In this Together

Merril and I went to watch hockey matches at the Commonwealth Games.
We watched it with mates of ours.  He was from Ghana and she from Japan.  I had a transfer put onto a tee shirt of Ghana and I bought a Ghanan flag.  I actually combined it with my love of stamps and learned a bit about Ghana I had no idea about.  I ended up giving him the Ghanan flag.  We were also watching South Africa play so I bought a South African flag as well.  That one I still have.  It was good company and enjoyable to watch.
When I was in Townsville, I used to play table tennis under our house against an indigenous guy (the place was high set – we did not lie on our tummies to play).  We would have the time of our lives.  I will never forget the laughter.
At work I used to play table tennis in lunch time with a guy from Taiwan. He was the only person I have ever played who had a back hand played with a forehand action.  It is hard to explain but it is popular in Asia.
One thing I have found is that no matter the race or creed we all love the same things.  Whether working hard or playing hard we had similar goals.  There are those right into things and those who’s attitude leaves something to be desired.  This is not a trait of one particular race only, but from my experience it is universal.
It seems to me we all share the start.  How we finish is totally up to each individual.  
There are things about culture I can miss to my detriment and potential embarrassment.  I may be a big believer in “when in Rome do as the Romans do” but I also strongly feel to give custom where custom is due.  There are times when respect determines I should behave a way, that may be foreign to me but is normal to another.
For me custom is to be celebrated and differences embraced (I love how the Indians love to dance).  It is deviations which lead to unreasonable death and destruction which I avoid.  It appears to me all cultures share that.
As far as I am concerned, we are all in this together.  I will give and take help no matter where it comes from.  Everyone needs it from time to time.