I like Italian. They seem so visceral! ;-)

Right now, all ancient cultures appeal to me: Greeks, Sumerians, Etruscans, Neolithic, Asian, Indian. If it is ancient, I'm there!

cultures whereby the elderly are revered and strongly respected and part of the family, unfortunatley these are disappearing!

Native American Indian Cultures and Chinese Culture.... both interest me because of their values, mythology, spirituality, literature, music, art, architecture, and traditions. Here are some quotes that portray some of the cultural valves these people obtain. "Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children." ~Ancient Indian Proverb ...... everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence. ~Mourning Dove Salish I have heard you intend to settle us on a reservation near the mountains. I don't want to settle. I love to roam over the prairies. There I feel free and happy, but when we settle down we grow pale and die. ~Santana, Kiowa Chief Sun Tzu's The Art of War "winning a victory and subduing the enemy without fighting is the highest excellence." ~Sun Tzu “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.” ~Lao Tzu's Being and non-being interdepend in growth; Difficult and easy interdepend in completion; Long and short interdepend in contrast; High and low interdepend in position; Tones and voice interdepend in harmony; Front and behind interdepend in company. ~Lao Tzu's

The Persians (Iran) I find interesting.The Persians I know are fantastic people and would always invite me as an honored guest,as part of their culture.

carpedium - please tell me its not true that youve been laid to rest - im very very upset, its spoiled my day i now feel so depressed