In US it is common sense to drive on the right side of the road. In Britain it is common sense to drive on the left side of the road.
In places in Africa, it is common sense to live far from the river and carry water. To US Peace Corp people, it was common sense to live by the water and not carry the water so far. What the Peace Corp folks didn't know is, the increased risk of mosquitoes and disease, makes it a bad idea to live close to the water.
Americans assume their sense of time is only common sense. It is rude to be more than 10 minutes late for a meeting. This sense of time can be very problematic when they are dealing with people from others cultures who do not have the same sense of time and therefore, the same idea of good and bad manners.
To a large degree, it is our cultures that determine what is common sense. It is unfortunate that so few people know this. This is particularly a problem, when it is socially agreed that putting down people and insulting them, is okay. Good manners are even more important when dealing with people from other cultures.
From the beginning of civilization it has always been the mixing of cultures and learning from others that advances civilizations. People who are too up tight about what they believe is common sense, have very small lives and do not know enough of the world. But if they stay in these forums long enough, they will learn better, because we are so fortunate to have people from around the world here. This is what in time will change global consciousness and separate us from the past, as we enter the New Age.
