Generally the idiom means: when you are visiting another place, you should follow the customs of the people in that place.
Do you agree or disagree with this?Some examples: I know you don't normally get relish on your hot dog, but that's the thing here. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
I don't love cotton candy, but we are at a carnival. When in Rome, right?
Everyone in my new office dresses so casually. Should I dress that way, too? Jane: By all means. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
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Do you agree with the idiom "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"?
You should definitely respect the customs of the people of that place, but not necessarily follow them yourself, if that’s not who you are.
Honestly lol, as a Muslim born and raised in the West people have this kinda “When in Rome do Rome” attitude towards you lol😂😂Like I’ve genuinely had people say to me: “You live in England, this is a Christian country so why don’t you convert to Christianity- this isn’t the Middle East” And I just remember those moments and it’s like😂😂😂Like firstly Christianity did not begin in England but sure these are probably the kind of people who think Jesus was white😂😂😂Secondly I just find the logic absurd! Like, should you convert to Islam because you move to or live in a Muslim majority country? Should you convert to Hinduism if you live in India? If you’re of Jewish heritage and move to Israel, should you then convert to Judaism? The answer is no, that’s just beyond absurd.
I mean asides from just sharing a funny experience with that, I think it really displays how ridiculous the “When in Rome, do Rome” kind of attitude is- like I can totally get behind it if it said “When in Rome, respect Rome” you should have respect for the place you live in and everybody who lives there, I’m not opposed to that as well. But to enforce the practices and beliefs of the majority onto somebody who isn’t of the same demographic? Is absolutely ridiculous.
@Pete671 Exactly! I find it so bizarre how a number of people get upset at Muslims in the UK because we don’t want to drink alcohol, eat pork, celebrate Christmas, or go to the nightclub- then the same people will go around preaching freedom🤦🏾♀️
And while I may not agree with eating pork, drinking alcohol, going clubbing etc, I understand this for many this is the culture here, so I am respectful of it. It’s really not that difficult😂🤷🏾♀️
@SpiderManFan2002 i agree with you 100%. What is odd is we have that mentality here in the United States when the country was founded on the principle of freedom of religion. The idea was that only the person has a right to what they believe in and it can not be forced by the government.
@COMMODOREII I know right, some people are so hypocritical. On one hand, if you even mention gun control they’ll be preaching about the second amendment and how sacred the constitution is, yet some of the same people will support banning Muslims from the USA, or they’ll be in favour of banning Islam or deporting all the Muslims or something stupid like that- and I’m here like “but your constitution? Oh right now it doesn’t matter because it’ll work in favour of a group of people you don’t like?”🤦🏾♀️😂
To a certain extent. Obviously don't appropriate, but yeah the saying is mostly relevant and a great way to remind yourself to do new thing and try new things especially whilst travelling.
One should at least consider following customs where one is at as long as they are not harmful though the situation may indicate otherwise. One should use one's own judgement in such things.
I live near a world class beach in Florida. I visit there frequently. The customary attire is a bathing suit. I NEVER wear a bathing suit. I always wear long blue jeans, long sleeve shirt, wide brim hat, thick layer of sun block, sun glasses and shoes. I also never gen sun burnt, never step on broken glass or animal droppings or get stung by sting rays. I get a lot of funny looks but then Florida ain't Rome.
If you actually visit Rome then in most things I suggest you do as the Romans do.
If you work in an office and there is a casual Friday policy then sure wear your golf T and khakis and tennis shoes. But for me, I hate golf T's because they are usually polyester and I get rashes from polyester so I'd go with a short sleeve Oxford style.
I'm diabetic so cotton candy is out for me. Plus I was never a fan of it anyways.
I eat what I want on my hotdog though I do like relish. But I also like mayo and mustard combined and when I'm eating hot dogs that's what I do. Why? Because I don't live in Rome.
When you are in another society or group that hold different views to your own, you should adapt to and abide by their standards of their rules for your own preservation. It's just survival skills and common sense. If you go into a KKK meeting and yell "All people are equal! You're all sick!" is that smart? If you go to a muslim gathering and "Yell... you're all dumb for believing in this nonsense and you're more likely to commit genocide than others!" is that smart? Even if you don't necessarily agree with them, it's sometimes better to blend in with the crowd than stand out and grab hateful attention. Even in medieval times when they would kill anyone that did not believe in god, it was smarter to pretend that you do, for your own preservation.
This is why I don't like muslims that come into other countries and try to force their their religion practices and whatever else they do even if it does not integrate with society, down everyones throats. If you wanted to continue practicing, then stay in your country. It baffles me that they leave for a better standard of life and because they're moving to a country with clearly better ideals, and yet they choose to keep practicing their nonsense from their primitive country.
Sorry I got a little hateful there...
But yes... I agree with the idiom "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".
I agree with this to some extent. I mean, whenever you go to a new place respecting the culture, the traditions and the laws of the place is always a good idea. However, if there's something that you find offensive or something that goes against your beliefs, you shouldn't do it. But this is only if it doesn't get you in trouble.
As someone who has been living in a foreign country for almost 25 years, I believe there must be a balance between your culture and your values and the culture and the values of the region you are now. However, you should never forget where you came from because you do, that means you lost yourself. You're no longer you, you're trying to be someone you'll never be.
If I visit a friends house I do have to abide to that friends house rules. If I visit (or move) to another country, I have to abide to that countries houserules. If I don't like it, I can't go there. Simple as that.
The problem is many people want to have their cake and eat it. Meaning they want to benefit from the places they move to, but not do the actions that lead to those places creating those benefits in the first places. That's called being a leech. And it is disrespectful to the native population.
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Don't be daft - it's a misused term and basically the transliteration is "it's safer to fit in, than stand out.
In Rome back then, they used to feed Christians and criminals to the lions, while people paid to watch. If you didn't "fit in" you would be joining the lions...
Generally, yes. When I'm in the house of others or another country, I do my best to respect and where possible, follow their customs, culture and traditions. That said, I won't compromise my values and go with another saying - "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all".
I try to understand them, I respect their being different and I let the Romans do what they see fit... until they enter my living room; or try to. I may assimilate things that I agree to or find convincing. I will not copy what Romans do simply because I move among them, but I might reduce my own 'visibility' for the sake of keeping peace. Which does not mean that I give up - or discuss- my own dearest values.
Strongly disagree. This idiom might as well be put this way to me, Would you jump off a cliff just cause other people are all doing it who you don't even know?
Ah but now your talking about subjectively on what it is and maybe something i would want to do or not. Not the principle of just follow what everyone else does because when in rome right? Which it's the principle i strongly disagree not the subjective of it's something i would be okay with doing anyway.
"When in Rome means..." try new things and partake in the culture around you, not literally do exactly what everyone else is doing. I didn't know the Roman's were jumping off cliffs either 🤔
@LazyProphet No when in rome means to follow the customs. If there custom was to jump off a cliff then that would be it. If there custom was to sacrifice babies then that would be it. If there custom was to smoke weed that would be it. It can be an example of anything that is a custom to them. And some cultures can have not so great customs. Hell romans are a prime example having lots of bad customs if you wanna look into all the weird things they did. It's pretty much just cultural peer pressure and last i checked i don't agree with peer pressure.
Not to the extend that you cannot stick out, like your example with dressing casual at work. If you want to dress up now and then, go ahead, and also no need to eat things you know you don't like. But having a sense of the culture and avoid doing what is seen as being disrespectful I am all for.
I'd say much of the time... yes. Of course there are plenty of examples that you would not do that. If you live in another country or area you try to fit in... as long as you do not compromise your ethics, morals or values.
In all things but morality it's usually polite to just follow local customs. If something makes you feel wrong or bad stick to your guns. But otherwise as long as it's the way of the locals then just do it.
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So in San Francisco I will shoot heroin in the library, walk outside and shit on the sidewalk. Then I will go into CVS and steal up to $900 worth of goods and go sleep in the park
No. Especially when it comes from African/muslim immigrants who are always trying to change the place they come into, instead of adapting to it. They have no respect for whatever culture or customs there are, they just consider that they'll live as they did back in their ex country and that it's the locals who have to accept it and change for them. If you don't want to live as the locals do, adapt to their customs and way of life, you have nothing to do there, and you can go live the way you want back where you came from. It's very simple, when you're invited by a friend in his home, will you force him to eat at the time you're used to eat, and go to bed when you usually go to bed? No, you follow his rules in his house.
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