cross cultural obesity experience

[Guest guest]

I was in Cambodia and Thailand doing medical mission work. You know how

small these people are. Well it was so strange for them to see someone

" fat " . As I and others who were heavy would move around in the crowds.

People would come up and poke you just to feel the fat. Many times it

would be on the " behind " . The children would then giggle and run. But

many of the women would also want to touch. They would usually poke you

on the arm. Of course the chairs looked like children's chairs. I got

me a little wooden stool and carried it around with me to the different

sites we did clinics. There were never enough chairs anyway so it was

not a big deal for me to bring my own chair. When I in Kenya, (doing

the same thing) it was thought to be a sign of success and contentment

to be heavy. For a man to have a " big " wife meant he provided well for

her and she was " fat and happy " . When we were in West Africa as

missionaries I worked so hard to loose weight (it was 15-20 yrs ago) I

remember how the local people thought I was very ill because I was

loosing weight. They did not understand why I was trying to loose

weight.

Well I thought you might get a kick out of how different parts of the

world view us.

bye for now,

Glenda

Wake Forest

[Guest guest]

*warm smile*

Thanks, Glenda. That experience reminded me of an experience I had when I

worked at a hospital in Honolulu, HI.

One Samoan co-worker said to me with a twinkle in his eyes.... " You are very

pretty, but you would be a knock-out if you gained 100 pounds. (I was 250

at that time.) God Bless Him!!!

Jenn in Vancouver, WA

packet approved... YIPPEE!!!!!

ODS denied 3 times because I'm not " dying "

Planning a suit against ODS and employer

waiting to cross... trying to be patient

Glenda Wrote:

<<< When I in Kenya, (doing

the same thing) it was thought to be a sign of success and contentment

to be heavy. For a man to have a " big " wife meant he provided well for

her and she was " fat and happy " . >>>

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/23/2000 6:52:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

ChoctawGal@... writes:

>

> Thanks, Glenda. That experience reminded me of an experience I had when I

> worked at a hospital in Honolulu, HI.

>

> One Samoan co-worker said to me with a twinkle in his eyes.... " You are

very

>

> pretty, but you would be a knock-out if you gained 100 pounds. (I was 250

> at that time.) God Bless Him!!!

>

Thats it..I'm moving to Hawaii where I will be worshipped and adored..LOL!!

Holly