THE CULTURALLY POLITE FACADE
When dealing with the issue of honesty we must always consider the matter of putting on a good appearance for social purposes. Missionaries have to pretend to like strange and exotic dishes that all of the fabric of their being cries out against. Wetherall Johnson, founder of the Bible Study Fellowship, gives her account of one of these affairs when she was a missionary in China: A wonderful Chinese meal was set out for us on a small table under the trees. The food was covered by big blue flies, which the Chinese kept swatting away. Finally we sat down in Chinese fashion, with the wife of the host serving us. We were just three missionaries with the Chinese host, who was the only man. By this time we were well used to chopsticks, rice, sweet and sour pork, and fish. At this table there was a huge codfish complete with head and big eyes. We were able to enjoy…
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