I met a Native American online and have some questions regarding the culture, to see if he has these beliefs because of his ethnicity, as he claims, or otherwise. He thinks I have not "cut the apron strings" with my grown children (mid-20's) who live out of state because I talk to them about once a week by phone. He thinks I am intrusive when I try to talk about how he feels about things. The best (worst?) one is, he is planning on leaving his family Christmas Eve & Christmas Day to stay alone in a motel with his spirits, always does this, does not like holidays. He says these beliefs are part of his spirituality & seems to think I cannot understand his spirituality since I am Caucasian. I believe I have a good relationship with God & am spiritual, but also enjoy being around people, especially my family. He wants to be free to go & do as he pleases anytime, anywhere so he can spend time with the spirits that surround him. Which one of us is off-base here? Serious replies only please
2006-12-18 01:25:54 · 7 answers · asked by harlowtoo 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
First off, his "practices" have nothing to do with his heritage.
Second, don't let him impose his views of how your children should be raised, i have the same relationship with my mum as you do with your kids and i'm grateful for it.
It sounds to me that he is trying to deflect personal inquires of himself by saying it's his heritage and you wouldn't understand, thereby never having to explain himself to you or anyone else for that matter.
And going to a hotel to be with spirits!!!! Come on, that is so ridiculous. From my experience we don't commune with the spirits in a building you go into nature to connect, and our ceremonys' do not coincide with "christian" holidays like xmas or easter, etc.
My experience with Native men (ones' who observe tradition) has always be respectful, no excuses, honest answers and open-ness. It sounds to be like a lot of excuses on his part.
Let me know if i can be of any help my email is in my profile on answers. Cheers
2006-12-21 07:56:31 · answer #1 · answered by Miss J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this person has no more real identity to you then written words, you can't trust if he's truthful about who he is. There are a lot of fakers and wannabe internet Indians out there.
That said...the Native people I have talked to online have always given me the gist of viewing family as much more important then this man apparently does. (And more-so then many whites seem to do.) That's not to say there are not messed up families in all backgrounds and cultures (especially with the problems that were handed to them unasked for), but either way he sounds to have problems you're best to keep your distance from. (Who in their right mind would think you are too tied to your children if you talk to them only once a week? Really that could be bitterness over his own life showing.)
2006-12-19 14:41:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Native Americans are extra local then the White settlers that may to America within the 1500's. Not many countries are local to their possess land. Africans and Middle Easterns maybe the one ones that stayed within the land they have been born in. The others immigrated and went to different nations.
2016-09-03 15:45:14 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Native men are hard to understand, especially if you are caucasian. I know from experience, I'm married to an Apache. I agree with what others have said though, Natives for the most part are VERY close to their family. Sounds strange to me that he wants to be by himself in a hotel on the holidays and that you are too close to your children. Be careful.
2006-12-20 09:25:15 · answer #4 · answered by chizhy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Natives are known to have very strong family bonds. It was this way a 1000 years ago, and it is (for the most part) this way today.
Family is of the utmost importance to Natives...
If he has something else going on...than maybe this is why he does this.
Of the many tribes in th US, our biggest cultural similarity is holding family and community as your number one priority.
2006-12-18 14:52:16 · answer #5 · answered by n8vchick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He sounds a bit selfish, but it could just be that he doesn't like non-Natives asking such sensitive questions. Could just be a smart-aleck reply to a bad question. That is actually an intrusive sort of question to ask in many Native cultures.
2006-12-18 01:27:58 · answer #6 · answered by Danagasta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Walk a mile in his moccasins before you decide who's right or wrong.
2006-12-18 01:28:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋