New Experience - Not Good

@Bensen32 (28658)
United States
January 3, 2019 8:20am CST
So yesterday I had a new experience that was not a good one. At the end of last week one of the owners of the company I work for past away. I didn't know him well but I had many conversations with him. I attended his wake/funeral yesterday. I have been to many wakes/funerals in the past but this was new to me as he was a Muslim and I have never attended this before. Being one of the few white males in attendance I hung in the back, unsure of the traditions I didn't want to do anything offensive for sure. Not speaking the language I believe there was a really long prayer and some talking by what I assume was their holy man. Sorry, I am not sure what his title would be. Once this was done, the men passed the casket along a line of men till it got outside the building and the group carried it to the grave site. Again, I did not join in this but followed the group to the grave site where what I can only guess what was more praying happened and then ended with the lowering of the body. At that point most of the group started to head back to the building. While some stayed behind, I assume those were immediate family and I took this as a clue it was time for me to leave the site. As my little group turned to walk away a younger man came up and said, "thank you for coming, I'm sure you felt out of place but it means everything to his family that all would show up, you have made them so proud an honored." Then about 10-20 more men lined up and shook our hands, some just smiling and others saying something in their language that I could not understand. I have to say, that made me even more uncomfortable, I didn't do or say anything that they needed to be shaking my hand. I feel bad for any ones loss and I felt bad that I could not express this to them. I wish them well in their loss.
3 people like this
2 responses
@LadyDuck (502204)
• Italy
3 Jan 19
There is no reason you feel bad, they appreciated that you have attended. They understood that you do not know their habit and customs, but they really appreciated that you honored them with your presence.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
3 Jan 19
Thank you, yea, but I always feel bad when unable to communicate with someone or not knowing at least a little about their customs. but this does give me a goal for the year. I need to learn a little about this.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502204)
• Italy
3 Jan 19
@Bensen32 I should also learn a bit more about other countries customs and habits, I realize that I finally know very little about some populations.
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
3 Jan 19
@LadyDuck yea, it's good to know about others but sometimes seems the least of our worries till we need the information
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75638)
3 Jan 19
I know that. It is sometimes a challenge to mingle with people with different culture. You know, i am asian, but i still like the western culture,
1 person likes this
@Bensen32 (28658)
• United States
3 Jan 19
I am interested in Japanese culture, over the last few weeks I have been reading more about it and trying to learn.