WORLD ETIQUETTE — ACCORDING TO ZO
“The Light” – Forrest York
LET’S FACE IT . . . The world is a complicated place.
EARTH is extraordinarily magnificent, breathtakingly beautiful, full of incredibly sophisticated, inventive, and very different people . . . with very different backgrounds . . .cultures, rules, codes, tastes, skin, hair, ethics, belief systems, perspectives, ad infinitum . . .
Humans like to do things our own way – none of us really likes to just follow someone else’s dictates. We like to be creative in our own pursuits (we all do – some to a greater degree than others) don’t deny it . . .
We all like to be attractive, although our views on attractiveness may vary – come on, admit it. Wanting to be loved is essential to our humanity – it is a universal desire.
WE ALL LIKE CELEBRATIONS, ENTERTAINMENT AND GOOD FOOD . . . but celebrations and entertainment preferences vary for each of us and what is considered good food is very different all around the world.
WE ALL want to be admired for something (even if we don’t admit it – sometimes – even if that something is bad) . . .
We interpret everything we experience through mental maps. (These maps are developed over time through influences from each of our unique backgrounds. They are drawn from the family, religious, geographic, cultural, economic and peer education that defines each of us) . We seldom question the accuracy of these influences unless something more profound happens to show us a different perspective. We are all programmed by our circumstances. Many are even unaware that they have been programmed. We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. — These are expanded thoughts extrapolated from an excerpt of Stephen Covey’s Book: 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People — The Power Of A Paradigm Shift
ZO has been planting seeds to build a few major international events for many years. We’re planning a global arts fest featuring music, dance, poetry, etc. that we are developing on our Time ZOne pages. We’ve also been planning a unique gathering where we want to bring everyone to the table, so to speak, with our Best Breakfast in the World Expo. These efforts will celebrate the many worldwide artists that we feature along with sponsors and special guests. Details are in development and we hope to enlist talent from all over the world to participate – each in their own UTC Time Zone. It should be very interesting.
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ZO MAGAZINE is a meeting place for creative souls and is very aware of the cultural differences and dilemmas that global interaction can present. We have connections from various parts of the world who are deep thinkers and who have interesting, relevant, and educational debates (occasional rants and heated disagreements) flourishing on their own personal web pages. These subjects range from regional politics to world conflicts, religious beliefs, racial, ideological, and cultural challenges, and a host of other current topics affecting all of us …
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… for this publication’s purposes, we generally suspend direct commentary, articles, etc. in regard to politics, religious dogma, cultural conflicts, and those types of differences.
WE ACCEPT EVERYONE’s art, music, poetry, etc. (even if it is “respectfully” about the subjects we suspend). Our only criteria is subjective — as to what seems to fit our particular style and concepts. Our evolving International Advisory Board helps us make decisions as to content and sponsors, as we encounter a world that, we all know, is very complicated. In addition to content, here is a short list of guidelines to consider, as we try to do our part to help the world go to the next level of positive global communication. We additionally welcome and would love to hear your respectful comments and suggestions.
We are not directly affiliated with any political, religious, governmental, racial, cultural, or social movement. We are creative thinkers . . . artists . . .
We are ZO
| Zone Other
| Zone Obscura
| Zone Organic
ZO ARTS CONSORTIUM
SPONSORS, CONTRIBUTORS, and ARTISTS
in all Creative Disciplines.
QUESTION: Why are we doing this?
ANSWER: Why not? — we’re dreamers after all . . .
SO HERE IT IS:
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GLOBAL ETIQUETTE FOR A NEW WORLD
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EXAMINE YOUR DEFINITION OF VIOLENCE. Physically, Emotionally, Psychologically. We realize that some insults made on a playful level can be funny and are just teasing, etc. – but – be careful with other people’s physical space, thoughts, and esteem. Teasing can be misinterpreted and we hope you “try” not to injure others.
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BE COURTEOUS. Everyone comes from different circumstances and it takes a while to know people. People have different tastes and may not like yours — you may not like theirs. None of us is always right – we are just different. (If possible, try not to force your insights and interests – and – try not to force your way of doing things on others. The cultures of the world are mature – we’ve all been the way we are for a long time and most of us have heard many opposing views.)
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IF YOU DON’T LIKE SOMEONE’s ART, FACE, RACE, BODY SHAPE, ECONOMIC STATUS, RELIGION, ETC., try to respect their right to be who they are. None of us can particularly help where or who they are born as. (We know that there are those who disagree with this and think one’s position in life is the result of some kind of karma – and that’s fine.)
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IF YOU ARE VISITING ANOTHER COUNTRY WITH A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE – AT LEAST LEARN TO SAY HELLO, GOODBYE, PLEASE and THANK YOU.
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SMILE AT SOMEONE YOU DON’T LIKE OCCASIONALLY.
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TRY TO FIND SOMETHING (perhaps just one thing) COMPLIMENTARY ABOUT AN ENEMY and voice this observation on occasion.
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TRY TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP, KNOW THAT YOU ARE EXISTENTIALLY LOVED BY MANY — and that you would have hundreds of true friends if the world were different.
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BE CALM AND CONFIDENT WHEN SOMEONE INSULTS YOU — if you are able to. Your calmness may diffuse the situation. (Certainly, if you are the one that remains in control, you are the victor in the situation – whether anyone will ever know it or not.)
Most “SANE” people in essence want the same things
Love, Food, Health, Shelter, Respect, Safety for Themselves and FamilyHumans pressure one another into various legal and illegal — civil and uncivil groups
Governments, municipal authorities, civil departments, schools,
institutions (including religions), gangs
will ALL try to pressure you into a kind of “Group Think”Sincerely held belief systems are wonderful growth tools
but if your group espouses harming others — think deeperYOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL
Treat others like you want to be treatedHold on to your individuality — it has been created for a purpose!
Share goodness and love with your creative gift whenever you can
TRY TO PROMOTE REASON and RESPECT FOR ALL LIFE