Cultural differences are prevalent among different countries as characters are different form one place to the other. Differences are usually evident from several perspectives that include religion, culture and politics. In the book ‘Scotsh and Holy Water’ there is a clear indication of the exertions of Tumpane as he moves to Turkey. The book is a series of short stories that show the experiences of the author based on the cultural aspects of the country and the characters that he meets in the new country. During his stay Tumpane learns the language, lifestyle and the culture of people of Turkey as he resided in the country for more than 10 years. The author informs us of the ideologies, his western habits and his multicultural experiences in Turkey. Adaptation to his new environment enables him to settle in the country comfortably (Tumpane). The author is involved in several multicultural situations in the new areas he visits that made him politically incorrect. There is an expression in the manner through which Tumpane ultimately grows fond of Turkey through its architecture and rich historical background while in Turkey. It is evident that many people agree with Todd’s argument that there is no such thing like monoculture because there are a variety of cultures in the world that make us unique (Todd 1).
The book has different characters that are useful in the illustration of several character traits like Selma, Nuri and Jimmy. The characters exhibit different lifestyles in the life that the author is used to in the USA and Turkey. In the context of , Selma, Nuri, and Jimmy story indicates the differences experienced in America and Turkey. From Salem's story in Turkey, every bar girl has three different lovers who are Sugar Daddy, Derdush, and the boy back home. Nuri a beautiful Yugoslavian carpenter boy life story is heartbreaking. It is rarely witnessed in America for one’s father to betray his son after support has been provided to him. The story is heart wrenching as Nuri gives up the money obtained from his shoemaking to his father but ultimately his father disowns him despite all his efforts. For Jimmy there is despair in his life as he is a house help and this causes low self-esteem. House helps in Turkey are paid dependent on the decisions of their bosses and not on minimum wages as is customary in America. The cultural difference creates diversity in the cultural attitudes that people have and identify with. Culture affects different operations in the world. The world is a global center people are different based on the environment in which they work. Culture affects our personalities and character. It is through a culture that we get to understand the expectations and our actions accordingly. The manner through which we see and perceive the world is mainly based on how we view the same from our native culture as we case where one is used. Core aspects of one’s character and personality are what is require for growth and as people’s characters mainly emanate from the area in which they originate. The characters live strange lives as well as lovable lives, and this goes on to show the different in personalities. As such due to the differences, this illustrates that the world cannot be of one culture as people are distinct from each other. Cultural background may influence personality. These backgrounds are different from one country to the other thus making of one global culture is difficult. Globalization has a lot of advantages, and the use of globalized culture village may not be easily achieved.
Culture is heavily influential especially on ones habit. John’s habits do not change, and much is learned from him in the same manner through which he learns from the Turks. Despite living in a foreign country, it is equally hard to change one’s habits as they are ingrained in the personality of an individual. People are defined by their habits, while the adoption of a monoculture in the worldwide context may be hard to implement as the different characters may not allow people to exist in harmony as they would prefer. Western habits may not be formally acceptable to citizens in Asia or Europe, and the creation of globalized culture may not be conceptualized. Habits may range from eating habits to social habits as some may be considered inappropriate in other counties. Social norms are not consistent and in a globalized culture, it will be hard to maintain an acceptable way of living in a social community.
The western culture used by Tumpane makes him politically incorrect and in the text, as there is an expression of the respects for customs that are foreign though he is different. Tumpane maintained his habits despite learning new things as he also learned the Turkish language that was an effective means of communication. Tumpane also meets Dr. Tosun and befriends him. Tumpan defines Turkey in a very interestingly way. He took us to the places he lived- Diyarbakir, Izmir, Ankara, and so many of the beautiful archeological site of Turkey. During all those visits the Turkish way of life was experienced as well as eating habits through family visits with the Suleyman’s family. For instance the mode of sitting as he sat down cross-legged and ate in the huge copper tray on the floor in the middle of the room. The actions of Tumpane illustrate the manner in which he exhibits respect for different cultures and acknowledging their diversity. Positive aspects of the country are illustrated in the book as there are no negative aspects discussed. As I am fond of traveling the book has created a sense of need to visit Turkey and this is through the excellent and wonderful writings of the author on the bright aspects of the country
In conclusion, new cultures and lifestyles can be learned through undertaking visits in new countries. The diversity of the world is clearly illustrated in the book ‘Scotch and Holy Water. Todd provides the right assertions and reasoning on the aspect of the difference of the world in cultural contexts. First, characters are very different from one place to the other especially in the global context. Second western habits create a major difference as they are not similar and acceptable to all persons. Finally, the western habits made him politically incorrect and in the text, he displays respects to the customs of a foreign land even though he was different.
Works Cited.
John Tumpan, "Scotch and Holy Water". Google Books. N.p., 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.
Hilton, Todd “The world is not one Culture,” San Jose: San Jose State University 2015.
