Believe Quote by William Finnegan
“I remember surfing in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, even Madeira, when local fishermen had never seen a surfboard before, and refused to believe that we could ride a wave on one.”
About This Quote
Source Travelogue: "Barbarian Days" by William Finnegan, 2015
Encountering cultures unfamiliar with surfing reveals how novelty can be met with skepticism and awe.
In simple terms: New ideas can surprise and be doubted.
Key Takeaway
Embrace curiosity and share knowledge.
Themes
culture shock
innovation
tradition
Mood
wonder
excitement
Type
narrative
reflective
When to use this quote
- surfing trips
- teaching locals
- cross‑cultural exchange
Key Concepts
anthropology
recreation
technology diffusion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we introduce new practices respectfully?
- What role does curiosity play in cultural exchange?
A Different Perspective
Resistance may stem from fear of change, not just ignorance.
![“I did not write it [Coming of Age in Samoa] as a popular book, but only with the hope that it would be intelligible to those who might make the best use of its theme, that adolescence need not be the time of stress and strain which Western society made it; that growing up could be freer and easier…” quote by Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7af/margaret-mead-982_adolescence_i-did-not-write-it-coming-of-age-in-samo_821632.jpg)
