Sunday, July 21, 2013

Nature vs nurture

Ask anyone and they will tell you that I am as Malaysian as they get. I love all things Malaysian, idiotic politicians included. But taking a step back, ethnically I am Indian. My paternal grandfather was born and bred in South India and he came to Malaysia at a fairly young age to earn a living. Same story with my maternal grandfather except that he came from Sri Lanka. My parents were born and bred in Malaysia, and I am second generation Malaysian.

Recently I became acquainted with someone who comes from India. As in born and bred in India, but is currently working in Malaysia. Now, one would think we would have a lot in common since we have similar roots. But ironically, there is such a gap between us in terms of outlook in life, values, culture, the way of thinking, that we are really from 2 different worlds altogether. That’s not to say that there’s anything wrong with him or with me. It’s just that we were brought up in 2 different countries altogether, in very different environments, so that although we’re both Indian, we’re as different as night and day.

Oddly, I find more similarities with my European acquaintances!


Nurture is definitely more powerful, or more influential, than nature.

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