Yes, it´s tragic the art of being a good guest is not taught.  Most the time it´s too quickly improvised.

Interesting video....somewhat alarmist. I´ve always wondered how they come up with such statistics? One can´t guarantee the children of anyone will adopt their belief system, particularly in today´s climate. 

I do think most people will weigh the altermatives and come up with their own belief system.

Mmy prayers and well wishes go out for all who suffer.

Yes, that is a famous book....but I disagree....this statement in particular....

"First, differences among civilizations are not only real; they are basic. Civilizations are differentiated from each other by history, language, culture, tradition and, most important, religion."

The more we study human history, the more we realize we share the same family.  Look at the DNA....it´s in there...our similarities outweigh our differences. Only when cultures/civilizations try to impose what is different on others, problems ensue. That imposition comes out of a feeling of deficiency. (need more, don´t have enough, need to feel important)

We are more similar as human beings, (I might add, fellow mammals)  than different. In reality, very few want much other than to be able to life their lives unobstructed. It is only the fear (which books like this encourage) of being forced to adopt other ways they negatively react.

Even if one looks at religion, at their hearts, there is more similarity between them than disparity. Our basic needs, our basic values are the same.  In reality, we are one.

Years ago there were no sushi bars, nobody heard of shiatsu...soy sauce...?...Thai food was unheard of,.....but now you see these proliferating all over the place.  People extract what they like from other cultures more than they want to go to war with them....unless they are manipulated.

“Naturally the common people don´t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”  so said Hermann Göring.

Is that true?  Ultimately we all want the most is to be loved and to love. We want to be part of the loving family.........when we fix our hair, get new cloths, it´s to make ourselves more lovable......

How about this?

The Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations

Of course they are.....!

However....a wise friend of mine once noted that humans are in essence "herd creatures". We have gone the range of clans, tribes and herds...to what we have today.

I´ve read that tribal society is the most efficient.....This social (herd nature) is probably why we have a difficulty being more inclusive.

Ewww....is this for real?  There has been a similar program in the US.....being a passionate advocate of herbs....and alternative medicine (homeopathic)....me too  Huhhh? 

I´ve noticed hardly anyone knows about vinegar or baking soda for acid indigestion anymore....get a Tums...or Pepto-Bismo..or they are encouraged to get trteatment for Acid Reflux Syndrome

Well, maybe because black is not black and white is not white....as far as people go anyway..........

I think as the world gets smaller and we are confronted with each other, our old ideas change. 

It´s interesting to note that in the "good old days"  many cultures didn´t even consider different humans to be human.  The Chinese called white people Red Devils....other Asians called them round eyes....Jewish people call none Jews Goyim, the Romany (aka Gypsies) people call "others" Gadge.....the Japanese called "others" Gaijin..and had to be forced to trade with Europeans.

Actually in this area there is a great amount of improvement in intercultural relations....most people admit to "others" being human.

Moving the curtains to get a better look at my window boxes, I saw a very large spider! Seeing as I don´t like to kill things, it was a problem figuring out what to do with it.  My cats were anxious to get at it, but I was afraid it could have been a brown recluse...thus dangerous to them...and me....

In the end it was coaxed into a large glass jar and sent to a new home...in an abandoned building.

It wasn´t a brown recluse...in the glass jar I could inspect the details.

Nice...there is a tale here that they bring good luck if you hold them in your hand,  tell them a wish &  let them free, your wish has a very good chance of being granted.

I found these ladybug legends here....this site has some amazing photos!

HOW THE LADYBUG GOT ITS NAME:

Legends vary about how the Ladybug came to be named, but the most common (and enduring) is this:   In Europe, during the Middle Ages, swarms of insects were destroying the crops.  The farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help.  Soon thereafter the Ladybugs came, devouring the plant-destroying pests and saving the crops!  The farmers called these beautiful insects "The Beetles of Our Lady", and - over time - they eventually became popularly known as "Lady Beetles".  The red wings were said to represent the Virgin´s cloak and the black spots were symbolic of both her joys and her sorrows.

LADYBUG LEGENDS:

Nearly ALL cultures believe that a Ladybug is lucky.
Killing one is said to bring sadness and misfortune.

In France, if a Ladybug landed on you, whatever ailment
you had would fly away with the Ladybug.

If a Ladybug is held in the hand while making a wish,
the direction that it flies away to shows where
your luck will come from.

If the spots on the wings of a Ladybug are more than seven,
it´s a sign of coming famine.  If less than seven, it means
you will have a good harvest.

In Belgium, people believed that if a Ladybug crawled across
a young girl´s hand, she would be married within a year.

People in Switzerland told their young children
that they were brought to them, as babies, by Ladybugs.
...and we thought Storks did that)!

In some Asian cultures, it is believed that the Ladybug understands
human language, and has been blessed by God, Himself.

In Brussels, the black spots on the back of a Ladybug indicate to the
person holding it how many children he/she will have.

According to a Norse legend, the Ladybug came to earth
riding on a bolt of lightning.

  
The Victorians in Britain believed that if a Ladybug alighted on your
hand, you would be receiving new gloves.....if it landed on your head,
a new hat would be in your future, and so on.

In the 1800´s, some doctors used Ladybugs to treat measles!  They
also believed that if you mashed ladybugs (ewww!) and put them
into a cavity, the insects would stop a toothache!

During the Pioneer days, if a family found a Ladybug in their log cabin
during the winter, it was considered a "Good Omen".

In the Spring, if numerous Ladybugs are seen flying around,
British farmers say it forecasts many bountiful crops.

Many Bretons believe that the arrival of Ladybugs will bring fair weather.

Folklore suggests if you catch a Ladybug in your home, count the number
of spots and that´s how many dollars you´ll soon find.

In Norway, if a man and a woman spot a Ladybug at the same time,
there will be a romance between them.

Actually...there is a lot of truth in that.  I was once with a group of women, all whom had black hair and brown eyes.  There was a third woman not there being discussed.  One of the women said (not in a disparaging manner at all), " XXX is so colorful with her blond hair, blue eyes and pink skin". I thought about that and concluded what she was saying was very true.

Most "white" people are very colorful.  After all,blue/purple varicose veins, those drinkers noses are much more colorful on "white" people.  When they bruise, they get really colorful.....purple...yellow...and when they get sunburned...they turn very pink.