E-Mail 'Strangers in a Strange Land: Communication, Pt. 1, by L.C.' To A Friend

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8 Comments

  2. Good article. But does anyone see the irony in “THE LAW OF JANTE”. Having said that it is good advice, a little over the top but good advice. Why? Because the people in the new place/city/country are doing exactly what the Jante law tells them not to do and if you react to them then it must be you who is wrong. Still, that is the law I operate when I go back home and visit relatives and friends who may have different political views and who get really bent out of shape when they find out you voted for Trump.

    1. The law of Jante reminds me of 1984 or Rands book Anthem. One must not be better than anyone else, heaven forbid one thinks for themselves or considers they are as worthy as someone else. I would have hated living in Denmark as I live very much by the Golden Rule; treat others as you would like them to treat you. People scowling when I smiled at them would mean I pretty much would leave them to their own devices. I don’t work hard for anyone to like me. I consider it their loss, not mine.

    2. Well said, One Guy. I consider your behavior toward those you visit to be very gracious.

      My sweetheart came home from a seminar with a great motto, “Give up being right, even when you are right”.

      Carry on

  5. “The Law of Jante”…so appropriate. I live in a “comfortable” community in the midwest. Seems to me many folks here, especially the white, middle class have a sense of entitlement and arrogance that annoys the hell out of me. They have their nice middle class homes with wicker furniture on the front porch, a fenced in back yard for the dog, and a couple of cute little crossover vehicles in the driveway. Most of these people are in debt up to their eyeballs and at least 50% of the homes will be in foreclosure come the next recession. Yet, I can assure you, these folks really do think they are something “special”, they’ve never been told otherwise. Seems to me many foreign countries are growing weary of the spoiled American visitor who thinks indeed that they are the “latest and greatest”. Hence, the “Law of Jante”, so appropriate! After visiting in Italy recently, my feeling is that we have much to learn from other cultures, Americans are indeed arrogant, but not necessarily the greatest . Some grace and humility are desperately needed.

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