Comments on: London mid-way for civility http://philobiblon.co.uk/?p=1350 Green politics, history (particularly women's history) science and books. Always feminist Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:45:27 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Natalie Bennett http://philobiblon.co.uk/?p=1350&cpage=1#comment-2565 Natalie Bennett Tue, 20 Jun 2006 22:56:15 +0000 http://philobiblon.co.uk/?p=1350#comment-2565 I think some aspects of it could reasonably considered universal - holding the door open is civility that does, or should, transcend cultural boundaries, but I agree "thank you" is an inappropriate test. I'd add something like a person on crutches trying to get on a bus, and an elderly person carrying a heavy bag - things that I think of as real signs of civilisation if people help strangers in obvious need. And even if you did that actually, I suspect the results would be rather similar, based on my own experiences. Almost no one helps you in Asia if you're struggling, unless they expect to make money out of you. I think some aspects of it could reasonably considered universal – holding the door open is civility that does, or should, transcend cultural boundaries, but I agree “thank you” is an inappropriate test.

I’d add something like a person on crutches trying to get on a bus, and an elderly person carrying a heavy bag – things that I think of as real signs of civilisation if people help strangers in obvious need.

And even if you did that actually, I suspect the results would be rather similar, based on my own experiences. Almost no one helps you in Asia if you’re struggling, unless they expect to make money out of you.

]]> By: Ally McLesbian http://philobiblon.co.uk/?p=1350&cpage=1#comment-2559 Ally McLesbian Tue, 20 Jun 2006 16:27:33 +0000 http://philobiblon.co.uk/?p=1350#comment-2559 I'm not surprised by the results... It's just not very common to say "thank you" in Asia. I think the poll is really meaningless, since it ignores the cultural differences. I’m not surprised by the results… It’s just not very common to say “thank you” in Asia.

I think the poll is really meaningless, since it ignores the cultural differences.

]]> By: Heo Cwaeth http://philobiblon.co.uk/?p=1350&cpage=1#comment-2556 Heo Cwaeth Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:44:27 +0000 http://philobiblon.co.uk/?p=1350#comment-2556 Wow, beaten by Berlin! Now, I love Berlin, but perfect strangers in that city will go out of their way to inform you of your physical and/or fashion flaws as you pass each other on the street. Wow, beaten by Berlin! Now, I love Berlin, but perfect strangers in that city will go out of their way to inform you of your physical and/or fashion flaws as you pass each other on the street.

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