Being polite to a guest

After President Ahmadinejad came to the USA, many people in Skypeland wanted to voice various opinions about it. One young Iranian/American man came in and claimed that it was rude of the president of Columbia University to give a short critical speech before Ahmadinejad's speech, since they would never do this in the Middle East. I pointed out that he is in the USA, not the Middle East, and when in Rome, you do as the Romans do. And in the USA, people behave like they do in the USA. Someone was expecting people in the USA not to behave like they are in the USA? And if they do not like it, too bad.

Why do people from the West visiting the Middle East conform to Middle Eastern standards for dress codes? They are following this very principle. Why do I use the local currency when I visit a foreign country? I am following this very principle. Why do I expect to hear the local language, eat the local food, and follow the local customs, when I am in another land? I am following this very same principle.

So given all that, why are people even whining about how the US is acting in this instance? Believe me, if sharp questions had not been raised about this man's views and behavior, it would have looked very bad for Columbia and free speech.

People seem to think that democracy and free speech means freedom from offense. It does not; just remember the publication of the Mohammad Cartoons in the West. If the Middle East is offended by this, so much the better, because their lack of knowledge of the outside world is part of what is preventing them from understanding the West and current events and history. As Wafa Sultan says, they need to be insulted more frequently and more vigorously.

People also think Ahmadinejad should have been accorded some measure of respect to spread his hate-filled agenda without opposition at Columbia as a head of state.

*First, we all know he is not a head of state (except in name).

*Second, someone like that deserves minimal respect.

*Third, in a nation with free speech, he and everyone else should have expected he would be challenged. If someone did not expect this, they do not know the US very well and better learn quickly.

*Fourth, Ahmadinejad certainly offends other leaders and nations on a daily basis with his rhetoric; where is his respect? Respect is a two-way street.

*Fifth, Ahmadinejad wants a "debate" with Bush in front of the UN, so he is not showing much knowledge of the formalities and procedures of the UN, so he himself wants to engage in the very criticism of another leader that he has expressed so much outrage over.

*Sixth, in Western culture, a guest who repeatedly insults his hosts who are extending him hospitality as Ahmadeinajad did is not going to be treated with much respect. Ahmadinejad accused the US of terrorism, greed, selfishness, war crimes, and a lot of other misdeeds, all while smiling. His accusations were far worse than those made by the president of Columbia. After all, the president of Columbia did not accuse Iran of engaging in terrorism itself, or advocate the elimination of the state of Iran, which is what Ahmadinejad did to another sovereign state.

So, I get tired of the whining... If you go to a Chinese restaurant, you should not complain that they do not have Mexican food there.