Once, in early 2009, as I recall, I had yet another mostly neglectful employer who didn't know what they were doing, so I was forced to make a sudden "visa run" to Japan. On the flight over from Korea, I sat next to what at first seemed like a very nice older Korean man, who seemed incredibly interested in only one topic: the fact that, as he saw it, "nobody really understand Korean way."
Okay. Whatever. He attempted then, of course (whether I wanted to listen or not) to give me a seemingly endless list of things that I really must change my mind about. Topic number 1: Dog eating. "All Foreigners who are not Koreans do not understand us."
Okay. Fine. But I CHOOSE - that is, I long ago made a PERSONAL CHOICE to not eat dog meat, or to willingly participate in the trade of such animals. THAT'S MY CHOICE, BUSTER. Whether I happen to live "in Rome," or not.
No social pressure for me today, thank you. But I did listen. And I have seen the way dogs are often treated in Asia. So, I do get it. One type of animal flesh probably really is more or less the same as another.
Sure, I guess we all have to make certain sacrifices sometimes. In times of extreme need, such as when everybody is starving and honestly need to eat their most beloved animals just to survive, or... when your CULTure is still hopelessly mired in traditionalism and doesn't appear to give a damn how all "the foreigners" feel about such things.
Oh, I think I get it, mister. Thanks anyway.
Okay. Whatever. He attempted then, of course (whether I wanted to listen or not) to give me a seemingly endless list of things that I really must change my mind about. Topic number 1: Dog eating. "All Foreigners who are not Koreans do not understand us."
Okay. Fine. But I CHOOSE - that is, I long ago made a PERSONAL CHOICE to not eat dog meat, or to willingly participate in the trade of such animals. THAT'S MY CHOICE, BUSTER. Whether I happen to live "in Rome," or not.
No social pressure for me today, thank you. But I did listen. And I have seen the way dogs are often treated in Asia. So, I do get it. One type of animal flesh probably really is more or less the same as another.
Sure, I guess we all have to make certain sacrifices sometimes. In times of extreme need, such as when everybody is starving and honestly need to eat their most beloved animals just to survive, or... when your CULTure is still hopelessly mired in traditionalism and doesn't appear to give a damn how all "the foreigners" feel about such things.
Oh, I think I get it, mister. Thanks anyway.
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