What culture. nation, ethnicity, or any geographical or social category do you really get a kick out of, even though you have no direct relation to it?
Personally, I’m a big fan of anything Russian. If I had any money, I’d buy up all sorts of Soviet paraphernalia for decoration and sentimental value, and possibly frighten my friends and family into thinking I’m starting a communist revolution.
Keep in mind, I loathe the Communist ideology, think the Soviet Union was bloated, oppressive, and at times outright evil (Stalin killed 20-40 million people compared to Hitlers 6 million), but that doesn’t stop me from finding its propaganda, symbolism, terminology, and history, well… cool.
I read the title and thought, well obviously the OP is a Japan culture fan, how wrong could I be. Anyway…
I have always had an affinity for the Indian Hindu, and Sikh cultures, being born in Slough means I have known almost as many Indian cultured people as English cultured people. Sikh’s especially have always seemed great people, and their warrior herritage appeals in its similarity to my Scotish warrior herritage.
The Indian and Pakistani Muslim herritage was never as attractive to me, due to the dominance of their culture by their religion.
I have felt a love-hate relationship to the pre-war Japanese culture, I recognise and appreciate the similarity between Japan and England both being piratical Island states, but I also found Japanese culture to be full of extremes that I did not like.
Then I looked at my username and realized why that like seemed such a given to you. Heh. I suppose Japan could be considered my second choice, but though I do think it has that “coolness” factor, it doesn’t really inspire me to go out and hungrily learn and admire more about it than I already do, like my first choice does.
Caucasian. As in Chechnya, Dagestan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, etc., not as in Sweden. I think I was a Caucasian of some sort in a past life; it would explain a lot of things.
Arabic culture. Especially out in the desert regions. I am so absolutely fascinated by the customs, language, and day-to-day minutia of life in the desert. It’s not the politics, mind you, but rather the everyday mundane stuff.
The desert itself has always had a calling for me.
I don’t know if I would consider this a “culture,” but you said social category, so I guess it will fly. I sort of feel connected to gay men. If I believed in past lives, I would believe I was a gay boy. I’m a straight girl. I can’t explain it.
Japan. Not surprising, since I lived there as a child and spent most of my life in California and have thus been in contact with Japanese culture my entire life to some degree. Especially fascinated with the art and music (1.5 weeks to Zellerbach Taiko fest! w00t!).
I’m also in love with Indian cooking and literature.
Japan. Not surprising, since I lived there as a child and spent most of my life in California and have thus been in contact with Japanese culture my entire life to some degree. Especially fascinated with the art and music (1.5 weeks to Zellerbach Taiko fest! w00t!).
I’m also in love with Indian cooking and literature.
I lived in Japan when I was little. I still have an affinity for Japanese culture.
My first car was British. (Indeed, the first car I ever remember being in was a Triumph Herald.) And I’ve got a family history that goes back about 800 years on my father’s mother’s side. (Eight-times-great-grandfather was a cousin of the Archbishop of Centerbury about 400 years ago.) So I like English culture and traditions. (Gads, I wish Christmas crackers would catch on here!)
CaptBushido: A friend of mine is from Moscow. She’s incredibly attractive. They seem to be passionate people who are full of life. She told me once that I had a “Russian sense of humour.” Hm. Maybe I should look into one of those “Russian Bride” sites…?
Chinese culture. Grew up in Norcal with a couple of Asian kids at my school. No connection other than my father had fought in Asia in WW2 and Korea, and certainly he used different words to describe Asians than would be politically acceptable today.
I really get a kick out of Chinese culture. Speak Mandarin, wife is Shanghaiese, daughter dual national born in china that speaks better Mandarin than English, lived in Chinese countries for close to 15 years.
I am attracted to Japanese culture too, but less so. Parts of it I find cooler than Chinese, but I only lived there 2.5 years and my language skills are pretty basic.
So maybe I’ve pursued the differenent culture thing to a greater degree than most people
I come from a background that’s culturally-diverse enough that I don’t think I could easily sum up what “my own culture” is.
Nevertheless, I think obviously I have at least some affinity for Japanese culture. I’ve lived here for a number of years now. If it wasn’t for the internet, I wouldn’t use English at all, as far as foreigners go, I think I’m pretty well assimilated.
I think this has to do with my personal character being relatively compatible with Japanese society. To a certain extent, perhaps even more so than North American or European cultures. It has very little to do with liking, say, manga or traditional arts, or Kurosawa movies. It’s more about preferring introversion over extroversion, liking good food, valuing politeness, cleanliness, etc.
I have no “natural” connection to Ireland. The usual great-great-great-grandparent, but I never grew up knowing or caring about any Irish ancestry. Just fell in love with the country through a fascination with its history… and it now feels more like home than my native country does.
CaptBushido, your OP basically captures me in a nutshell. (well, the SN is obvious). I have had a fascination with different forms of socialism and communism for a while now. It started with Soviet Russia, and then I learned more about Chairman Mao, Pol Pot, Che and Castro, etc… I find communism utter nonsense, and the idea that people actually beleive communism to be an ideal fascinates me. I collect Soviet watches and would like to get more commie memorabilia!
I also have strong connection to Thailand and Egypt. Thailand I got interested in through Muay Thai kickboxing, but the way they’ve fought off invaders for hundreds of years is very admirable to me.
I am inexplicably attracted to Jewish culture. Not so much the religion, as I don’t really believe in any religion at all, but the culture and ethnic history and all that goes with being “Jewish.” I do not know why.
Scotland. The deep, rich history of this country fascinates me, and I really feel empathy for the trials and tribulations they have endured through the centuries.
Ironically, ancient Rome is another time and place I wish I had been a part of instead of just learning about it post mortem.
