When
I was much younger I knew that someday I would have liked to travel. The
thought of different people, languages, traditions, architecture, foods,
celebrations, weather, religions among many other things has always and
continue to fascinate me.
My
first trip to Great Britain was an eye opening one. I had secretly feared that
based on my ethnicity and race I would be the victim of discrimination.
Fuelling these thoughts were articles that I had read and other media. At that
point in time I was willing to accept any abuse that came my way, not welcoming
it, but understanding that, that was the mindset of many people in this world –
that they fear or are uncomfortable with anything that is different and foreign
and often feel threatened and can lash out verbally and/ or otherwise in the
attempt to protect and hold on to their own beliefs and their core being.
Having experienced discrimination personally in my home land Trinidad and
Tobago, a country that boasts diversity and living together harmoniously,
served no comfort to me, as I was about to step into the domain of a people
predominantly Caucasian.
I
had heard much about the peoples of the U.K. and their culture, many good
things and I had found that also I possessed many traits and etiquette
practiced there without being conscious of being taught those values here. I
believe that I was especially influenced by the novels and period films that I
occupied my time with religiously. My upbringing too, one of respect for
elders, practising pleasantries, being polite, quiet, learning to appreciate
differences and becoming fascinated with them, learning and being exposed to a
variety of world music, universal principles that in my mind many of the major
religions shared, eating habits and one that stayed with me till now the
pronunciation and emphasis placed on language.
My
own background and upbringing was enough to allow me to plunge into the world
of the British seamlessly. Upon arriving there I immediately felt that I had
arrived home, I felt a strange comfort, a burst of life, the air there was a
perfect match to my lungs! Maybe I was in a book I had read, the brick
pathways, the chimneys, the detailed rustic houses, the grime, the rail, the
rain, the smells!! – they all bombarded me, my mind and eyes were overwhelmed
yet I had never felt a calm as I did standing in the chilly December air.
The
friendly faces? The smiles? The good mornings and nods!! Were they being
directed towards me? I did smile back and waved and nodded and it all seemed so
natural. The answer is yes. In my experience the British people are extremely
friendly indeed. They do not kiss very much though, unless they are very
familiar with you or relatives. I am not a kisser either so that was great! I
was suddenly relieved, I am glad to say also, in the month that I stayed till
this day I am yet to sense the warning of bad will or word coming from a person
of British origin. Reading about it and actually being there, living English-
like temporarily, there is a drastic difference. I was about to have a major
culture shock! The queuing ! such order and patience and understanding of this
system of lining up and awaiting ones turn, especially in a major city like
London still floors me today. In England one automatically lines up for
everything, to get a taxi was one particularly refreshing experience of order
and efficiency. Compared to Trinidad when people stand in mobs awaiting the
next available seat on a maxi or bus, with jostling and no regard for the
elderly or for who was waiting for the longest time.
Walking
down the street in the city one is often greeted with a smile and good morning,
a nod, something I wish was much more common in Trinidad. Judgemental stares and bickering are not
commonplace there, people in my opinion showed appreciation and respect for
each other despite age, ethnicity, attire, gender, religion or sexual
orientation. Never once did I feel mocked, unfairly treated or judged. One must stand to the left of an escalator,
or use the left side if heading up and or down stairs to avoid collisions, the
right may be used for persons wanting to overtake. Persons standing on the side
not recommended are frowned upon. I was well able to adhere and adapt and
appreciate the method and recognise the efficiency the practice brought about.
As to avoid any of those rare undesirable stares.
Food,
the British take their food seriously, especially breakfast, usually having
eggs and toast jams, biscuits, teas, sausages, rolls, pancakes et.c. it is a
breakfast I would recommend for everyone. I had the good fortune to be taken
out to a pub, drinking can be done at any time of day and night; I favoured an
apple cider called Strongbow, delicious! It was actually a quite English drink.
Both men and women would mingle and drink and eat and laugh and be merry within
the walls of the pub, it seemed to be the almost favourite past time of the
English. On the streets however, given it were just a regular day, loud talking
and disturbances on the street are not welcomed readily. The U.K. is also
vastly ethnically diversified, hence a great array of foods and delicacies were
available to be enjoyed. Being adventurous and hailing from a place of much
diversity as well I jumped right in and had Indian, Italian, Chinese, Tai,
English, Caribbean and I even had doubles!! A great treat. The foods were quite
different though from the way it is prepared and served here. However it did
have many similar qualities regarding the spices used and the portions I felt
were just about what we would have here if not slightly larger. My face and
stomach was very delighted indeed.
I
was lucky to be in the U.K. on New Year’s Day, their customs are much like
ours, many family gatherings, resolutions being made, friendship and loved ones
who have passed on are remembered. The revelry happens a lot on the streets; at
least that is where I was. Drinking and merriment and singing and holding hands
and a general vibe of hope and a new beginning saturate the air. It was an
overwhelming and joyous event. Other traditions like Christmas are very much
like our own here in Trinidad. Gender and sexual orientation matters not there,
at a glance around one could see families, same sex couples, the singles, and
transgender people from all walks of life living and interacting and loving. It
is my true hope that one day our beloved Trinidad and Tobago will too be as
open minded and accepting and grow to appreciate our differences in a truer
fuller way.
There
are many churches; their own parliament is situated next to the Westminster
Abbey, where many royal events and marriages take place. The predominant
religion is Christianity; however there exists a substantial population of
Muslims, Hindus and Jewish peoples, among others. In my opinion the British are extremely patriotic,
to them England and their traditions and culture are the best and they would
defend it down to their last. Also I wish to say that despite being very
protective and adamant about their love for country, they are yet willing and
open to and enjoy the benefits of having a mix of ethnicities and traditions
melt into each other, accepting and making it a part of themselves and their
country as a whole. This to me is extraordinary.
The
monarchy still holds a special place in their hearts. Since they are very much
steeped in tradition and order and custom and quaintness they have a love for
the monarchy and its function. They are also very vocal about freedom and human
rights. If they have a problem you would be sure to know. They may not burn
tires and block roadways, though it has been done, they usually prefer a more
organised, quiet, intellectual discussion/ debate type setting. All this
emphasises there need to be polite, proper and organised. All qualities I
strongly admire and attempt to demonstrate.
It may not seem like it but the English know
how to have a good time, they can range from quiet scandalous to reserved, but
to me both spectrums are equally exciting. Theatre, plays, live musical shows
are what the Londoners occupy their night hours with. I had the great fortune
of squeezing in 4 plays while I was there. There tickets can vary drastically
in price and just like bread in Trinidad get sold out in the blink of an eye.
Late stragglers are not permitted to enter the hall till there is an intermission
as to not disturb other viewing members, noise and flash photograph is not
allowed. The calibres of the performances were mind blowing to me. I long for
the day that these social type events become more rampant here in Trinidad.
Instead of the typical American type movie screen, popcorn settings we are
forced to endure. On the flipside, drink is always flowing, music is loud, the
lights are hypnotizing and clothing may or may not be optional (depending on where you go and on which side
of the city you are on). I must comment quickly that taxi fares are quiet expensive!
The
English are quiet humorous people, usually. Most people may not agree because
the use of slang and jargon are used quiet extensively, particularly in a
relaxed social setting. I did my homework and learnt the English lexicon as
best I could. Communication is essential to them, everything has to be spelt
out and clear. On the tube (rail) for
example, there is an automated voice that informs of the upcoming stop, the
places of interest around it, maybe some history about the place, offers
possible connection routes to and about the town and other towns close by, it
reminds you of the time and also my favourite “mind the gap” meaning please pay
careful attention to the gap between the train and the station platform as one
is exiting or entering. There was even the unfortunate event when someone had
purposefully jumped onto the tracks and had been killed and we were spared no
detail as to how and when it happened; also kindly informing us that the
service will come to a stop here and we may disembark, minding the gap off
course. Once While I was on a bus, a man of east Indian descent started
talking, he was standing very close to me, he was going on in Hindi, to my
surprised he was actually talking to me! I smiled and attempted to explain I
could not understand all of what he was saying, and that I spoke English. For
the rest of the journey I got the entire story of how his ancestors were the
ones who came and built the roadways and certain infrastructure. I was able to
understand him because he miraculously switched to a proper English tongue. I
had to exist, before him unfortunately I could not take up on his offer to
visit his home and meet with his family. It is also at this time that I
realised that not many people know where Trinidad is located but have a great
love for Brian Lara and cricket.
The
people there are also very fashionable. As one walks along the street one is
met by a range from very conservative to traditional to very risqué clothing.
They can be sharp and crisp and professional, of religious garb or loud and
revealing or just plain tacky. I appreciate this because it gives everyone an
opportunity to showcase their own individual style and statement. No one seems
to be bothered by this. Everyone is greeted equally, or ignored just the same.
Unlike Trinidad where one feels and it is usually so that one is being
scrutinized and judged based on dress among other things. In this regard men
and women are also equals and also equally expressive.
What
have I learnt about their culture? Many
things. I have a renewed embracing, opened mind, a great respect for order and
organisation. Much appreciation for mixed and diverse populations. Greater
fondness of the arts and world music. An insatiable appetite for exotic foods.
The ability to adapt, be polite and certain etiquette recognised as proper to
the English standard. I have learnt that if one practises tolerance and
acceptance all can benefit and live happily or as best as one can.
In
my view to conclude, I have utmost respect and appreciation for each and every
one of my fellow Earth member, I endeavour to understand and allow within
reason their practices and beliefs. I think this world would be a very dull
place indeed if we did not have differences. Perhaps less war and suffering,
would also exist if we would just realise that we all want the same things,
love is a major one of those things, which I believe makes the world go around.
I will live my life striving to attain peace, won’t you?
