Overgeneralization

Come on. We are all probably guilty of overgeneralizing. It's a human brain mechanism, a system of processing things we sense and perceive. An instance,

"In India, the caste system is still prevalent, as with the rest of Asian countries (see wiki). But I wouldn't forget how shocked my colleague was upon learning that the word 'kabayan' is not a class in a society. Funnier still, that a Pakistan national would call me 'kabayan'."

I came to know later on that they thought of the word 'kabayan' as a societal label as per the talk I had with two Pakistanis. So I clarified, 'kabayan' translates 'we belong to the same country.' I prayed they'd undertand, but I only got blank stares.

Cultural misunderstanding is frustrating at times. If only I could speak the languages they know, I might be able to explain things easily. Yet, I believe the Babel linguistic chaos has a good effect: diversity. It's just something we have to live with.

Adieu. (I'm late for work.haha)

I've been meaning to write a story on this two months ago, I didn't have the time. I'll look for more instances like these and put them together. May I find the time to fulfill this promise..hehe