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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
 Posted - 08/28/2009 : 8:33:00 PM
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My hubby and I ate dinner at our local bar/dining establishment late tonight. We met someone there who is a "farmer" around Fresno, California. Mind you, "farming" as in 1,500 acres. He and his wife were looking forward to flying first-class to Maui on Friday, to stay at the Kapalua Resort. He won't fly anything BUT first class.
As I told him about George Kahumoku's show at the Napila Kai on Wednesday nights, he assured me he would "never" go to one of those shows. He won't have anything to do with Hawaiian music or culture, just wants to be in his air-conditioned room, or on the golf course, would never go to some hole-in-the-wall with no air-conditioning. As he was talking I started wondering why he would ever go to Hawaii when he would be missing the most important things about those islands.
By the time we left the restaurant, I was livid. He is the kind of person who gives all travelers a bad name. Pox on him. I am so sorry that he takes up the space instead of a perfectly nice person when he goes to Hawaii. I hope I never see them again. And I don't say that about too many people I've come across in my life. Bah Humbug!
Julie
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hwnmusiclives
`Olu`olu
USA
580 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 02:06:30 AM
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I hear you. A true story...
One night I went to the Waikiki Marriott to hear Aunty Genoa. I usually arrive at 4:30pm to get a great seat. But I was coming from the North Shore, hit some traffic, and didn't arrive until well after Aunty Genoa went on. So I was relegated to sitting at the bar.
It was June and the NBA playoffs were on the TV above the bar. A couple were drinking and hooting and hollering at the TV while Aunty Genoa was singing away. I struck up conversation with the couple and learned that they were on their honeymoon. They must have met at a basketball game because no woman I know would let me watch the game on TV during our honeymoon unless she were a fan too. But I digress...
I asked them why they chose Hawai'i for a honeymoon, and they replied that they pretty much wanted something tropical. I asked if they had been to Pearl Harbor, 'Iolani Palace, the towns on the Windward side, Chinatown, eaten any local food? Nope. I asked if they had experienced any of the local culture? Nope. So I launched into a tirade that one of the most important aspects of the culture was happening right around them and they were getting it for free and completely ignoring it. I told them that Aunty Genoa Keawe is a living legend of Hawaiian music and that there were very few places they could hear that music anywhere - including elsewhere in Hawai'i. I told them that Aunty Genoa was 85 years old and performs here practically for free once a week just so that tourists like them could have a taste of Hawai'i the way it used to be. I told them that Hawaiian music as we know it largely exists because of her - that she is at the top of a huge family tree of musicians who got their start because they were inspired by her. I said, "Just listen to that voice!" And they shut up long enough to get sucked in.
The husband put his hand on my shoulder and thanked me and they rose together from the bar in search of two seats closer to the music and hula. And I know they stayed until "Hawai'i Aloha" because I did too.
Sometimes you have to point out the blatantly obvious. We are not ugly Americans. We are merely ignorant Americans. And sometimes we can even change.
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Join me for the history of Hawaiian music and its musicians at Ho`olohe Hou at www.hoolohehou.org. |
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Ben
Lokahi
USA
122 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 02:45:50 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by hwnmusiclives
[We are not ugly Americans. We are merely ignorant Americans. And sometimes we can even change.
I've lived in a lot of different cultures both in America and abroad, and my experience is that some Americans definitely are ugly.
Ugly Americans are those who reject and demean a different culture (even within their own country - a transplanted Texan in Boston or a Pennsylvanian in California, for example) without bothering to learn anything or trying to find what makes the local culture special. Julie's "farmer" fits. His loss, and that of those who suffer his arrogance.
Some, as with your couple, Bill, merely need to have their eyes opened to new possibilities. Their gain, and that of those they shared their experience with back home. |
MÄlama pono
Ben |
Edited by - Ben on 08/29/2009 04:15:47 AM |
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LovinLK
Lokahi
USA
112 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 7:18:13 PM
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A good example of those not wanting to indulge in those things that are Hawaiian are the military. They live in their own little world. You see the young soldiers wandering around Waikiki looking for "tail", if you know what I mean.
When I used to go to all the places for Hawaiian music, rarely did you see any military. When I stayed with my sister when she lived there, she wouldn't even let me listen to KCCN on the car radio. They were military.
When I lived there, I absorbed as much of the music and culture as I could. |
Lovin' Lee is my favorite pasttime!!
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2009 : 11:57:08 AM
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This is true of a great many travelers in all locations. People go to Las Vegas to gamble, how many try to learn about the area or the local folks? Travelers go to Florida, Myrtle Beach, or Virginia Beach to get tans, not to learn anything about the area. As a reenactor, I have watched people walk through our primitive camp as though they were window shopping. We reenact to share the knowledge we have about a period in history that has passed. Many visitors walk through without asking questions at all, or ask very superficial ones." Did you sleep here last night?" One accused us of having a gas pipe under our cooking fire!"You're not fooling me!"
The people who are interested, and ask a lot of questions make our day. Many come back with friends who are interested. Those who don't want to know, won't understand if you do tell them. Accept that as the way it is, and talk to the ones who want to learn. The same scenario plays out daily at every museum and historic site in the world. Honolulu is loaded with mainland restaurants. I can't imagine crossing the ocean to eat what I can get at home! Nearly all the tour busses stop at the Dole Visitor Center. Helemano Plantation is right next door, and much more a part of the culture. Throngs of visitors walk up & down Kala`kaua Blvd in Waikiki looking for shopping bargains. Mostly on goods made outside Hawai`i.
As the bible says, deliver your message to those who are willing to listen, shake the dust from your boots and go to the next town. I guess we have to learn to cherish the people you can make a difference to, and accept the fact that we can't reach 'em all.
Unko Paul
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"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
Edited by - rendesvous1840 on 08/30/2009 11:58:54 AM |
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1025 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2009 : 12:56:52 PM
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| Forunately, these folks aren't hogging the view of Leilani Bond at the Hyatt on Kauai. Their loss. Let them go. They hopefully won't return and drive up airfares. |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2009 : 08:06:49 AM
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Julie-
One inescapable truth in life is that there are incurious jerks everywhere you go. No culture is immune, sad to say.
The other inescapable truth is that there are wonderful, creative people everywhere you go, too.
I sincerely hope you have recovered your usual sense of optimism & joy.
Illegitimi non carborundum, as the Romans say. |
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Allen M Cary
Lokahi
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2009 : 1:35:00 PM
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Americans aren't the only ones that have cultural insensitivity, in fact we are probably saints compared with the average German tourist, universally reviled throughout Europe for their self-contained holidays (spending no money in the local economy, except in the bars where they sing their obnoxious drinking songs and drive the other patrons away). Don't get me wrong, I love Germany and Germans, but we don't need to flagellate ourselves as the "ugly" tourists. There are plenty to go around. Don't see too many Japanese at Aunty Genoa's or Jerry Santos' Waikiki gigs either.
All we can do is spread as much aloha as we can--drag your friends to the hula shows and slack key concerts. Play for them. You will make some converts who will learn to appreciate the culture.
Allen |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2182 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2009 : 4:48:54 PM
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| "None of us is as ignorant as all of us." I don't mind ignorance, I carry a fair amount of it around with me. What is irritating is not diminishing the ignorance load. Some folks cheerfully quit reading and or learning after they leave school and never progress as humans. Only the mediocre are at their best all the time. Dangerous thought: In a democracy, them folks are allowed to vote. Play music often, explore history and other cultures, rub thoughts together and draw conclusions. My dad used to stress to my brother and me, "You got a mind, you got a good mind! THINK!" Thanks, dad. Peter Benchley said, "Most people would rather die than think, and most people do." Nuff soapbox. |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2009 : 8:02:19 PM
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You know, there are "ugly" people in all cultures. Believe me, I've lived and traveled all over the world. It's just that I am so disappointed when I meet folks who couldn't give a d--n about anything but themselves. I call them the "me, for myself" generation. So glad I have all you wonderful friends in music, all my TaroPatch pals.
Aloha, Julie |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2009 : 05:47:57 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Julie H
I am so disappointed when I meet folks who couldn't give a d--n about anything but themselves.
It is disappointing, isn't it? That's an excellent word to use, Julie.
For the most part, we can only accept that their world didn't instill the same values as our own world. Yet their perspective still has much to teach us, in ways that we won't know unless we are willing to try to understand.
Don't try to change 'em - or "disappointment" will change to "frustration." Don't let them change you, either. Learn to accept that they come from a different environment, one that shaped them in a way that's unfamiliar to you - but they are still valuable fellow travelers here.
(OK, that's far too wooo-eeee wooo-eeee for this time of day; I better stop now and get some breakfast...) |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2009 : 06:44:53 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by guitarded
So, would this philosophical outlook on life also apply to a like-minded sociopath such as Charlie Manson?
In the sense that I can learn from his behavior, yes. Everyone is good for something - even if it's to be presented as a bad example!
And watchoo mean by "like-minded," brah?  |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2009 : 06:53:33 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Retro
quote:
Originally posted by guitarded
So, would this philosophical outlook on life also apply to a like-minded sociopath such as Charlie Manson?
In the sense that I can learn from his behavior, yes. Everyone is good for something - even if it's to be presented as a bad example!
And watchoo mean by "like-minded," brah?
You talkin' 'bout me again, bra? |
keaka |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2009 : 08:11:47 AM
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I think "Guilty By Association" should be our band name...if Braddah Guitarded ever comes this side of the mountains to play music with Slipry1 & me (and Thumbstruck will be part of it as well).
Or "The Like-Minded Master Kings of Guilt-ar" maybe? |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2009 : 09:56:34 AM
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I am happy that there are people like Julie and the rest of you guys who felt the ugliness. That means there are more people in the world who do not see that as normal behavior.
Hooray for Julie and those who have aloha in their hearts. Horray for those who know what pono is. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2009 : 7:43:11 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by wcerto
Horray for those who know what pono is.
And hooray for those who do not try to impose their definitions of "pono" upon anyone else - that's not pono, yu-kno? |
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I have net THE "UGLY AMERICAN" tonight
