Edit: People seem to be missing the point. I did not send multiple emails. That's what makes the response rude. If I was spamming them then of course this becomes a justified response.

I needed to fill out a form but couldn't so I'd sent an email marked to two teams on Monday and they were very quick to resolve the situation. I edited the subject to "Solved: [original subject]" and said thanks, confirming that it had been resolved. Both teams then sent 4 more emails on that thread, not concerning me directly.

After I filled out the aforementioned form, a message popped up asking me to register for priority but I couldn't engage with the link so I sent a query email asking if that's relevant for me.

I received a response today saying "Dear [name],

Please stop sending numerous emails!

Assignment is solely on a first come, first served basis.

Kind regards."

I'm just wondering if this is normal amongst Dutch-speaking belgians? Because all my colleagues (German) said this is quite rude, since the department I'm emailing is the only department that can help and I sent two unrelated queries.

TLDR: Received a debatably rude response for asking a clarifying question. I was told to stop sending numerous emails even though I sent only two (beyond the scope of the FAQs).

I'd love some insights into the communication culture here and even constructive criticism if you have any!

Hi everyone! I wanted to ask for some honest opinions before I commit to my first tattoo.

I’m studying abroad in Korea soon, and while I’m there, a few friends and I are planning to get tattoos together. I’ve been really intentional about it because I don’t want to get something random just for the experience—I want it to actually mean something and connect to my time there.

I’ve always loved floral designs (especially lilies—they’re my favorite), and I also really like those soft, flowing, marbled lines you see in suminagashi-style art.

I originally got the idea from one of @hongma_tt’s tattoo designs on Instagram, and I really loved the ornamental, delicate style. From there, I used AI to help me add butterflies and those suminagashi-like swirls while keeping the overall structure.

The main element is a norigae-inspired design. From what I’ve learned, a norigae is a traditional Korean ornament worn with hanbok, usually hanging from the ribbon or waistband. They often have decorative knots, tassels, and charms, and they can symbolize things like good luck, protection, prosperity, and personal wishes. I thought that meaning was really beautiful, especially since this study abroad experience is a big personal milestone for me.

I’m not Korean, so I just want to make sure I’m being respectful. I’m not trying to treat this like a trend or just take something for aesthetic reasons—I genuinely want it to represent my time in Korea and something meaningful I can carry with me.

Do you think this would come across as appreciation or appropriation? Is there anything I should be mindful of or avoid?

I’d really appreciate honest feedback—especially from Korean people or anyone familiar with the culture. Thank you!

https://preview.redd.it/g6gwqgpgw32h1.png?width=822&format=png&auto=webp&s=cdd04af3486fb3941568c22bf27f446c91a5c03a

https://preview.redd.it/n2gkgfniw32h1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=58804d9ed1dbc374b6b2936489fed948991cfdbf

J’ai l’impression qu’aujourd’hui, dès qu’on parle de sexualité, il n’existe plus que deux extrêmes : soit le “fondu au noir” ultra aseptisé où deux personnages s’embrassent puis… plus rien, soit la pornographie hardcore façon Pornhub où les corps deviennent des objets mécaniques.

Mais entre les deux, on a perdu quelque chose d’immense : l’érotisme.

- La sensualité, c’est le frisson, le souffle, la tension, l’atmosphère.

- L’érotisme, lui, parle du désir incarné. Des corps qui se découvrent, de la montée de l’excitation, de l’anticipation, du rythme, des réactions physiques et émotionnelles.

- La pornographie, elle, est généralement beaucoup plus explicite et centrée directement sur l’acte sexuel.

Pourquoi tout est mélangé maintenant ? Pourquoi le moindre préliminaire un peu concret est immédiatement considéré comme “porno”, alors qu’à côté on banalise des contenus ultra hardcore accessibles à des gamins de douze ans ?

Je suis la seule à avoir l’impression qu’on ne sait plus écrire le désir ? Qu’on oscille uniquement entre une fausse sensualité ultra vague où personne ne touche réellement personne, et de la consommation de corps déshumanisée et performance sexuelle absurde ?

La langue française est pourtant incroyablement riche pour parler du désir sans tomber ni dans la censure pudibonde, ni dans la mécanique pornographique brute.

J’ai parfois l’impression que plus personne ne sait écrire ou même reconnaître l’érotisme. Alors dites-moi : où est-il passé ?

Et avant qu’on me parle du “smut” : je ne critique ni les scènes explicites ni le porno littéraire. Ce n’est pas le sujet.

Ce qui me frappe, c’est qu’aujourd’hui énormément de contenus dits “érotiques” relèvent surtout d’une pornographie romantisée. L’érotisme, ce n’est pas juste une scène de sexe avec trois métaphores et une playlist TikTok.

L’érotisme travaille le désir, l’anticipation, le rythme, la frustration, le corps et la psychologie. Il donne du poids à l’intimité dans la relation, au lieu de simplement “consommer” une scène sexuelle.

Et j’ai l’impression qu’on perd de plus en plus cette différence.

Many people assume the world’s most “mature” civilizations are in Europe.

But when you compare actual continuity, institutions, and cultural development, the picture changes.

---

1. The World’s Longest Continuous Dynasty

Japan’s imperial line has continued for over 1,500 years without confirmed interruption — the longest in the world.

(For context: Ethiopia’s Solomonic dynasty, often cited as one of the longest, ended in 1974.)

- Japan: No dynastic break since at least the 6th century

- UK: Current royal house established in the 20th century

- France: Monarchy ended by revolution

- China: Repeated dynastic replacement

If civilizational maturity includes institutional continuity, Japan stands in a unique category.

---

2. Kyoto(京都): A Capital for Over 1,100 Years

Kyoto served as Japan’s capital from 794 to 1869 — over 1,100 years.

A single dynasty maintaining a single capital for a millennium is almost unheard of.

By contrast:

- Rome: Ancient → Medieval → Modern, with major political breaks

- Paris: Monarchy → Revolution → Empire → Republic

- London: Multiple dynastic changes

Political stability and cultural continuity place Japan in a distinct historical position.

---

3. A Civilization Where Women Wrote Novels in the 11th Century

In the 11th century, Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji, often considered the world’s first novel.

At the same time, medieval Europe was dominated by feudal structures that offered women little space for literary creation.

If cultural maturity includes who gets to create, Japan reached a sophisticated stage remarkably early.

---

4. 1919: Japan Proposed Racial Equality — and the West Rejected It

At the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, Japan proposed adding racial equality to the League of Nations Covenant.

The proposal received majority support.

It was blocked because the chair — the United States — demanded unanimity.

This episode reveals:

- Western “universal values” were not universal at the time

- Japan was the one pushing for a principle that is now widely accepted

A comparison like this challenges the assumption that moral progress flowed only from West to East.

---

5. Wartime Diplomacy: Japan’s Condolence and America’s Silence

When U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt died in 1945, Japan formally expressed condolences.

The U.S. government ignored them.

Racial prejudice against Asians was widespread in American society at the time, and it influenced political decisions.

This raises a question:

Is a mature civilization one that maintains dignity even toward an enemy, or one that abandons diplomatic norms under pressure?

---

6. The Myth: “Japan Became Democratic Only After Being Nuked”

A common Western belief is that Japan became democratic only after 1945.

This is historically inaccurate.

- 1889: Meiji Constitution

- 1890: Imperial Diet established

- 1925: Universal male suffrage

Japan had parliamentary institutions long before the atomic bombings.

The idea that democracy “arrived” via nuclear fire is a narrative, not a fact.

---

7. The Modern Paradox: Discrimination Reproduces Itself

In recent years, anti-Asian discrimination has risen in Western countries.

This includes cases where historically marginalized groups discriminate against others.

This is not about individuals — it is about social structures.

It shows that “civilizational maturity” cannot be reduced to simple moral binaries.

---

Conclusion

Not religion.

Not military power.

Not economic size.

From historical comparison, a different definition emerges:

A mature civilization is one that sustains ethical norms, stable institutions, and cultural continuity — and applies universal principles consistently.

Japan’s history does not fit neatly into Western-centered narratives.

But when examined on its own terms, it reveals a form of civilizational maturity that is both deep and distinctive.

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if there are more people who feel this way. I was born in the Netherlands to Cape Verdean parents. At home, we spoke the language and our culture was very present (such as in the food we ate, the music that was on, family gatherings, etc.).

The thing is, I've never felt very connected to my culture. I've never had much interest in the music, the culture, or the way of thinking in general. I also knew early on that I'd not be marrying a Cape Verdean man later (Spoiler alert: I didn't). Growing up, I just felt alienated and like I didn't belong.

I also did not have the best connection with my parents. My father had a drinking problem and died in 2020 during the pandemic, and I have no contact with my mother. I'm the one who tried breaking generational trauma and simply went my own way once I started growing up.

A couple of years ago, I did several DNA heritage tests (AncestryDNA, FamilyTree DNA, and MyHeritage) and found that I had a lot of Portuguese heritage (which obviously makes sense given Cape Verdean history). I have always felt very connected to the Portuguese culture and have even studied Portuguese, so I was honestly happy and content to find such a high level of Portuguese heritage in my DNA.

I honestly feel so much more connected to that culture and have tried to find ways to immerse myself in it without leaving out my Cape Verdean/Black history.

Is there anyone else who feels this way? Who do not feel connected to their (Cape verdean) culture?

Thanks!

At some point being "the new girl" stopped feeling stressful and it became a performance.

I had many friends. And yet somehow, none.

At 30 I finally see the pattern clearly enough to name it. Anyone else grow up like this?

Hello

Hello! I am an ASUOnline Organizational Leadership major taking OGL350 Diversity and Organizations and for one of my assignments this summer I need to interview a non-family member that meets these qualifications:

• To qualify as a suitable interview subject, the person must identify strongly with that culture or group.
• The interview subject must have heritage from outside of the United States. 
• The individual's heritage must be different from yours.
  • I am white, born and raised in the US Midwest!

And is okay with:

• A 45 minute virtual interview, likely over Zoom, non-recorded
• I will be asking a series of of questions around race, gender, socio-economic status, culture and tradition, religion, language and ethnicity, and how they have shaped your experiences
• I will be taking notes
• Participation is voluntary and can quit at any time without penalty or loss

Thank you for any interest! I am in CST but will accommodate what I need to make this an easy experience for you!

Edit: typo

So I'm white / European and female whereas my partner is Indian and male. We've been together for some time, and this year we're both invited to one of his cousin's weddings.

I've been warned that my partner will most likely be asked to dance, increasing the likelihood that I as well will be asked to partake in the dance performances, which I assume is the least of my worries as that would grant me a clear objective and rules to follow for at least that part of the celebrations.

His Mamaji / uncle + fam will host us for most of the time. They're located in Varanasi.

My partner was born and raised in Kolkata, the wedding is a destination wedding near some national park, I don't know which one tho, but apparently in a big city.

My most important question is gifts:

What should I prepare for the part of the family hosting and how many other family members should I prepare gifts for, as I will probably meet a lot of extended family throughout the wedding celebrations.

Obviously I will bring something for his mum (but what?) and I assume for the cousins I know will be there and he's close to...anything special for the bride (his cousin is the bride)?

My partner isn't really feeding me much information, probably because he doesn't want me to stress about it, but it only causes me to stress more.

I'd also really appreciate general tips.

I'm focusing to get my Hindi on a conversational level by the time of the wedding, but as contextual as this language is, it's only teaching me so much etiquette.

I usually comment on these topics and get a lot of responses from women in this community, and I’m often surprised by how some describe their marriages and husbands. It’s made me think about it more and want to get different opinions.

On a personal level, I tend to be drawn to more modest presenting hijabi women which is part of why I find these conversations interesting

A lot of the issues that come up seem to be around family involvement, in-laws, and expectations in marriage. I’m trying to understand if this is more cultural or something more general in Muslim marriages.

& myself I’m Somali born and raised in the UK but currently in Middle East and I’ve lived there for a period of time, so I’ve seen a bit from both sides. A lot of the experiences I hear tend to be from Asian backgrounds, but I’m open to understanding the differences rather than assuming anything.

Just curious what others think about it.

A few years ago, travel felt different.

You’d hear stories from friends.

Find random hidden places online.

Get lost. Explore. Remember things.

Now it feels like we scroll through 500 places a day…

and forget all of them tomorrow.

Everything became optimized for content.

Perfect drone shots.

Perfect captions.

Perfect reels.

But somehow the actual feeling of travel got lost in the process.

We’ve been thinking about this a lot while building something in the travel space.

Not another “content app.”

Not another influencer platform.

Something slower.

More real.

More useful.

Still early. Still testing.

But curious if others feel this too.