Live like a western guy. A random Chinese guy posted this advice several years ago on Facebook.

Live like a western guy. A random Chinese guy posted this advice several years ago on Facebook.

You know who has the oldest civilization? It's China but they did not come to economic revolution until they opened to the world--especially western world. They embraced western civilization and culture, the rest of south east Asia nations have followed the trend too.

When you you hear about the recent debate about Malagasy artists lose its Malagasy roots and culture in songs, don't think it's necessary a bad thing. But we have to be smart enough to follow foreign culture.

I had to realize decades ago that the reason why African countries are lagging behind to the rest of the world, the poorest continent as well -- due to the corruption, repercussions of colonization as some people have commented. However, things should be looked internally as well. We have to look back on how has our culture contributed to our social advancement? Has it continued to be relevant to the current fast paced world? If I would answer these questions, I would have radical shift toward negative. Everytime we say we have to embrace our culture in order to develop, I ask myself how?

I remember in 2021, when we went for a mission on environmental awareness effort in Doany - Andapa, I wear shoes. I got laughed and criticized because I was the only one who dared to be different for the rest of the team. We were dozen people in that time. All of them were wearing "sandals" (traditional sandals).

The funny thing is even now our colleagues still make fun of me every time I wear shoes for a mission in the countryside. And they still wear sandals too.

Every time this happened, I kept thinking to myself that this is reason why we never develop. We resist change. We do not know how to imitate revolution. Even during the time of Jesus, people already wear shoes. What about today? If you take it for financial constraints for the reason why people can't afford one, that's not really the case because they buy things even more expensive than shoes for gratification or indulgence. Shoes are cheap nowadays, especially second hand shoes. 10,000 Ar can buy a pair-- and it can last for one year. Is that reasonable? I think yes.

I was shocked when I went to Antananarivo, lived there for 8 months and attended university of Antananarivo, when I saw many people already wearing shoes. There is some changes. But some people don't. People in highland are already aware of the importance of this, compared to people in the region. It was a big reality check for me because, I didn't own another shoes. The one I wore was covered by dust with you know a dirty city like Antananarivo,-- you better own more than 3 shoes you choose every week. Some of my friends told me, it's because the environment is different there --where the temperature is so cold. Yeah. That could be one reason, but another rationality behind it is that they are far ahead with us for cultural awareness and understanding foreign culture. That's the real reason.

I found a proof while I was doing my master degree at university of Ankatso. I realized that, they only students who do not wear shoes are those from the region, despite they can afford aigle d'or for 70,000 ar a pair. We never learn. We resist change. So sad!

There are several benefits for wearing shoes, but one which I find very compelling was --it makes you smarter. It increase your IQ, because you reduce the time for your feet to contact to dust or soil. In contrary, dirt from soil can cause and persiste cognitive decline and diminished IQ. I don't mean we should never walk barefoot or on slippers, no that's not what I meant, but in most of the time we should wear shoes or foot cover.

As a random Chinese guy said '' Live like a western guy ". People in Antananarivo started to do that, and Chinese and the rest of south east Asia have done it for many decades. Why not Africa, or Madagascar. We kept saying we should embrace our culture, but what if does not bring success or development?