Would you agree to name a teddy bear....

[Rhisiart]

Scenario 1: You are from Topeka/Gratz/Genoa/Ottawa/Pretoria (whatever). You are teaching in an elementary school in Britain. You come up with a competition to name a teddy bear. The eight year olds choose 'Beckham'. You go with it and send a letter to the parents telling them of their children's decision.

Scenario 2: You are from Topeka/Gratz/Genoa/Ottawa/Pretoria (whatever). You are teaching in an elementary school in Bolivia. You come up with a competition to name a teddy bear. The eight year olds choose 'Jesus'. You go with it and send a letter to the parents telling them of their children's decision.

Scenario 3: You are from Topeka/Gratz/Genoa/Ottawa/Pretoria (whatever). You are teaching in an elementary school in Sudan. You come up with a competition to name a teddy bear. The eight year olds choose 'Mohammed'. You go with it and send a letter to the parents telling them of their children's decision.

Outcomes:

Scenario 1: You are assaulted by a parent for no apparent reason.

Scenario 2: You are awarded foreign teacher of the year.

Scenario 3: Half the population want to chop your head off (in public).

Context:

Science is moving us into a new revolution of discovery and enlightenment. So why the three outcomes above?

 

[lurk]

Gee this is an easy one, it is because of The Authoritarians!

That really is a good book at that link as well.

 

[bbloke]

I'm only aware of the third scenario as a real life situation, so I don't know if the other two refer to actual events or hypothetical ones. The issue is not so much about science or enlightenment, but about what is personal to someone.

Unfortunately, we can't avoid accidentally upsetting someone somewhere, due to the vast range of backgrounds and experiences. What might be normal and inoffensive to one person might be perceived as mocking or upsetting by another.

Not that I condone the outcome of example three in the slightest! But my point is that both sides are probably mystified by each other's actions, thinking the other is clearly in the wrong and wondering how they can behave in such a manner...