FACES OF TAJIKISTAN...the Cultural Divide

You are right, they were wrong
It is as simple as that. The reactions of the locals tells all. Were they happy with the way they were treated by said trio? No! Did they feel enlightened by them? No! For me it is a classic tale of the 'superior' white European bringing so called civilisation to the uncivilsed barbarians, it's not only rude, it's racist. It is so wrong in so many ways. When I read your blog I could hardly believe it. My mind kept wondering, do people like this really exist? But I know they do, you read about them all the time. I'm not sure what I would have done in your situation. I don't know if I would have been as nice as you were, and I think you were pretty nice. Hope Shane came out of this unscathed...

Courtesy knows no boundaries
You were probably nicer to these complainers than I would have been. I think the only reasons to decline someone's - anyone's - hospitality is if it violated your religious or moral restrictions, or if you truly thought it might be dangerous. I see nothing untoward with an orthodox Jew or faithful Muslim declining to eat pork, and giving an explanation that it is not that the food isn't good enough, just that their religions forbids it. I would decline to eat food that was rancid, even if considered a delicacy like Icelandic fermented shark. Again, I would NEVER demand to be fed something else, just a polite excuse why I couldn't eat what was on offer. That's just good manners, no matter where you are. As far as tipping, I hate tipping. I never know what the customary rate is, and I am always afraid I give too little or too much. I would much prefer that people be paid a good wage so that their livelihood is not dependent on the cheapskates and clueless.

Portraits. Of Humanity
Wonderful faces Dave. I have really enjoyed a few hours on this winters evening reading your blogs for this amazing trip... You have a certain style which lends itself to binge blog reading !!! it’s been like going through a whole box set !! Feeling like I was along with you guys ..I was horrified by the “obnoxiuos ones “ final disgusting escapade. chickens !!! I would have wrung their necks !! I had already read MJ and Dave’s blog so it was very interesting to get your take on it. I have been offering hospitality / Home exchange in my home for many years and usually make lifelong friends but a couple of years ago had a horrible experience when another one of the obnoxious tribe turned on me with an outburst similar to the one you had with your German guy. This pair skulked out of my home at 6 am the following morning without a word after a week where they had stayed for free, I had fed them and drove them round the local sights !! As we say up North “there’s nowt so queer as folk “ . As to your questions .. be kind and generous to anyone offering to share their home and culture , and for tipping I would always take the advice of the local company .. we tipped our guide in Cambodia as he was excelent and went out of his way to look after us .but had a few issues in Vietnam so we chose not to tip , gave feedback about the issues and donated what we would have given to a local charity . GenerAlly people working inthe leisure industry even here in the UK have low wages and as much as we would like things to be fair ..they are not so I would tip. So thanks Dave for the time and effort which has made it possible for us to travel along the road with you. Lynne

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”…
I used to wonder how/when karma would get nasty people, but I've come to realise that living with themselves IS their karma ;) Looks like those three have narcissism levels that would make tyrants blush, with a healthy dose of post-colonial superiority thrown in for good measure. I really really wish the homestay folk had told them to shove it, and sent them to bed with no dinner! But it's a testament to their hospitality that they wanted to please their guests. I'm so glad that you took a stand and said something, I firmly believe that we have a moral duty to call out bullies... which is why I think Desmond Tutu’s quote is spot on. Regarding tipping, I despise it when it's forced upon us rather than it being reserved as a bonus for good service/added value. But acknowledging that a reasonable minimum pay isn't universal, tipping takes on a different meaning when we travel

Tajikistan
Such happy and kind people