Sonyadora: I don’t think I’ve ever been to Cost Plus. I liked the selection from Absolutely Crackers better than the selection at the local British shop.
I am fascinated by the clothing worn by Muslim women. Not the burqas, but the other stuff. I think their hijabs are beautiful, and love how the women around here manage to show off their style even while dressing very modestly and even sometimes quite fashionably. For one thing, the younger ones seem to wear GREAT shoes.
I’m the only one I know who feels this way.
Similarly, I’m intrigued by Orthodox jews. The idea of living out your religion in obvious and deliberate ways, every day, is intriguing. Their faith demands more of them than the average joe (or average joel!) and I envy them the richness of that experience and the traditions that they share as a community and as a family.
I also am very interested in nuns. I’m not Catholic, and I’m not particularly faithful to any religious doctrine, but something about their life appeals to and fascinates me.
It’s a headcovering theme.
Yes, but do black people love you?
I didn’t realize Christmas crackers were rare here in America. My family has them every year.
American Judaism. I love the food especially. And I speak enough German that most of the Yiddish I can pick up.
mmm… latkes…
It’s a toss-up. On the one hand, I am totally into most things Chinese. The food. The medicine. Tai Chi. Kung fu!!! So much good stuff. Very convenient, because when I started my new job my boss just happened to be a Chinese guy and I actually know most of the stuff he is talking about. Sometimes I think I weird him out.
But, ah Scotland. I lived there from 6 months to 2 years of age, and I think it affected me tremendously. I learned to talk with a Scottish accent! That cracks me up! My father lived there for four years while I was in college and I lived with him two months a year for all four of those years. I’d go back in a heartbeat. Americans don’t know shit about whiskey, tea, sweeties, fashion, or sarcasm. Plus the pagan festivals rock. America is a gaudy cousin of this amazing place.
Speaking of Scotland…
I have a “muted dress Stuart” kilt that I got back in 1985. I haven’t worn it recently (gained weight, stopped going to the Renaissance Faire, little occasion to wear it here – now I’ve lost weight), but I thought I should get a Colquhoun tartan because there’s a Kirkpatrick in my line and I’ve read the Kirkpatricks are related to the Colquhoun clan. It would be just the think for my cold, wet new home!
Cranky What about the Hindu women’s traditional clothing? Long flowing multi coloured. Great head scarves, shoes, dresses, jewelry…
Closer to home, I also have an affinity for France and French culture. I have visited France many times, and dispite my very poor ability speaking French I have never incountered the rudeness that seems to be expecected by many Americans.
Scandinavian countries: I have never been there, and might not ever go there. But the idea of such a place existing brings me unusual happiness.
Cranky What about the Hindu women’s traditional clothing? Long flowing multi coloured. Great head scarves, shoes, dresses, jewelry…
Closer to home, I also have an affinity for France and French culture. I have visited France many times, and dispite my very poor ability speaking French I have never incountered the rudeness that seems to be expecected by many Americans.
I have no affinity for Hamsters though, little bstrds.
My GF is Bulgarian so I’ve taken a liking to their culture. It’s so different from my own (Japanese). My GF on the other hand loves anything Japanese including food, electronics and cars etc.
I also find English culture interesting.
My Italian-Irish brother loves English culture and wants to move to England.
And my full-European best friend, who is fairly rational in other areas, seems to think she is Mexican and celebrates Mexican holidays.
I used to be really into Egyptian culture.
I love that site. I believe MeanOldLady has that as her website link.
I love Mexicans. I love their culture, and I would move to Mexico if I could. Same for Puerto Rico.
I am a real freak in this regard. I am your basic American born white guy, but I have developed a fair bit of expertise on Haiti and Haitian culture. I regard the establishment of an independent Black nation that has lasted for two hundred years to be an astonishing achievment.
I am losing my Creole, but I once spoke it fairly well. I have a collection of several hundred books and documents dating back a couple of hundred years. I even went over there in '95 to serve as a volunteer election monitor. It’s one of those things were I just can’t understand why everyone isn’t as fascinated as I am.
My first cultural love is all things Roman.
But there’s something about Russian music that just gets my blood pumping. I have no idea why.
I am another one fascinated by the Jewish culture. So much so, that I am very seriously considering conversion. Tough to explain to my Lutheran minister father and my Episcopalian father-in-law. And my LDS step-son. It sure cracked up the Jehovah’s Witnesses when they came to my door and I told them.
I’ve had a Jewish heart for years. Not gonna convert but I have a very deep love for the Jewish people that I can’t explain.
How you doing?!
Finland and anything Finnish. The country has a national tango, what isn’t there to love about that?