Culture and Religion- Bonds or Bound??

It was another day at work. Work all morning till its time to go and sit with colleagues in the cafeteria, get the soothing view of the Lake Ontario, one I always look at with awe at its vastness and calmness. There are a variety of ppl we come across everyday, some laugh at what we do in the elevator, some compliment us... strange ppl find my smile better than my eyes....neway there are also ppl who look too sleepy n tired to even look at the others around themselves- many i suspect were on Diaper change duty throughout the nite.


Nelia- from Portugal, Widad- from Ethopia, Nipa n myself- From India form a multi cultural group of our own. We were having our usual conversations about our lunches and food, ppl from our department, Nelia tried to pronounce Bhujia which was always "Bujia" for her till she had to have the last word and said that she would read the letters of the word I was tryin to ask her to read aloud, in SPANISH so the poor snack has been renamed as "buhiya" -"J" in spanish is pronounced as a "Y"...she went on to  mimick the italian accent and after getting stern looks from the lady seated next to our table, an italian I guess, she decided to stop.....thats the usual with us at the cafeteria. You cant sit there with a serious face with us around.
Suddenly we began talking about the news and then the focus went on to a father who shot his daughter for refusing to wear a Hijab. Widad being a Muslim and nipa n I being indians understand the importance religion holds in the eyes of our parents and the generations before them, especially for the ones who migrate to other countries, especially the two North American Countries considered mainly as the WESTERN WORLD. We didnt really react to it but Nelia, who had never witnessed such restrains in her life in any form, found it rightfully unfair to the girl who got no say in what she wanted to do to adapt to the country she came to live in. I quietly(you bet quietly) witnessed the exchange of ideas between Nelia and Widad, whether one should let go or hold on to the traditions one has been brought up with back home to adapt to that of the new place you have come to live in for the years to come at least.
When you sit and analyze the points they brought up, there are a few things you agree with and a few questions you still ponder over. The Canadian government is going to make wearing burkhas and similar garments that cover the face of the individual, illegal. Nelia pointed out that it was the right thing to do since it only masks the identity of the person you converse with and makes it uncomfortable both the parties in the conversation. The facial expressions and eye to eye contact during conversations make them easier for both the parties in it. Point noted.
The cultural difference between all of us was another thing that I noticed. While having a boyfriend and maintaining a live-in with them before marriage is okay with many in north america, it is unaccaptable to others, like indians particularly since we are always reminded that its not part of our culture. To go out clubbing every friday night is just a stress buster for many but it maynot be okay with others like italians, muslim kids and Indians taking a few examples...reason...remains the same. Its not our culture. There are many other small things that make the cultural difference evident and sometimes makes it a bit difficult for many to mingle though it makes every person equally different. While one part of my mind believes that when you do move to a new place, start a new way of life then why not open our minds to these changes? then the other part of me thinks that its our culture that defines us and its something we know well, its something that is our identity. we already make many new adjustments then why let go of the little that is left with one. Laws are made to protect us, rules are made to keep you safe, and one should abide by them, but what do you do in instances like the ones where Sardars refuse to wear helmets thanks to the turbans they wear as part of their religion?? Either he has to follow the rules and be bound by his religion or and drive a car or he should be allowed still to drive with the turban on....They can bound u in cases u cant break free...sometimes they are the reason when u look at another u smile at them feeling the bond between you and them.....coz we all are humans afterall....why bound ourselves when we can bond??