Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.94.961218195035.452A-100000@acy1.digex.net> Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1996 20:15:09 -0500 From: Tu and Bob Myers <mailto:tuandbob@ACY.DIGEX.NET> Subject: Re: Culture adjustments To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
On Wed, 18 Dec 1996, MACHARG, KEN forwarded, and then wrote:> I don't understand why the people responsible for the road system don't
> warn people of the hazard and I don't understand why the truckers don't
> do it if the government won't. It wouldn't cost much and would be easy.
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Well, yes, it would make sense. But, if you are going to travel, live,
> work, etc. in a developing country you just can's expect things to be
> done the way they are back home. As my wife and I often remind
> ourselves after living for six years in Ecuador (and several prior
> years in Costa Rica and Panama) you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT say "you would
> think!" It just won't work!
> --Ken MacHarg
What does work is setting a good example instead of complaining and pontificating.
In this case, first asking "Do you think anyone would object if I made a couple of signs saying...", asking a few truckers where the signs might be best placed, and then putting up the signs, maybe with the help of a local or two, gets the job done without getting the local people mad, and may be the start of a public responsibility idea.
Of course it is much easier to wait until your home, and complain how bad or different things are.
Bob