Yesterday, I took a Syrian visitor for dinner. He’s a respectable professor I’d place in his late forties who speaks several languages (at least Russian and English) and has spent some time living both in the US and in the Soviet Union. We somehow came to talking about marriage and having children, and he mentioned he was one of 11 children, and has four of his own. His family is apparently about average in Syria. I said that today, two children are about average in Switzerland, and he said he thought not marrying and having children was extremely selfish. Then he corrected himself and said he’d go farther and call that behavior a crime against society, because the perpetrator is enjoying all the benefits of society without contributing to its continuation.
And here I’d thought it was a crime against society that Starbucks no longer offers a venti-sized tea for the tall price if I decide to only use one teabag instead of two. Now they charge that extra franc, but the barista is obliged to give me the second tea bag. I told her a buck for a teabag was definitely the most expensive teabag I’d ever bought – I didn’t tell her it changes my perception of Starbucks from a place where I can get a big mug of tea for a decent price to a place where I can get a big mug of tea. And that will greatly alter how I feel about stepping inside.
Now, I have this wonderful pre-opened Tazo Chai teabag I’m selling to the highest bidder…
What a great perspective on life! (from the professor, that is) I’ll definitely be sharing this story with my friends. (:
Agreed. At several points during the discussion, I found that my worldview aligns more closely with that of this devout Muslim than with much of what passes for Christian society. If he is the norm and not the exception for Muslims, then I now more readily understand the high growth rates of Islam. Anyone living out his faith with such integrity, depth, and devotion would inspire others to do likewise.
Beautiful, indeed.
As to the tea — you’re paying an extra franc for a little more hot water??? Ignoring for the moment the fact that Starbucks is based in the U.S., your experience confirms in my mind that Switzerland is that contradictory place where clean, fresh drinking water flows perpetually from the city fountains, but if you want to get it in a restaurant you must pay dearly and it doesn’t taste nearly as good. Either that or the disposal tax on cups is really high and based on size.
I’m looking forward to Part 2. I’d like to know more about your worldview discussion.