Which nationalities feel most at ease on iPeace, and anyone feel uncomfortable for anything they read or see here? Living out of my country, and receiving many international guests, I have experienced many occasions where I myself, or others make, let's call them "mistakes" because I or others don't know the customs of a country. There may be an uncomfortable feeling because one of us says or does something that is not customary. These are just a few of my own personal experiences and others I have never learned exactly what the reasoning behind them was.

l. A Russian guest visiting in Italy, rather than wait for me when I went to say hello to a friend in a cafè, completely disappeared (he walked back silently to his hotel).

2. I, in another country (English speaking) was told that perhaps my (totally innocent) pun offended people and I should probably watch it next time

3. Here, my Chinese friend stopped iPeace after one day, which he and I were sorry about. Even though he was interested in knowing about other nationalities and their thoughts, perhaps the direct mail to him expressed things he didn't feel comfortable in discussing, and that he didn't agree with.

The list goes on, and anyone who has traveled, or lived most their life out of their home country understands this more than others.

If you read the majority of discussions and blogs here, you will see that certain countries do not partecipate actively. This is to be expected.

I am thinking though, that probably some people would even like to comment on things, or bring up discussions, but only observe and learn about the rest of the world through their reading and remain on the "outside".

I am wondering if perhaps, some are scared off by some of the more, let's say, original and provocative writings and photographs. Although they may be interested, attracted to, and even in agreement with what they see and read, their own cultures may almost prohibit them to express themselves without being perhaps judged as being too liberal.

NOW having said that - I have learned through my own experience, especially in China, that my friends there were very interested in every single thing about me and my life. It was all new to them, "I" was new to them. But if I would have shocked them with details, news, experiences, photos, whatever, right from the start, I think I may have lost them, without being able to get close at all.
Things exist, nudity, erotic writing, sensuality, and here, people are getting close, some of them pretty close, I believe. But many iPeace members, I believe, are definitely not used to these things in "their world" and it may be something that, rather than inform them of these things, and the ease in which many many countries of the world discuss it, view it, show it, makes them decide to immediately leave, without continuing at all.

This is a shame, and may be summed up by these people with a negative idea like "it is too libertal" or "I don't agree with this kind of thinking". Getting out for good, they will lose all the wonderful things they could have gotten here.

On a lighter note, it's a little like Italian television, for those living in Italy you know what I am talking about. Women news reporters when giving the news, often wear very low cut shirts and jackets. Even during the war in Kosovo, I noticed that their attire was the same or even "worse" in order to get more viewers. It was extremely noticeable, and in terrible taste due to the subject they were reporting. Finally someone somewhere must have said STOP, and the day after the lowcut shirts got buttoned up a bit more. Perhaps someone realized that they had to think about the general public (including children!) who were in front of the television.

Should we put a few more buttons on iPeace in order to attract the more timid, conservative, traditional countries and give them a chance to slowly learn what "our glorious world" is all about? What are your thoughts?

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There are people who do not believe in wearing clothing and do not find the human body offensive. They believe the offense is what is in a persons mind and this exists whether a person wears clothes or not. I am old enough now to see that more wars have been fought over religion, fear and greed in whatever way you can imagine. Wear clothing did not prevent them from warring. Perhaps, if they had been naked they would not have been able to conceal their weapons. But, this is all foolishness to suppose something we do not know. Living naked for some people is no different than others living fully clothed to the point you cannot tell a person is either male or female. They live a standard of life they believe in. Does this make them some how less human because another person does not understand their beliefs, yet, expects them to understand theirs?

In my mind peace comes from respecting others for their beliefs, which may differ from our own. Don't get me wrong, I also find certain things repulsive, because they do not mesh well with my own beliefs, but I do not believe the manner of dress or undress is one of them. I am more repulsed or taken back by beliefs that tend to say some how they are better, simply because they believe in them. I say this, because I believe that this is the root cause for conflict. On my journey in this life, I seek to understand all beliefs, rather than assume that what little know is the one and only truth and this is why I chose to come to this site, in order to learn more, rather than to attempt to divide and change the way others believe. It was my hope to find peace through understanding.
Indeed, I agree with Amit and others who have same point of view as we have. I believe in the saying " beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and nudity is one among the most question espression of art. I can say that we are all matured people here but we can´t avoid to share to our young ones all about this iPeace site is. Honestly I don´t feel comfortable with members posting their nude pictures in the site... It´s not appropriate and it´s not PEACE promoting figure.

I think the Administrator to this Website has to take action on this matter. Thank you in anticipation of a favorable action about this matter.

fargo
We have all fallen victim to a society of creeping compromise and moral decay and the traditions our societies have a way to cover these compromises.
Out with the old and in with the new is fine.. as long as its not offensive to others.

Mitakuye Oyasin
There really isn't 'outside' anymore; or at least I believe THAT is the perspective of real global peace. For years, my signature line on my email was "Its not about you." Remarkably, it was the first thought of people who commented. Each one thinks it is about 'me,' when it should be about 'us.' Brian Eno blogged about this concept on the NPR website in November while telling his story about singing 'a capella' with friends. Please take the time to read or better yet, listen to his "Key To A Long Life" To join together as ONE, tolerance should be practiced until we understand. - SheMuses P.S. Often I'm here in my pajamas.
Hello Stephanie,

Finally found your discussion called "Embarassment".
My personal opinion is that different cultures can be offended by "little things"
Certainly we should respect these different cultures, but without being afraid showing in our mind what beauty is to us.
That's a subjective item for every individual.

We don't have to shock or being provocative, but we should be able to tell in enthusiasm what's on our mind or show what we call beauty...

Otherwise we could'nt breeze......

Take care from Holland,

Your friend Hans
Censorship is an enormous obstacle to peace. The denigration of the human body and of all things sensual and sexual is an enormous obstacle to peace, and usually goes hand-in-hand with the subjugation of women.

Offense is in the eye of the beholder.

Declaring certain topics--any topics--off limits for discussion is an enormous obstacle to peace. I don't see free expression as a Western value, but a progressive one, essential to the elimination of fear and and perceptions of separtateness.

If the administrators of iPeace decide to ban nude photos, I will remove myself from the site. Also, while I will not puposely "poke my finger in someone's eye" just to anger them or provoke a response, I'm not going to engage in self-censorship, either. "Decorum" is usually imposed by a ruling elite to exclude the masses from their little club--to define as "vulgar" the way "lesser" people speak and behave--meanwhile hiding their own vile crimes behind a screen of good manners. It's all about FREEDOM. More freedom = more peace.
I agree with so many of you here, especially with respect to being open to learning about others and their beliefs. Growing up in East Africa and having lived in several countries, I have seen a lot of hatred and violence. I realize the hate and violence is not only in Africa but that it will take each and everyone of us to move forward.

Personally I have not seen the offensive nude pics so I cannot comment about that at this time. That said, while I don't feel one should push their nude pics on others, I agree that there is a created sense of shame around our bodies that personally I do not have. This is just my opinion and I don't feel offended if it is not shared.

Looking forward to learning more from all of you.

All the best!

Philip
Thank you for your insightful article. The purpose of iPeace is to foster understanding, respect, love and unity between diverse people. First we must understand each other. If we are not well traveled, this could be difficult. Each culture holds it's own
beliefs about what is accepted. If there are cultural differences that we are unaware of, it would be easy to offend someone. Perhaps a group could be started where people could kindly inform each other of things they have seen on iPeace that may be offensive to their culture. Once we understand this, we can consciously show respect by not posting these things. If we are becoming close friends with someone and want to cross lines, we can always communicate using our personal email. If we
want to unify our world, we must focus on what we have in common. Understanding and respecting other cultures and their
beliefs is the beginning of real peace.
Mimi
IPeace members are showing extremely differing views here, and it could be very valuable - especially in trying to understand that yes, we are different, coming from different backgrounds and beliefs. It could and should I believe, be educational.

Is it possible that those people who are more concerned about offending have met more foreigners and so are more sensitive to their feelings, have traveled more and know the reality of what is acceptable in different countries, or realize that perhaps the numerous differences between our societies should be something we contemplate before laying it all out there, and then see if we have gone too far or not?

I get the feeling here that the philosophies behind what someone feels is right or wrong in their own personal "book of beliefs" will make it very hard to see the other's point of view.

Stephanie
i am totally with mimi. since this is ipeace, let us peacefully and respectfully share what we are comfortable with and what we are not comfortable with. and the rest can respond in the same spirit.

with peace, respect and love
kana
My Friend, Jeremy Solomons is a multi-cultural advisor to companies seeking to do business globally. He has spent most of his life learning how not to offend other cultures and speaks many languages. The point being, there are ways we can learn to speak and share our lives that will not offend others. Perhaps we could develop a group within ipeace – a multicultural sensitivity group – where we develop a culturally neutral space where sharing could be done thoughtfully. Maybe it could be a group led by someone trained in this area who could inform us of careful ways to communicate. I am interested in learning how not to be unconsciously offensive. After all, peace is about inclusiveness, finding the common ground of goodness, the common love.
Before the journalist threw the shoe at Bush, how many in the world understood how offensive that was? Someone had to inform us. What do you think?
Cia Khakaura

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