In Indonesia, working together in society is called as "gotong-royong" and is a common thing to do. Well, at least this culture is still preserved especially in small towns. When someone is having a big party to celebrate the daughter's marriage, for example, the neighbours will come voluntarily to help out. And so as when someone is having a funeral, having some gathering.. And oh, you can see this culture done more apparently during the celebration for independence day. People will work together to decorate the neighbourhood, to hold some games, and to have a big party.

I have been living by myself for quite sometime, and actually this "gotong royong" spirit in me has been fading. When I went home for a holiday and it happened to be at the same time with "gotong royong" moment, I would hesitately participated.  My mom always said that it's a good way to know our neighbours. But hey, who doesn't agree with me that working with people you know would be fun, and in contrast working with people you barely meet would need a great motivation? Especially when you have to face your neighbours' curiousity and answer their blatant questions about your boyfriend or your study or your career, or you have to hear those neighbours boasting their successful son or their newly born grandchild. Wew!!

But yesterday, I really cherished the culture. I enjoyed the moment I spent with my fellow countrymen, slicing the chicken while chatting and gossiping and teasing each other. It sent away my homesickness and loneliness and made me felt like at home.  I was thankful that somehow this "gotong royong" thing exist and still practised even though we are so far away from where this culture originated.

Source: http://www.alifmagz.com/2010/04/15/gotong-royong-demi-kebaikan-bersama/