the word independent when you talk about an independent country means that the country is free there is not another country telling the country what to do or doing jobs that the country can do for itself the same thing can be said about people people who are independent dont need anyone else telling them what to go or giving them money or food they are proud that they can do these things by themselves
little babies are the opposite of independent they can do anything for themselves their parents must look after them and do everything the babies need after they grow up however they can do these thing for themselves people from English speaking countries especially often don want anyone to serve them that will make them feel like babies again
when westerners visit each other the host will usually set drinks and food on a table and say help yourself this means that the guest is welcome to eat or dink anything there but he must get it for himself the guest is happy because he can help himself and the host is happy because the guest is comfortable