“Would those of you in the cheaper seats clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewelry”. John Lennon
Ok, perhaps times have changed slightly, however even back in the 60’s I cannot think that mens jewelry rattled much. Mind you, I suppose if they wore a couple of peace signs???
HSBC stepped on many people’s toes when they launched a set of adverts about cultures. They irritated the Mexicans when a European went to Latin America and found a lack of space, they irritated the Chinese with the European eating the Eel, and they irritated the Maltese with the wedding favors adverts where the guests take the presents! Needless to say some adverts were barely shown…. the number of complaints received was high. They stepped on peoples toes. Their idea was to try to reduce the cultural gap but with the fact that they were actually oblivious to the true cultural differences - they messed up big time.
They took cultural traditions and (possibly without intending too) made fun of cultural differences. Would that not also fall under racism?
I find that the importance of family is no longer as strong as it used to be or in my opinion as strong as it should be. A family can offer such a strong support system, yet rather than encourage the family unit, the government actually discourages it.
If you are a single parent you have increased benefits from the government such as extra finances and more points to gain a council house. If you live with your extended family, you get nothing.
You watch TV and see programs where people sell their family heirlooms to go on a holiday or because they want the latest TV or for some other materialistic item! It makes me wonder how little people appreciate their family.
Personally, I believe that family is important. It offers me emotional security and a support system. I really could not manage without my family. It is bad when people do not have family but when people chose to shun their family… that is sad.
I have been passed down family heirlooms and they mean the world to me. And although I may never have personally known my great grand mother, having a keepsake of hers, like a silver locket or photograph, gives me that connection to her. As for my children, they have been named after family members. I feel it is a small sign of respect to the people who made me who I am and helped in my children’s upbringing. My father always said, “a child’s education begins 20 years before they are born”. It took me many years to understand it. But essentially it means that the child’s future will be a result of her previous ancestors!
Like them or not… family are part of you… and should be respected. You cannot hope to respect yourself if you cannot respect your family!
