It has been a few short months since we boarded a plane in Africa bound for the USA. I still miss the overseas life. I certainly miss the palm trees and sunshine of Mozambique...and the people I met along the way are still very dear to my heart and I wish they weren't so far away.
I am committed to cultural diversity and am grateful for those who helped me transition in new lands and showed me hospitality when I was far from home. In order to pass it on I have started volunteering with a local organization that helps refugee families in their transition.
One of the things I was asked to do was attend a dinner group with Americans who are volunteering with the newcomer families. In these discussions, I am reminded of how many of our ideas are cultural constructs and how often we assign value judgments to them.
I do it this way and that is the right way. Others do it that way and that is the wrong way.
Really? What if it is just different? Can we get past the difference?
Is being late rude? Perhaps. However, the definition of late varies greatly across cultures. In some places showing up 2 hours after the scheduled time is still an acceptable window. Yes, 2 hours. The definition of "late" is a cultural construct and the value assigned is ultimately an arbitrary one.
Is it rude to disregard cordial greetings in order to accomplish a task? Perhaps. Again, this is defined by culture. In many parts of the world EVERY interaction is cordial. Conversation, business meetings and even email begin with - How are you? How is your family? How was that important event?...These cannot be ignored as they matter greatly to relationship - even professional ones. The task at hand isn't as important as the people involved - or is it the other way around?
just Sheri, keenly aware of the differences
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