why cambodia?
why cambodia?
as a khmer american, i wonder.. why did you all choose cambodia of all places? i've never lived there but i've visited twice.. and felt scared most of the time.. the lack of security.. the ridiculous amount of corruption.. seeing extreme poverty everyday.. even sending a letter takes a big effort.. how do you deal with that on a daily basis?
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- Doctor Seuss
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You seem to have somewhat rose colored glasses.Doctor Seuss wrote:I love the people, the culture and the fact that it isnt based on a consumerist society
Are you sure that definition 3 of consumerism does not apply to many people in Cambodia and in Phnom Penh, in particular?
con·sum·er·ism P Pronunciation Key (k n-s m -r z m)
n.
1. The movement seeking to protect and inform consumers by requiring such practices as honest packaging and advertising, product guarantees, and improved safety standards.
2. The theory that a progressively greater consumption of goods is economically beneficial.
3. Attachment to materialistic values or possessions: deplored the rampant consumerism of contemporary society.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=consumerist
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Yes, I am positive.
I'm not saying that people in Asia arent interested in buying things, but no, they do not rely on purchasing for their happiness.
I lived in Asia for nearly 4 years. After returning to western lifestyle, the one big difference that I noticed was the way that we lead our lives.
In Cambodia, family and friends and relationships are important. Spare time is spent with these things.
In the west, its all spending money. People go shopping in their spare time, meet for coffee and dinner, .. everything is based on spending money. I was trying to save money, and found that I couldnt do anything without spending money. The whole of our society is geared to spending money, and if you are not consuming, then you are not living.
I don't have rose coloured glasses. I just appreciate a more simple and basic lifestyle.
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I'm not saying that people in Asia arent interested in buying things, but no, they do not rely on purchasing for their happiness.
I lived in Asia for nearly 4 years. After returning to western lifestyle, the one big difference that I noticed was the way that we lead our lives.
In Cambodia, family and friends and relationships are important. Spare time is spent with these things.
In the west, its all spending money. People go shopping in their spare time, meet for coffee and dinner, .. everything is based on spending money. I was trying to save money, and found that I couldnt do anything without spending money. The whole of our society is geared to spending money, and if you are not consuming, then you are not living.
I don't have rose coloured glasses. I just appreciate a more simple and basic lifestyle.
.
Well said Dr Seuss.
One day the economic house of cards will collapse and consumerism will cease to exist in it's current form; somehow I think the mentality of the majority of Khmers will enable them to better cope with such a situation.
Why do people associate materialistic gain with happiness? Probably because of constant "brain washing" though advertising I suspect.
Cambodia's pretty good. I'd much rather live on the opposite side of the world to George Bush's police state; the land of false freedom where you're lulled into a sence of security whilst your personal and civil rights are being stripped away.
On another topic - I still don't understand why so many Khmers like America after it dropped 580 000 tonnes of bomb on this place during the Vietnam war.
At least on the streets of Cambodia you can get a smile out of people; and believe it or not many will be glad to help you out - they're far friendlier people. I would argue that PP is actually safer in some respects than some western cities. As for corruption; sure it exists here but it exists in many other places as well. You eventually get used to the way things happen; but when you come from in a society of convienience you'll find it frustrating initially.
Cambodia helps you to appreciate the simple and important things in life.
Still though; I think most people need a break from Cambodia from time to time.
One day the economic house of cards will collapse and consumerism will cease to exist in it's current form; somehow I think the mentality of the majority of Khmers will enable them to better cope with such a situation.
Why do people associate materialistic gain with happiness? Probably because of constant "brain washing" though advertising I suspect.
Cambodia's pretty good. I'd much rather live on the opposite side of the world to George Bush's police state; the land of false freedom where you're lulled into a sence of security whilst your personal and civil rights are being stripped away.
On another topic - I still don't understand why so many Khmers like America after it dropped 580 000 tonnes of bomb on this place during the Vietnam war.
At least on the streets of Cambodia you can get a smile out of people; and believe it or not many will be glad to help you out - they're far friendlier people. I would argue that PP is actually safer in some respects than some western cities. As for corruption; sure it exists here but it exists in many other places as well. You eventually get used to the way things happen; but when you come from in a society of convienience you'll find it frustrating initially.
Cambodia helps you to appreciate the simple and important things in life.
Still though; I think most people need a break from Cambodia from time to time.
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--- most khmer people i met seem to have extraordinarily ability to see things beyong my, or anyone' eles, comprehension. some usa khmers told me they only visit thailand and didn't dare to fly/cross to cambodia because it's still so dangerous and the country can erupt into shooting war anytime. they act like they are from another planet when seeing people chewing fried crickets ewwwwwwww. at one time, some of the khmers living in southern cal escaped to stockton area because of the eminent earthquake that no one knew about it, including cal tech scientists whose job is to track earthquake activity; i was dumb founded when i got to school that the teachers asked me what happen to their khmer students!Alpha wrote:as a khmer american, i wonder.. why did you all choose cambodia of all places? i've never lived there but i've visited twice.. and felt scared most of the time.. the lack of security.. the ridiculous amount of corruption.. seeing extreme poverty everyday.. even sending a letter takes a big effort.. how do you deal with that on a daily basis?
i wish i can get away from dubya too.. i am far from the "america is perfect" aka the extreme patriotic type.. those types of cambodians who worship america bug me too.. but at least here, i can say whatever i want about dubya and not be afraid that i'll disappear in the middle of the night. i'm not a fan of the current administration but after going to cambodia, i definitely appreciate the security and rights that i'm guaranteed.Me Again wrote:Well said Dr Seuss.
One day the economic house of cards will collapse and consumerism will cease to exist in it's current form; somehow I think the mentality of the majority of Khmers will enable them to better cope with such a situation.
Why do people associate materialistic gain with happiness? Probably because of constant "brain washing" though advertising I suspect.
Cambodia's pretty good. I'd much rather live on the opposite side of the world to George Bush's police state; the land of false freedom where you're lulled into a sence of security whilst your personal and civil rights are being stripped away.
On another topic - I still don't understand why so many Khmers like America after it dropped 580 000 tonnes of bomb on this place during the Vietnam war.
At least on the streets of Cambodia you can get a smile out of people; and believe it or not many will be glad to help you out - they're far friendlier people. I would argue that PP is actually safer in some respects than some western cities. As for corruption; sure it exists here but it exists in many other places as well. You eventually get used to the way things happen; but when you come from in a society of convienience you'll find it frustrating initially.
Cambodia helps you to appreciate the simple and important things in life.
Still though; I think most people need a break from Cambodia from time to time.
maybe i think cambodia is unsafe because i am a girl.. i think cambodia promotes a culture of rape and as a girl, i dont have the same freedom that you all enjoy while living in cambodia.. what is a female expat's experience like?
I think that you will get a few people kicking back against this statement... The current administrations policies promote poverty, which in turn promotes crime and violence... The Patriot Act is one of the biggest, and unnecessary attacks on individual rights ever to be dreamt up...Alpha wrote:i'm not a fan of the current administration but after going to cambodia, i definitely appreciate the security and rights that i'm guaranteed.
I think that the security and rights that you appreciate are more closely related to the relative prosperity of America compared to a country like Cambodia... still, there are many first world countries where both your rights and security are both better protected, and a direct result of government policy and actions...
I will leave this to people who know a whole lot more about Cambodia that I to respond. IMO rape occurs in almost all societies, however in poorer societies where the rule of law is diluted by corruption, and education is limited it does seem to be more prevalent. I would hope that the culture does not promote it though, but rather does not respond in the way we hope they would (such as a good old lynch mob)...Alpha wrote:i think cambodia promotes a culture of rape and as a girl,
Cheers,
Daewoo
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