Cultural obsenitites

Culturally we have disgusted this country. We have successfully violated all of the customs in Poland. Its a good time.

1) We wanted to meet our neighbors. So we thought...make American cookies and write a note. For Family Night we would walk around and deliver them to the homes that didnt have a man eating dogs sitting out by the front gate and say HELLO! But we found out from the Nate's secretary that that is a violation of customs. The people will not like us but rather think we are strange. They will not eat our cookies because why would we make and give cookies to a stranger unless we had evil intentions? It just isn't done. Period. How were we to know? The gardener neighbor dropped off zuccini and tomatoes. We ate them! Maybe he was made we moved in and they were poisoned? Lucky we didn't die! sheesh! He must have been trying to mislead us.

2) Striking up a conversation with somebody we don't know. strange. What could be more strange than looking at your shoes all day? I'll tell you... talking to somebody you don't know. Or worse.... saying hi to a complete stranger with a smile. That is a NO NO! Just put your head down, look straight ahead at your stylish shoes and walk quickly. Thats all.

3) Gifting. Keep your gifts to i tunes cards and lotion. They are sacred and should only be passed out to people you really really know and love. It is not okay to say thank you with a gift and it is very strange to write a thank you note.

4) Don't say hello... but you better not forget to say goodbye! Don't talk to a single soul but when you leave an elevator, the grocery store line or any public venue if you don't give a shout out, "goodbye" then you are rude. And the better part... you say goodbye and everyone... EVERYONE... shouts a goodbye back. YEP, That makes sence!

5) Parties. Gathering of people in your home is not okay unless you know them well. I mean friends... which how do you make friends?... parties/gatherings are taboo in your home unless you are family. How do families even form here?

6) Sharing religion. Unless you are a Roman Catholic, you belong to a cult or you don't believe in the Almighty at all. It is terrifying for one to receive a Book of Mormon which is an official invite to join my cult, be a sister wife and move to my compound or I will make you loose your job, destroy your family and eat your dog for breakfast right before your eyes. This is my personal favorite! It is so ironic that Poland was the first country behind the United States to adopt religious freedom into their constitution... and they even proclaim their religious freedoms today... but they don't live them.

Needless to say, the Mecham's have violated all of these rules. We have come to an understanding that making friends is not as easy as it used to be.
We are thankful for the "out on the limb" Polskis who joined our cult... because somehow they also adopted a forward thinking culture into their lives where they will say hello, talk to you and even invite you over for a biscut...