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Hi Lotus, 

Certainly, no offense taken, and I appreciate your input. But I'm a little disheartened how so many people can still miss my point in all that I've written, and I'm afraid you have as well. I think Solome got it. But just in case you're wondering, it had little to do with herbs, but more so about cultures, and the ignorance of cross-cultural examinations in reference to beauty/breasts sizes. I think if you read the article I posted along with my comment, it will help illuminate this more.

Part of my real life job involves a lot of social research. So I tend to look at things from a sociologist and anthropologist viewpoint. I understand not everyone does so. Not everyone is aware of the social implications behind certain comments that others might think are harmless, but I think these things should still be brought out to light, no matter if the person behind the comment had no ill intentions, because eventually it does help to bring more people into awareness and hopefully, people will abandon their ethnocentric mindset. I just want to clarify that, because my point was more so about making encompassing generalizations of cultures. And these cultures, such as Asians, encompass such a wide and diverse group. Why lump them up in the same category in the first place? Do you at least understand how these generalizations can be futile and even insensitive? 

Is it just me, but when I cross a line I want someone to help correct me so that I don't keep unintentionally crossing lines. But I noticed that instead, sometimes when others cross a line, even if you correct them in a kind way, they get defensive and obstinate and try to justify what they did or say rather than admitting they crossed a line in the first place. 

One last thing I want to clarify, I was in no way attacking Ella about her feelings on herbs or even trying to convince her to jump on that bandwagon (I said as much too!). I even said that I understand with her insensitivities it's good that she stay away from them. I get that. So I don't understand why people are pointing that out to me like I don't already know that. My post has nothing to do about advocating for herbs, nor was it even about Ella. It was beyond her. Not a single time did I say that "herbs are good" or "everyone should take herbs". I mean I acknowledge her biases certainly, but I felt like her post was deceptive from the beginning. If she didn't want others opinions on "why are these herbs so sought after?" why phrase it as a question in the first place? Why not just write a post and warn other of the "dangers of herbs and her experiences with herbs", because that I would have actually appreciated and agreed with her on. I mean, I actually want to start a thread on this, so people could understand why it is so important to do your own research and be aware of possible risks. I never once said that herbs don't come without risks. But that's not what she did. Not sure if you saw her comment to me, but she said she was basically letting everyone know the dangers and her experience, which has nothing to do with the questions she posed.

Sorry, Lotus, but this really is a conversation that I think people either will get or not get, and I don't want to waste my time attempting and failing at explaining this even more.  I've said all that I want to say on this matter, and I think at this point it's just better if I left the thread. But I will say, I'm still glad to have contributed to it, even if not everyone would be able to see my point.


Xoxo