It was commented by an expatriate today that Bulgarians have loads of time off work for celebrations and festivities, whatever the cause, but don’t have any money to fully take advantage of the party times. This comment was taken and put in perspective when mentioning that it was the opposite in the UK where people have lots of disposable income, but no time off from work to spend it on partying.
Generalisation just makes my blood boil and this is a fine example of that. How can anyone make a statement like that and label everyone as being the same here in Bulgaria or likewise in the UK? Why say something like that, is it a reaction they are after or is it just being too lazy to draw more into the observation, which actually isn’t an accurate observation anyway?
I took the essence of the comment and made the point that many Bulgarians don’t need money to celebrate or party, they just need company and there’s plenty of that around with their normal socialable habits. Good cheap homemade food and drink with company and a television provides a formula for celebrations that cost no more than a normal evening meal anyway. In fact it is cheaper to have a get together and party as the savings on heating just one home rather than several makes good economic sense.
It is always a cold winter here and most people are tucked away in one heated single room whether entertaining others or not, why do they need riches to be happy in joyful communities?
So for someone to say that Bulgarians can’t afford to party is a categorical lie.
Generalisation just makes my blood boil and this is a fine example of that. How can anyone make a statement like that and label everyone as being the same here in Bulgaria or likewise in the UK? Why say something like that, is it a reaction they are after or is it just being too lazy to draw more into the observation, which actually isn’t an accurate observation anyway?
I took the essence of the comment and made the point that many Bulgarians don’t need money to celebrate or party, they just need company and there’s plenty of that around with their normal socialable habits. Good cheap homemade food and drink with company and a television provides a formula for celebrations that cost no more than a normal evening meal anyway. In fact it is cheaper to have a get together and party as the savings on heating just one home rather than several makes good economic sense.
It is always a cold winter here and most people are tucked away in one heated single room whether entertaining others or not, why do they need riches to be happy in joyful communities?
So for someone to say that Bulgarians can’t afford to party is a categorical lie.
I've got plenty of disposable income and enough time to spend it. Here in the UK I'm more worried about someone begging it off me or mugging me for it. I'll take the safer option and stay in and save it.
ReplyDeleteHere in our village every day is a party and every time you walk by someones house they cry out,"gin kaw" translated to mean "EAT RICE" , any time folks get together in Thailand to eat together it is a party. good food and good friends " it don't get any better than this " and I'm sure the same wholes true for Bulgaria.No money just good time . Malcolm
ReplyDeleteSince I've been reading your blog I've seen you at several celebrations. :-) Yes...people usually generalized because they ARE lazy.
ReplyDeleteIn Asian countries, being white is perceived as being wealthy - another deep-rooted misconception which will not be erased anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI detest unscrupulous traders n service providers who thinks nothing of overcharging or shortchanging us every which way they can.
My hubby has told me abt stalkers while he was in Cairo, Istanbul n Fujairah. They always appear in groups, touting sales of anything under the sun, persistingly getting in his way n getting on his nerves !
Dutchie:
ReplyDeleteI must agree entirely with your point. I had this in Sri Lanka, being white is being rich - which by the way wasn't the case.
It is slightly easier in Bulgaria as I am half greek cypriot and have a slightly darker skin, similiar to the Bulgarians colour, it's only when I open my mouth that I get labelled rich!
Generalisations are always an issue - whole nations, nationalities, races, religions, genders and ages of people can be quickly labelled in one statement. All you can do is correct them and hope people don't except such claims so readily.
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