Do you think that a person's location influences how she acts? During the nineteenth century, the memsahibs, who were English housewives living in India, completely rejected Indian goods because they did not want items made by the "inferior" peoples living near them; however, the British in England greatly valued Indian goods because they demonstrated the British imperial ethos.

Perhaps there is another layer to the memsahibs' rejection of Indian goods. I think that the idea of home kept the memsahibs from incorporating Indian items into their lives. I know that during my first few months as a college freshman, I missed the smell of New York pizza and the sight of my high school's mascot at pep rallies. These were what I associated with home. If I rejected the country music and barbecue of Nashville and instead filled my room with New York mementos, I would be holding onto the idea of my home, even though I would not be at home. By rejecting everything that represented India, and instead fiercely longing to aspects of Britain, the memsahibs were preserving their home in a new place.

The idea of home is central to the understanding of Fernea's ("B.J.'s") ethnography based on her experiences in Iraq. In an unfamiliar territory, B.J. longed for home: “I felt only a flood of irrational resentment against my new husband for bringing me here” (P. 10). B.J. did not feel at ease in Iraq because of the Iraqis' unfamiliar customs. She was not comfortable with wearing the abayah, although she feared that she would not be accepted if she refused to conform. She became embarrassed after she saved all of the food she was delivered for lunch; the Iraqi custom was to return the food after the meal was finished. B.J.'s new location caused her to be very self-conscious; she was even unsure of the proper way to move: “I crossed my ankles; a dozen pair of eyes followed the movement. I uncrossed my ankles; there was a short silence” (P. 33).

I can relate to B.J.'s feelings of discomfort. When I am in a new context with people whom I do not know, I am conscious of my movements and actions because I seek to make a positive first impression. B.J. reminds me of the new kid in school or the young camper on the first day of sleep-away camp because she is unfamiliar with the culture of her environment. B.J. was far removed from her home, which amplified her tendency to be aware of herself in a new situation. Does B.J. come to feel more at home in Iraq as she lives there for a longer period of time? Kelly's commentary examines B.J.'s reactions as she becomes more accustomed to her environment.