fail ending supply of wealth in the eyes of someone with so little. They then to understand how the doctors can refuse them food, saying it is too expensive when the "richness" of the program abounds. They cannot understand how the doctors can refuse to discuss important but sensitive issues at meetings. The Marshallese operate on a different time frame than Americans and it is difficult for a time conscious American to understand. Nothing is done by the clock {n Marshallese society. “Marshallese time" is looked - on as a joke and causes the time oriented American only exasperation when his plans are delayed. Yet when one understands Marshallese time in the perspective of the culture, it becomes an important part of understanding the people. CO - Rigid time schedules are unknown in this society. When a visitor arrives on the island, it is expected he will spent time in greetings and ‘stories - being friendly ~ rather than rushing around getting work done: Meetings are never expected to start on time. After all, what is time to these people on their isolated island - it has no meaning, no necessity. Whenall the people have gathered after finishing all their work, only then will the magistrate say the meeting is ready to begin. A criticism from the people is that the Americans always start meetings on time and many people miss what is occurring. Similarly, one must be patient and encure long silences at meetings. come up only at the end. Usually it will be found that criticisms and problems It is the idea of a time conscious American vs. a time independent Marshallese. , Another area of culture concern is the male-female relation in health matters. A male family memberis not permitted by custom to bain the room when a female family memberis being examined. Similarly, when a person is sick; it is the females who tend to the needs of the patient. Women who have returned to the United States feel that a female interpretor should accompany them for this reason. The idea of an interpreter is important because in the past people have traveled to the United States without a guide for the entire trip who can help them. Not knowing English and the shock of the cultural change makes the sudden exposure to the United States ‘frightening to the people. The people of each atoll have some individual criticism of the program that needs to be examined. The islands of Utirik and Rongelap have recently written separate letters indicating the mood of discontent that exists. (Aonendix) Their feelings expressed in the letters are genuine and on close questioning, these feelings have been present for many yeats. However, in the past, the people have felt afraid to openly verbalize their feelings. The fear grew out of the people's perception of the United States as the authority and provider, as discussed earlier, They thought that criticism would mean discontinuing the contact theyhave with the program. 2. Utirik. The distrust for the program at Utirik first surfaced openly in March of 1976. At a village meeting, various people thought it time to express what they have been thinking for so long. 5005913 BE: PT —— eee aru uew-d Gad-L 8A9-s An open distrust for 7 AN ‘A°7 OOF S 71 LdBAS6c7TRL