In the USA, it is a norm for toilet bowls to be covered after use. This is politeness performed with the next user in mind to indicate the bowl is fit for use and in order the next person may not faint at the smell,
In Asia, it is a norm for toilet bowls not to be covered after use. This is performed with the males in mind, so that reckless aiming may not stain the seater for the next user, and in order to reveal the condition before use.
In a place where the two cultures meet, however, different responses take place.
To the Asian, when a toilet bowl is covered, what immediately takes place is a feeling of distaste, and what comes to mind is a likely soiled and dirty toilet bowl hidden behind the cover, possibly containing unflushed waste or jammed-up materials, or spills of blood stains within. What comes next is therefore expectable; a move away to another bowl, or a flushing before lifting the cover, or the time for reality call.
To the American, when a toilet bowl is uncovered, it means a lack of manners, or an act of inconsideration for the next user, or worst, the shock of a seater cover spilled with urine and the content in the bowl unflushed.
Such are the cultural shocks we have to face in a world with cross cultural mix. If you have in mind a plan to live anywhere else other than your hometown, you must therefore be prepared and get accustomed to the new culture before you take the plunge.
Ideologies of the East and the West differ greatly in the way values are measured. What is seen as unacceptable in Asia may be seen as normal to other parts of the world, especially in countries that practise a liberal media system.
Take the example of feedback received on what I wrote about "Age of Deteriorating Morals", which concerns an underage viewing pornographic anime onboard public transport through a portable video player (PVP). Comments from Asians expressed shock and unbelief, while a westerner said the child is just being curious and experimental.
"This is a reality and yet so difficult to believe ... Indeed, this development is getting to be very alarming," says a blogger from Malaysia.
"Totally agree ... very irresponsible parents," says another blogger writing from Singapore.
"... what is shocking to you may have been due to your own perception of when is the right age to come into sex-related stuffs," says an anonymous blogger commenting on the topic in a blog hosted in America.
"I don't believe there is an actual right age to start experimenting with sex," the anonymous blogger continues. "Children will be children. They will be curious and tempted to experiment ... For all you know, most of them probably find it thrilling for a few days but gradually become uncomfortable with the game after that."
In another blog I wrote concerning the dangers of unhealthy practices of voyeurism and pornography hosted in the United States not too long ago, the feedback I received shows conclusively the difference between the value system of the west and the oriental.
"I think it would be immoral not to be turned on by pornography," says an anonymous commenter on my blog. "I think being sexually aroused by images of others is an expression of human empathy; of identifying oneself with one's fellow human beings. I can't see any wrong with that at all. Quite the opposite. "
"I don't reckon there's anything wrong at all with a bit hardcore movie slap and tickle," says an Australian lady. "Me and my bloke ... watch it all the time and we get bonza ideas from it."
From the comments above, we can see that moral perception of right and wrong is seldom the same across different cultures. What we perceive as right or wrong however does not matter, because we are all of a fallen race requiring salvation. For the Bible says:
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23 NAS)
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NAS)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23 NAS)
"... if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:9-10 NAS)
In the USA, it is a norm for toilet bowls to be covered after use. This is politeness performed with the next user in mind to indicate the bowl is fit for use and in order the next person may not faint at the smell,
