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Re:
And that's the ironic part, sam. They appear odd to us, but perfectly normal to these people! To each his own, I guess . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 17, 2013 at 1:55 PM
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I agree, some of them were a bit odd! sam 
posted by
sam444
on May 17, 2013 at 11:25 AM
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Re: Amazing they can do that in Denmark!
Thanks, Katray. And yeah, a few of these "routines" do seem a bit odd, but I guess we won't know if those kids are actually complaining about them until they get much older and can write tell-all books about their experiences growing up in those particular households . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 17, 2013 at 6:34 AM
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Amazing they can do that in Denmark!
And the last one; well, I'll just say I wouldn't want to change those diapers, Lol...Good post..
posted by
Katray2
on May 17, 2013 at 5:52 AM
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Re: JimmyA
Not necessarily, Sir Wiley. If your "plan" was to come back out and find your child somehow missing, you may be greatly disappointed to not only find them still there, but amongst several others whose parents had a similar idea! Somehow you may end up coming home with more than you went with! 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 17, 2013 at 5:03 AM
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Re: MISSED YOU, will come back and read your posts when I am rested.
Perfectly understandable, Kabu. Welcome back! Get some rest. We'll still be here . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 17, 2013 at 4:59 AM
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JimmyA
I like Denmarks plan, great for shrinking the family one doesn't want. LOL
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 16, 2013 at 6:50 PM
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MISSED YOU, will come back and read your posts when I am rested.
posted by
Kabu
on May 16, 2013 at 5:49 PM
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Re: Very cool
You're quite welcome, Mia. And I believe those "mask-wearing" people may actually be most prevelent in China, but I've seen several news reports from southeast Asia, and it could be that almost everyone in these countries may be wearing them now! Hey, everyone has different reasons for their habits, customs and traditions! It would be pretty difficult to say what is actually the best, and what may be detrimental! Who knows . . . ? 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 2:21 PM
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Re:
Of course not, lustor. It is indeed a different world we live in now. Things that seemed relatively harmless years ago are not only considered dangerous today, but they may also be considered illegal! We just can't take chances anymore . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 2:16 PM
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Re:
It would appear, mariss, that a nerve of sorts has been touched in you! The general consensus seems to be that everyone is different, and different habits and routines work in some places and not others. But if you're willing to go to these places and attempt to "change" their cultures, be my guest!
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 2:15 PM
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Re: Jimmy
I'll say this, Naut. That item may be disturbing, but it's not surprising! And if children are really raising themselves today, I guess it goes without saying that they're doing a crummy job! Not too long ago, I saw a segment on the Jay Leno show where he went to a high school graduation ceremony somewhere in California and began to ask the graduates what appeared to be some pretty "basic" questions. Some of the answers were appalling! Many of the students could not name our second president ( John Adams ), could not identify the planets of our solar system, had no idea what the three states of matter are ( solid, liquid and gas ), and actually thought that we broke away from France following the Revolutionary War! Some kids thought the Rough Riders were a Canadian football team, Charles Lindbergh flew the first Apollo space mission, and that Mussolini was a famous Italian composer. And while the audiance howled with laughter, I personally found the piece quite sad! Remember . . . these were graduating high school students! We indeed have a very troubling future ahead of us . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 2:01 PM
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Very cool
It's amazing how different cultures handle parenting and education in such unique ways. I wonder if the Japanese policy of bringing your own hand towel stems from their aversion to germs. Isn't that the same country were wearing a medical face mask is totally normal - they wear them shopping, on public transit, etc. (I could have my location wrong though...).
Very interesting post, thanks for sharing!
posted by
Mia890
on May 16, 2013 at 10:10 AM
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I can remember running in a store leaving a kid in the car for just a short time but wouldnt do it now
posted by
Lanetay
on May 16, 2013 at 9:12 AM
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Some customs should be changed when they could be harmful to children. Japan should have enough money for the kids to have something to clean their hands on. Denmark must have less ruthless criminals than America, but I would not endorse risking it by leaving infants alone. Charitable organizations should send pajamas to Guatamala, or similar countries. American parents should spend some time with their children and not just their possessions. The list could go on.
posted by
mariss9
on May 16, 2013 at 7:53 AM
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Jimmy
Different cultures, different mores, even in cases that are in many ways much like our own...But even within a culture you would probably find a great deal of variety in child-rearing. My biggest concern is that, increasingly, parents no longer 'raise' their children at all, but let them more or less raise themsleves, often with unfortunate consequences! I came across a disturbing item the other day: the US Army has determined that, overall, only one in four applicants for a military career meets their educational requirements...
posted by
Nautikos
on May 16, 2013 at 7:35 AM
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Re:
Thanks, adnohr. And I guess, as a "world traveler," you are now getting more and more insight to some of these cultural differences. Yes, there are some peculiar habits and traditions practiced around the globe. But then again, some of them sound pretty reasonable as well, and may be things that others should be practicing! It's all subjective . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 6:25 AM
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Re:
Absolutely, Annicita. Like I wrote to others, I'm still not 100% sure if that is actually what transpires. But regardless, if it is, then the parents are just asking for trouble! I can't imagine any child being completely safe unattended anywhere . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 6:14 AM
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Re:
Very different, FSI! Yeah, that "forest kindergarten" seemed a little odd too! It might make more sense if perhaps the kids were being taught certain survival skills! But to just hold a class outside, in any weather, seems a bit unusal . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 6:11 AM
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Re:
I understand completely, TAPS! Growing up, my brothers and sisters and I were very familiar with the "evil eye," except ours was usually accompanied by dad simultaneously reaching for his belt buckle! But before he could undo one loop, we would all be sitting quietly in the corner with our hands folded in front of us, tiny halos glowing brightly above our heads! Aah, the good ol' days! Parents can't do that anymore . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 5:53 AM
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Re:
Well it's nice to read, lovelylady, that at least one peson is familair with some of these customs! Personally, they were all new to me! I had read before about some unusual customs, routines and traditions practiced around the world, but none that involved children! And I'll be over soon to find out about that whoopie pie! Thanks!
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 5:42 AM
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Re: jimmy
I imagine, jean, that it's all subjective. People will always exclaim "Don't tell me how to raise my child!" What's works in one family, or culture, will always seem odd to another. But yeah, the "leaving the unattended babies" seems to be the one factoid that everyone is the most confused over. It really doesn't sound right, or possible. And feeding cabbage to infants? Well, I guess some people don't mind changing diapers over and over and over . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 5:38 AM
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Re: Jimmy...
It did sound strange to me too, Rumor. And you can go ahead and doubt those sources all you like! I'm just passing on what I read. However, something tells me that there may be a piece or two of the puzzle missing with that particular info, like perhaps there are special monitors in place nearby, or at least some type of social worker standing at the ready who acts as a unified babysitter. It really is hard to imagine going into a store, any store, and just casually leaving your baby outside unattended . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 5:29 AM
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Re:
Thanks, C C T. Yeah, feeding that cabbage to infants may be bad, but leaving them unattended outside of a store? If those were my choices, I think I'd say "Pass the cabbage please!"
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 5:21 AM
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Re: Re: This is a proper eye-opener~
Perhaps, Ciel, it may because the parents of those Pacific island children teach them early on to respect those dangerous tools and instruments, as well as life itself, something that apparently many of our fellow citizens and parents continuously fail to do . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 5:18 AM
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Re: This is a proper eye-opener~
The only "unusual" thing, Ciel, that I had ever heard prior regarding the French and their children was how early in life they began to serve them wine with their meals. But, as we've pretty much determined, what works well in one culture may seem bizarre in another. Hey, there might be people in Chili, Morocco, Spain or South Africa who would find some of our everyday "normalties" quite peculiar . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 16, 2013 at 5:15 AM
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Japanese ladies carry little towels around with them too, used to wipe hands after washing. You don't find paper towels or air dryers in the bathrooms of subways, etc. I also knew about the Japanese babies sharing the parent's room until they at least start school. Yes - very interesting info, Jimmy!
posted by
adnohr
on May 16, 2013 at 12:59 AM
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yes i agree with you on that one....either you would be arrested for child abandonment or the child has a high probability of "disappearing" forever....neither one a good result
posted by
Annicita
on May 15, 2013 at 10:31 PM
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The "forest kindgergarten" struck me as the oddest too...It is different to read of how other cultures rear their children.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on May 15, 2013 at 8:07 PM
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My Dad sure believed in, and practiced, that a child should be seen and not heard. We were scared to make a sound when he gave us the evil eye, which we called "the vitnus".
posted by
TAPS.
on May 15, 2013 at 5:58 PM
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Jimmy,
Believe it or not, I've had friends from most of the countries you've listed...I'm also familiar with some of these customs...particularly the one about German school children.
By the way, if you care to read my next post, I've answered your whoopie pie question!
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on May 15, 2013 at 2:49 PM
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jimmy
the only one i thought odd was leaving your baby outside the store unattended. the japanese birthdays, i was raised that way and so were my boys. and the others , well they sound ok to me, even cabbage for the babies, some even sound better than what i did.
posted by
jeansaw
on May 15, 2013 at 12:07 PM
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Jimmy...
Its hard to believe babies would be left outside stores in Denmark, but I'm not doubting your sources...you're right about how such a practice would be received in the U.S. or here in Canada, and no doubt in a lot of countries.
..
posted by
Rumor
on May 15, 2013 at 12:07 PM
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I think I had Japanese birthdays. Surely there is someone to keep an eye on those babies Jimmy can you see any mother leaving them unattended. If not it would not be my store. Sounds horrible giving cabbage to babies. Very interesting facts though.
posted by
C_C_T
on May 15, 2013 at 10:45 AM
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Re: This is a proper eye-opener~
PS--there is a society in the Pacific islands, I forget which one, that leaves all kinds of blades lying around, and toddlers play with knives and machetes, and never seem to get injured.
Too bad that leaving guns accessible to children in our society doesn't have at all the same results.
posted by
Ciel
on May 15, 2013 at 10:09 AM
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This is a proper eye-opener~
and maybe a mind-opener, as well. The world over are people who do things differently from what's normal to us, and somehow, it works for them at least as well as our solutions for life's problems and challenges work for us.
And I agree, what works well in one place could be disastrous in another, because all those solutions depend on context, they don't stand alone.
Amusing, that the French have such a focus on food and eating.
posted by
Ciel
on May 15, 2013 at 10:06 AM
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