Right or Wrong

Right or Wrong

Whether we think something is right or wrong largely depends on where we have been brought up and what experience we have had. For example, helping others automatically when they are carrying things is communal nature in China, but this can seem intrusive for an independent westerner. We all know these cases so when we get disagreements with foreigners, we just smell and say that it’s cultural difference. But there will always be a quarrel between two people who are from the same culture. It always comes to such a situation that they all think they get the right points and another one should agree and support without thinking by all means. So they will feel so surprised when finding someone totally disagree with their ‘common senses’. That’s because everyone has unique thinking styles even though they have been learning same things from their childhood. I didn’t realize it until this Tuesday.

Our topic this week is human rights and privacy and boundary. There were some little discussions in our Tuesday’s Supplementary Materials such as ‘What do you think your employer should ask about your private life?’ When I previewed, I just considered them as some simple questions because I think everyone should agree with my opinion. But the truth seemed to be totally different. I was so surprised to find that George had so many disagreements with me. One question, for instance, was that ‘Do you suffer from any physical disabilities?’ If my boss asks me this question, I may be angry because I think it’s a kind of affront. But George said that it was essential for an employer to know about that. How come? Another question was ‘Have you ever been convicted of a serious traffic offence?’ I think whether I have or not is my case. It’s none of others’ business and also has no relationship with my work. But George thought it showed responsibility of an employee. I can’t find their responsibility from their being convicted! If so, every criminal will have strong responsibility! The debate climaxed with a question about drugs. I don’t think people who have ever take drugs should not be given opportunities to have a job. A person who have ever take drugs and now get away from it must have strong mind. I think they can do everything they want as long as they make up their mind. But George totally disagreed with me.

Finally our heated debate was stopped by NiBei (Thank you,NiBei!), the only girl in our group. Both George and I got our faces red and were little unhappy. But at least we came up with a conclusion that, George and I are totally different! I respect George as well as his opinions. And I know he’s the same. But I have never realized that different people may have such different ways in thinking styles. Right can be wrong, and wrong also can be right!