Is this a common belief?

[Ricemarine]

Wondering about that. At a ceremony for my grandma, my uncles walked by and didn't say a single word. Thus, I decided to greet them, in which they responded that it was necessary that "I must always take the first step to greet my 'elders, not the other way around'."

Common?
Asian-oriented belief?

 

[Crono]

Sounds like it's specific to a different culture, not an American belief or tradition.

 

[dighn]

definitely sounds asian but when I visit my relatives in China they aren't like that. sounds like you have some stuck-up and very traditional uncles.

 

[Baked]

I don't greet anybody at family gatherings. I make them initiate contact, then I just nod my head. Yes, I'm Asian.

 

[ChanHo78]

my uncles are assholes so I don't go out of my way to talk to them

 

[TridenT]

Not American.

 

[Buttzilla]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Wondering about that. At a ceremony for my grandma, my uncles walked by and didn't say a single word. Thus, I decided to greet them, in which they responded that it was necessary that "I must always take the first step to greet my 'elders, not the other way around'."

Common?
Asian-oriented belief?

Filial Piety

 

[BlueAcolyte]

Doesn't sound like anything I've heard of... I'm Chinese.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: TridenT
Not American.

Does not happen this way at any of my (German American) family reunions.

 

[magomago]

I think its about respect....if there are elders around, even if I'm not going to hang with them, i'll go talk to them for a little and see how they are doing

 

[Perknose]

Not necessarily American. Hell, you can't keep my jolly Uncle Pbear away from the kiddies.

 

[Lean L]

yes asian tradition. seems to me a way to falsely proclaim superority

 

[Insomniator]

The whole elders are always right and always superior thing is a major problem with Asian culture IMO. My korean GF can't fucking stand it, instead of actual respect it creates fear and frustration.

 

[irishScott]

Nope. My mom's from the Bible belt and our family reunions are huge. I get greeted by old people I'm supposed to know but have never met.

And "respect your elders" in general is bullshit once a person reaches a certain maturity level, which for many of us is a fairly young age. I respect people based on who they are what they do. The fact that you were born a few decades before I was means nothing.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Buttzilla
Filial Piety

Ooo... very nice... never knew that

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: irishScott
Nope. My mom's from the Bible belt and our family reunions are huge. I get greeted by old people I'm supposed to know but have never met.

And "respect your elders" in general is bullshit once a person reaches a certain maturity level, which for many of us is a fairly young age. I respect people based on who they are what they do. The fact that you were born a few decades before I was means nothing.

There's a huge difference between what you believe and how you act in 'public.' Public being the prevailing cultural setting for a particular time and place. Unless you want to be the poster child for "Ugly American," you adapt to fit the society of the people around you. It's called "playing the game" and, unfortunately, the vast majority of 'youts' don't get it.

 

[waffleironhead]

<-------- ignoring you till you introduce yourself

 

[darkxshade]

Some people would consider this custom a godsend. I mean who really wants to chat it up with old people?

 

[Leros]

I'm white and grew up with mostly white people.

When going to a white friends house, their parents would either:
1) Run away and hide in their bedrooms
or
2) Make the initiative of introducing themselves and talking to us.

So I've grown up assuming that older people take the initiative.

Now, I started dating a Filipino girl and I did the same thing when I met her family and when I was at one of their Filipino parties. I was actually kind of sad/mad that nobody came up to introduce themselves to me. However, it turns out that in their culture younger people are supposed to take the initiative and introduce themselves. She just thought I was being shy and didn't even think to tell me since she would never think any other way.

So my take on the whole thing: Its a cultural difference. Be careful.

 

[EGGO]

All of my Indian, Chinese, Filipino and German families don't do this to me.

 

[TallBill]

Not a tradition in my family. Everyone gets up and greets everyone when anyone shows up. Same with goodbyes at the end.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: iamanidiot
yes asian tradition. seems to me a way to falsely proclaim superority

The Korean Language has around three different ways of addressing people.

1 way for addressing inferiors

1 way for addressing equals

1 way for addressing superiors

And on top of that there is a whole methodology to the way people speak to each other depending on class.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
Some people would consider this custom a godsend. I mean who really wants to chat it up with old people?

Old people are very interesting, have great stories, and, most importantly, can give you great advice.

Old people rock.

 

[StageLeft]

Not Scottish. And if it's not Scottish, it's CRAP!

 

[Howard]

I think you just have shitty relatives.