Group Thinking & Individualism

Having shared about my run in Lumphini, I recall some observations I have while here in Asia--taking these presuppositions and generalizations from the Western world and holding them up here, thinking, "Is this true?" It is in frequently Lumphini Park to run that I really have seen Western individualism really challenged, in my own opinion.

Thais and farang (western-foreigners) of all kinds frequent the park here, mostly to exercise. I have seen serious runners, like I would see back home, and I have seen some people I think... Wow. They think that is running?! I've seen people "run" by shuffling their feet at a pace slower than some elderly people walk with walkers. I've seen a man walk backwards--really exercising the other muscles. I've seen a woman running while carrying an umbrella, and many people run in the humidity and sun wearing long sleeves and long pants--Thais go to extreme lengths to avoid darkening their skin from the sun (White skin is quite beautiful).

Besides running, I've seen groups of Tai Chi, Chinese dance, Fan dancing, men wearing capri pants and cut off shirts doing dance aerobics, plenty of yoga groups with their blankets and mats on the grass, and then the people using the circuit machines, and the men at the outdoor gyms. Most of these who are in groups all have matching shirts! Usually yellow, pink, or white polo shirts. Some exercise wearing jeans, a tshirts, and basic shoes that tie--no rules here for what shoes to wear on the machines. Some people wear flip flops. Mai pen rai!

I've seen one man standing in the middle of the park, standing still, just moving his head to the left and then to the right. Then, a couple days ago, I saw two women standing with their feet shoulder width apart, pretty still, except for they were shaking their arms and knees like noodles. One woman in another part of the park was standing alone just shaking her arms at her side.

Here, the people love uniforms. Public or private, all schools have uniforms, even wearing the same shoes, same style socks, and the children must all have the same hairstyles. Nurses, receptionists, and even construction workers--all have uniforms. Just about every job here: uniform. The Thai people love uniformity in clothes! On a side note, they take very good care of their uniforms--even coming from a slum, their uniforms are clean and ironed, and shoes are polished. Another side note, when not in uniform, their "casual" dress is extremely casual.

What does this have to do with Western and Eastern ideals?

From my experience as a United States-ian, I grew up with individualized thinking. Be who you want to be, express yourself in your clothes, choose whatever field you want to pursue, do your own thing, be your own person. We fight against uniforms, wanting to be free and having freedom to us means having a choice not only  in clothes we wear, but in just about every facet of life.

Asia, as most Westerns observe, is accustomed to a lot of "group thought". With uniforms and groups for everything. Then comes whether we judge this to be postive or negative, from which I think many people may diverge when coming to a conclusion. I refrain from making a stark judgement on it, but I have observed and learned something beautiful from this.

My observations in the park struck me. Here is so much uniformity, which normally makes me think everyone just follows the crowd. However, I see so much individualism, people exercising whatever way they want, feeling no inhibitions or fear of "Who is watching me?" or "Do I look cool enough?" Of course, I do not know what they are thinking, but by seeing more of this here than I feel I see at home in the States, I think I'm on the right track.

So what is the big judgement on this experience?

In this society, expectations are clear (at least clearer than at home). How you are to act, what are the rules in society, what is polite, what is good etiquette. When the standards are clear, and you know what bar to meet, something happens within a person: You are free to be yourself.
Here is the diversion. In the Western world, rules and expectations are viewed as an obstacle to freedom. But I see an example here where the more rules and standards they have, the more the people are free as individuals--not looking around thinking, "Am I doing it right?" --because we often don't know: What are the standards?

Now, being Christian, "Wherever two are three are gathered, I am with you" says Christ. When Jesus is present among us, there is a unity, and within the unity is diversity! We have a set of expectations we at least try to live and we are set free in this!

Side Aches and Campaigns in the Park

I don't know how often in my life I've able to say "T'm sore from doing laundry". Washing clothes by hand, sitting on an 8 inch high stool in a corner under the stairs, about 4' x 4', with one spigot of water (only one temperature--whatever the temperature is outside), and surrounded by buckets, isn't so bad. I enjoy it actually, especially as I plunge my clothes into the bucket again and again, making suds appear and splash all over! When my arms tire, I look at them and think of the muscles I'm working! I don't even mind when the clothes I am wearing get wet. In this climate, I'd like to sit in that corner, the coolest place in the house-- being concrete, in the shade, and on the lowest level of the house.--for a while with some laundry.

I wish I could say that my sore muscles come from a rigorous exercise in Lumphini Park before school this morning, but, in fact, my run was not so rigorous today. It was interrupted at one kilometre by a campaign for the Prime Minister elections (Election day is July 3). It was candidate #10, Abhisit. I had seen about 10 trucks on the street, with people standing in the bed of the truck, music blaring, and people speaking through the megaphones, old school style (that just doesn't happen in the States!). In the middle of the city, at this park, well populated each morning, they came walking in with their t-shirts, political bulletins, and megaphones, followed by TV cameras. It was conveniently timed in my run--I was getting a fierce side ache, despite my efforts to breathe properly! After walking through the crown (Slowly, so I could stare and observe), I ran again, only to be stopped by more video cameras--and another annoying side ache! I walked the next kilometre, observing the array of people exercising. I love the outdoor circuit equipment--I've been eyeing it for weeks. So I tried some out, only to discover I'm too tall for some of the ones working the legs (these are mostly non adjustable).

I began to run again, making 1/2 km until I really couldn't stand this dang side ache, PLUS, I'd been recalling what Ryan told me about the book, "Born to Run". I contemplated running barefoot, but I then wouldn't have shoes to go back home, or to school unless I stashed them in a bush somewhere. I was super conscious of my body--I felt I could run forever but for the stupid side ache! Then came 8:00 am--the King's song is played each day throughout the city on loud speakers at 8am and 6pm. In the middle of the park, everyone stops what they are doing, standing still to honor the king! So, I stopped running again, resuming for a short while before stretching and leaving to cross the street to school (Thai language school).