OK

So when the foreign far eastern leaders visit us do they change their clothing? Isn't it cultural appropriation for JT and family to wear their gear? I think it's a huge psychological mistake to kowtow to the East the way Western politicians do, it lets them know right away that we're prepared to ditch our own culture in favour of theirs. We should be very proud of the things our own culture has produced including our own style of dress.

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Anonymous

Feb 22, 2018 at 10:28am

The Western leaders were brought up watching Charlie Chan movies; they honestly believe deep down they're inherently superior and therefore can afford to "camp it up" whenever visiting the East.

They're also selling out their own voters to Asian interests, but that's another discussion.

Meh

Feb 22, 2018 at 11:53am

This is such an idiotic sentiment.

Look at images from around the world. The entire place is saturated with Western style or influenced clothing. So what if our PM dressed up in Indian attire to visit their temples as a gesture of good will and some diplomatic clout.

Weird

Feb 22, 2018 at 12:51pm

I confessed something similar earlier, but seems that my confession has been broken. It can't even be commented on.

Same Boat

Feb 22, 2018 at 2:09pm

It's not cultural appropriation because they're weren't doing it to be fashionable or as a joke. It's not unusual for non-Indian people to dress up in traditional Indian clothing. My family was close with an Indian family when I was younger and everytime a family member got married and we were invited to the wedding, the mom wanted me to wear one of her saris. I long to be invited to another Indian wedding just to wear a sari again! My cousin wore saris to her Indian friends' weddings. Maybe some Indians would be offended but they're allowed to be. Just like people here get offended over...well, everything that doesn't fit into their narrow view of the world.

I think I got it

Feb 22, 2018 at 2:13pm

A few years ago, I was at a drink night with some former classmates. The last one left were me and this one guy who was always friendly with me. I never wanted to assume he had romantic feelings towards me so we were always just friends. That night, we both took the skytrain home. He lived near SFU and I lived near Edmonds. When we got to Commercial, I expected him to say goodbye but when started to say goodbye, he said he'd ride the rest of the way with me because it was "equidistant" anyway. We enjoyed the rest of the ride in good conversation and then parted ways when I left at Edmonds. Cut to a few years later in the same scenario but now, he's engaged to be married. When we got to Commercial, he stood up, told me it was great to see me and wished me a great weekend. It was at that moment that I realized maybe he did have some feelings for me back then. Maybe he didn't and just realized that he was taking the long way around but you know.....

You're so right

Feb 22, 2018 at 2:14pm

Yes. Foreign leaders have dressed in Western clothing since the colonial forces imposed the idea of their cultural superiority and ignored the sensitivities of the local nation... but hey, that's history, no one's responsible for that.

No. It's not cultural appropriation. It's pandering for a photo-op.

And I'm sure you're totally right that these "Eastern" politicians are thinking, 'Yeah bitch! Look at those Westerners wearing our clothes. We're psychologically gaming these trade negotiations now!" instead of seeing it as a gesture of goodwill in a situation where they already hold all the cards.

Trudeau/Canada wants in on India's workforce and economy. It's not exactly a 2 way street.

@meh ( whatever the fuck that means)

Feb 22, 2018 at 3:23pm

It may be a gesture of goodwill to you but to those Eastern power brokers....... it's a major concession right from the outset.

@whatever the fuck that means

Feb 22, 2018 at 4:09pm

Sounds like you have no idea what you're on about. "Power brokers", don't take cues from publicity photo ops, they duke it out in closed off meeting rooms that you never see or hear about.

This sort of show is purely for public consumption, and sounds like it gave you some indigestion.

America lite.

Feb 22, 2018 at 6:15pm

But Canada does't have it's own culture, it appropriates America's culture. We just tone it down some and then act superior.

@whatever

Feb 22, 2018 at 6:21pm

try reading a few history books which deal with the backroom maneuverings and you'll learn the psychology of concession.

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