The seasoned traveller ignores this old saying at his peril.  When passing through a country this does not involve any great hardship, but when the traveller becomes a resident there is potential for conflict.

As a white European living long ago in the tropics I was quite happy with spicy food and fresh fruit, but some of my ex-patriot colleagues attempted to maintain their home customs with regard to eating, dress and leisure.  There was some discomfort and some hilarity, but in general peace was not threatened.  In the last few weeks, however, we have seen violence on the streets of several cities in Britain, including my hometown of Bradford.  Could this have been avoided if the Asian residents had ‘done as the Romans’?

There has always been tension between different communities, cultures and religions.  In Bradford these differences were exacerbated by inadequate social bridges that would have led to more tolerance and understanding.  This is the situation that was exploited by extremists.

If an immigrant community maintains a separate identity the occasional outbreak of violence should come as no surprise, as suspicion and distrust turn to fear and anger.   And yet total integration robs the whole community of a rich and diverse experience.  As always it is about balance, and balance requires effort from both sides.  If the hosts dress in certain ways and observe certain customs they deserve respect from the immigrant.  If the immigrant retains his own dress and customs, then he can expect to be excluded from certain activities and occupations.  

It is difficult to know what behaviour is appropriate to provide the balance.  Should a British supermarket, creating its own identity with uniforms for staff, allow some individuals to dress differently?   Would a British girl be given a job in the Middle East if she wore shorts and a T-shirt?  In Beirut this month 250 members of Christian-led opposition groups were arrested as demonstrators took to the streets, and in Kabul 24 people, workers for the charity Shelter Now International, were arrested and charged with promoting Christianity.  The foreigners are likely to be deported, but the Afghan SNI workers could face the death penalty.  In some countries ‘none but the Romans’ are tolerated.

Any community that rejects incomers will be the poorer, but the incomer would do well to think about Rome.