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The Forum > General Discussion > G'day, how you going?

G'day, how you going?

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Love it or hate it, it is in my opinion one of our defining points.

I was sitting on a bench in front of the supermarket when the security guy was walking passed and smiled at me, his brilliant white teeth a stark contrast to his ebony skin.

"G'day", I said. He cautiously approached and said hello.

If you have never listened to another talk, I mean listened, with an open mind and heart, then you will never be as lucky as I was tonight.

In the 15-20 short minutes I heard of a young African boy who had for as long as could remember, had been minding cattle, guarding them from hungry lions. Not only had he never been to school, but the language of his people had no word for it.

Knowledge was disseminated from parent to child, brother to brother, elders to youngsters. Laws were not written but ingrained into their culture, their tribes and there families.

Honor was so important that death was preferable to dishonor.

I heard of wars and crime and how this young African had to flee, how he had to leave his family behind.

I heard of life in refugee camps, of the moving, mixing of cultures, tribes and races. I heard how this your African cattle herder, now 13 years old, attended a school within the refugee camp.

I heard how during his years in the refugee system he met a young woman, they fell in love and married.

I heard that how after a succession of processes and countries this young African cattle herder came to stand guard at Coles in Mt Druitt.

I suppose he is still today watching over the cattle as they amble past him to feed, still standing guard from the predators.

What a pity more of us don't reach out and say: G'day, how you goin, maybe it would be a better planet if we do.
Posted by Wybong, Wednesday, 6 January 2010 10:44:46 PM
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Wybong.

Again you give us a gift.

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to this young man and then to transmit to us the story.

I'm reminded of a tale I once heard about an African dignitary being taken, while visiting Britain, on a tour of one of the better schools. I believe he uttered words to this effect:
"But why are these children shut away in these buildings - they are just at the age when they should be learning something".
Posted by Poirot, Thursday, 7 January 2010 1:56:36 AM
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Thanks Wybong. Beautiful post. Brought tears.

You have prompted me to pick up my act and get out there and greet people, open up, be more friendly, start conversations, etc.

Cheers
Posted by Ludwig, Thursday, 7 January 2010 9:31:33 AM
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Yes, excellent post Wybong. I've had similar experiences with Sudanese refugees here in the little country town where I live. While there were some language problems, the simple act of saying "G'day" to someone often begins the process of cross-cultural understanding, not to mention improving migrants' English skills.

And as you say, they often have fascinating - indeed, heart-wrenching - tales to tell. I often think that if more ordinary Aussies were aware of refugees' stories, particularly told firsthand, there'd be a lot less antipathy towards them.

Cheers, and welcome to OLO.
Posted by CJ Morgan, Thursday, 7 January 2010 10:04:50 AM
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Thanks Wybong. You have unwittingly called me to account. When people say to me, "How ya going." I answer, "On foot." They sometimes look puzzled, but that response generally prevents further conversation. Next time, I will try to engage the other.
Posted by david f, Thursday, 7 January 2010 10:05:52 AM
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lol I said that once and ended up getting married, a bit extreme I know. But I did learn they are the same as everyone else warts and all so feel less inclined to put them on a pedestal. Just the same.
Posted by TheMissus, Thursday, 7 January 2010 10:31:26 AM
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