Strength of humanity in crisis...

[spokewench]

I am amazed at the devastation and the stoic nature of the people as well. I was very happy to hear this morning that my friend who is a professor here at the University found her family. She is Japanese and her mother and elderly alzheimer grandmother lived in a house near the beach in Sendai. My friend finally heard this morning that her family is well and made it to a shelter.

That was wonderful news

[bikerchic]

....live in Tokyo and as I spoke to them yesterday on the phone one thing that I was amazed by was their concern for those who are really in the trenches of the disaster. They seemed to feel guilty for having a home, running water, electricity, food and wanted to give and help those in need.

My son is looking for ways he can help with the rescue, however the government is urging people to stay out of the disaster areas unless trained to be there in search and rescue. Smart thing IMHO! They certainly don't need anymore statistics.

They also aren't being told much by the government with the radiation fallout except to take all precautions like STAYING INDOORS! And wearing covering for their skin, head, and a mask when going outdoors. Kinda says it all to me, I am trying to stay positive but it's hard from so far away.

I am most grateful they are alive and well!

That said yes I do agree with you that their society as a whole conducts themselves in a sensible humane way and perhaps have less of an "every-man-for-himself" attitude. I don't know why that is, I can only offer this the outcries of the few are heard loud and clear when they are offensive to human dignity. If that makes sense, not everyone and hopefully most people are not so selfish in nature.

[lph]

I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.

[bikerchic]

I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.

I agree with that! It always helps to remain calm in a crisis!

[badger]

I think it's partly due to the fact that the Japanese have had to weather so much before, that it's just another hurdle they have to go through. They've had devastating earthquakes before, and they've picked themselves up. They'll do it again.

When I was talking to my mother, she didn't seem concerned at all; she's going to Nagoya next Monday but her response was "it's up in the North and everything will be fine by next week".

I spoke with my cousin, and while she's south of Tokyo, she said it was the most horrifying thing she's ever experienced, that the aftershocks kept swaying her building enough for her to feel motion sickness.

Now, living in an earthquake zone that is sorely overdue for a "big one", I think we'll have a much harder time grappling with it and picking ourselves up because we've never had to deal with anything to that level before.

[NbyNW]

I think it's a difficult proposition to measure very different cultures against each other as they all have strong features in very different areas, but certainly I feel that the Japanese emphasis on politeness, calm and civil behaviour is serving them very well in situations of crisis like this, and is a great resource for the entire society.

I agree. Plus I do think that we've seen many cases in different parts of the world where a crisis can bring out the best in people.

At the same time, there is much we can learn from how the Japanese prepare for and respond to earthquakes. As a culture they have a long history with these major events and have made earthquake readiness a top priority. As bad as things are, it seems that it could have been much, much worse.

We have a different history, and a different collective memory about natural disasters in the U.S. Different geography, frequency and type of events. I'm as guilty as anyone about not having my emergency preparedness kit ready. I believe many communities have emergency plans, but how aware of them are the average Joe/Jane?

[Trek420]

That is wonderful news bikerchick and spokewench. Now we wait and keep Smilingcat's family in our thoughts and prayers.

I've got the flu today or I'd be at work helping run a fundraiser for Red Cross. Guess we all do what we can from where we are.

[bikerchic]

That is wonderful news bikerchick and spokewench. Now we wait and keep Smilingcat's family in our thoughts and prayers.

I've got the flu today or I'd be at work helping run a fundraiser for Red Cross. Guess we all do what we can from where we are.

Thanks it is good news! I also will keep Smilingcat's family in my thoughts.

I wish you much success on the Red Cross fundraiser!