Comments on: Culture Rejected

By: It’s Not So Enviable | Vagabumming

It’s Not So Enviable | Vagabumming — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:15:55 +0000

[...] to toe the line and work their 9 to 5 in the pursuit of the 2.5 children, white picket fence, keeping up with the Jones’ life. As often happens when I’m back in the States, or even abroad and meet people who lead [...]

By: Living & Working in Kaohsiung, Taiwan | Vagabumming

Living & Working in Kaohsiung, Taiwan | Vagabumming — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 04:01:15 +0000

[...] would expect in any modern city. This area is set far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, suburban high-rise living if you will. Through some quick networking and expression of my desire to have a [...]

By: Will

Will — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:08:06 +0000

Thanks for the feedback, it’s much appreciated! I sort of have as close to a ‘real’ job as I’ve had in quite some time and finding less and less time to write about Taiwan and Mandarin, but believe me I’m loving every minute of it.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:58:52 +0000

Well said man. It took my wife and I a long time to wake up from that nightmare of going through the motions.

We’re currently in the process of selling off our piece of the suburban pie and heading out to Oceania and Southeast Asia in 2012 (we have a lot of crap! we’re also both finishing up our masters thesis as well) to wander for a spell.

We’re looking forward to following your journeys in Taiwan and your foray into the Mandarin language.

Best of luck to you.

By: Auntie C

Auntie C — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:09:04 +0000

BTW- We aren’t really white unless you’re a true albino- we’re sort of a pinkish-tan. The Native Americans had it right. We are the “Pale-faces”. All the other races are various shades of brown. I’m just saying…

By: Auntie C

Auntie C — Tue, 18 May 2010 06:52:47 +0000

Hark! I believe I hear an echo down through history. This was the whole point of the 60′s. (ok the youth movement/hippie part of the 60′s) My generation turned its back on the “Establishment” for the very reasons you describe. They dropped out, grew their hair long, wore funky clothes and walked around barefoot to prove they had no need of material things. They demanded peace and weren’t afraid to use violence to get it. Ah it was a grand revolution! Ironically, those are the same people whose children are the soccer moms and Yuppies of today. The hippies themselves mostly grew up, settled down and bought into the very “Establishment” they so reviled in their youth. Most are now retired and quite happily collecting social security and a pension.
There are a few who never sold out their beliefs and they are joined by a few of the younger generation like yourself who reject our materialistic society. There will always be those that reject the status quo- and I say more power to them. Without a few rebels nothing would every change.

Still, it’s a good thing there are those who are fulfilled by raising families and living in suburbia. It would be a bit chaotic if nobody ever put down roots or worked a 9-5 job. There is an old cliche that says “It takes all kinds to make a world.” Cliche’s become cliches because they are so true, and that one is no exception.