Mullings Over Dialogues

So I've been mulling over a post, slowly compiling it in my head. Because I'm running out. Of Ideas. And Time. All of my mental energy has been redirected to magazine and thesis pieces. In doing interviews, Jordanians made some cultural assessments about their own people that I thought I'd expound on.

Today though, I had a break through. Talking to a US educated Jordanian, we mused about how his sons weren't interested in getting an education in the states, or even forging a life there. They preferred Canada or Europe. And I thought, yeah, it's becoming the European dream. Death of the American dream. I'll write about that! I'm brilliant. Minutes later I realized someone had already written this brilliant article: Waving Goodbye to Hegemony By Parag Khanna.

Fear of Commitment: A business man told me that Jordanians break contracts because they can't commit.

They do break contracts.

And renege on agreements.

Tour operators are constantly battling hoteliers because they'll sign on a price and then they'll raise that price, sometimes double. It does "send foreign investors flying" as my capitalist companion stated, hands aflutter. Perhaps Jordanians are so "committed" to their religion and relationships, that they act out in this way. Like a kid tormented by their parents to be clean and organized. As an adult, their own house is littered with laundry and trash. (Yeah, I'm talking about myself) Or perhaps capitalism simply takes on a different form here. Or capitalism breeds survivalist tendencies. Or poverty drives people to shady business deals.

It has it's positives though. Low expectations sure take away some of life's pressures. For instances, you can make a reservation and they only take your name, not your credit card number. This comes in handy when you don't show up. No charge, no foul. However, it's not so fun when you do show up and somebody took your place.

Public Space: A good majority of Jordanian's entertainment is viewed, enacted, etc. in the privacy of their homes. One reason is because there are very few public spaces where people can gather together to entertain. Another may be hyper emphasis on the family nucleus. All atoms must rotate around it and cannot stray too far. Jordanians spend a majority of their time in their homes with their relatives. Islamic dogma further discourages interaction with strangers. Think: no dating. The city has been attempting to create more festivals so that citizens can slowly become accustomed to interacting with strangers in large public domains. Because currently, when this happens, there's chaos.

Taking It Easy: Jordanians work six days a week. Many can't drink alcohol. Or smoke marijuna. Or indulge in casual sexual activity. Which lead to a whole host of other don'ts that for the Western world equate to stress relief. Jordanians are HIGH STRUNG. Traffic is awful. Prices are high. There is no where to cut loose. They live with their parents until they marry! I think Hilter serves as an excellent example of uptight gone horribly awry.