6. Uzbek exports
Regardless the title of this post, I am not going to talk about Uzbek economy here. Yet, I will talk about what I consider the most valuable thing Uzbekistan can offer to the world: sense of community.
I really enjoy traveling, but, except for Uzbekistan, I have only been to places in Europe, North and South America. Then, I can say for personal experience that I have never seen a culture that values family and community as much as the Uzbek culture.
Differently from other places, Uzbek people ask you how you are and the answer really matters. If you are not feeling well, they care and they will help you to feel better again.
The importance they give for the wellbeing of the other is something we should all import and add to our culture.
One of the ladies that was organizing the Summer School told me about her family tradition. She said that her whole family gets together monthly for a meal. Then, they talk to each other to have an idea of what is happening in their lives and if they need something. She told me that when someone needs money, all the others contribute and give this person the amount needed.
She also told me that when there is going to have a wedding – considered the biggest event in someone's life in the local culture – in the community, everyone helps to organize, plan and pay for it. She explained that the bride's brother may give more than a thousand US dollars for the wedding. It is a huge event for the whole community, another woman told our group that she had 1000 people in her wedding.
I was truly amazed about the importance they give for the community. During this trip, I found out that I lived the first year of university in the same building as Amy, who happened to be my roommate in the WIUT dorm – and I only met her in the airport before departing to Tashkent! We are always minding our own business in London, we barely see who is right beside us. Uzbekistan had taught us some great values we should adopt.
I really enjoy traveling, but, except for Uzbekistan, I have only been to places in Europe, North and South America. Then, I can say for personal experience that I have never seen a culture that values family and community as much as the Uzbek culture.
Differently from other places, Uzbek people ask you how you are and the answer really matters. If you are not feeling well, they care and they will help you to feel better again.
The importance they give for the wellbeing of the other is something we should all import and add to our culture.
One of the ladies that was organizing the Summer School told me about her family tradition. She said that her whole family gets together monthly for a meal. Then, they talk to each other to have an idea of what is happening in their lives and if they need something. She told me that when someone needs money, all the others contribute and give this person the amount needed.
She also told me that when there is going to have a wedding – considered the biggest event in someone's life in the local culture – in the community, everyone helps to organize, plan and pay for it. She explained that the bride's brother may give more than a thousand US dollars for the wedding. It is a huge event for the whole community, another woman told our group that she had 1000 people in her wedding.
I was truly amazed about the importance they give for the community. During this trip, I found out that I lived the first year of university in the same building as Amy, who happened to be my roommate in the WIUT dorm – and I only met her in the airport before departing to Tashkent! We are always minding our own business in London, we barely see who is right beside us. Uzbekistan had taught us some great values we should adopt.
Comments
Post a Comment