Saturday, February 12, 2011
Cultural Differences From my point of view
I come from a small country of north east in Europe that has a pretty conservative attitude towards anyone that is different or anything that is new. Not negative - just conservative. And I love that. But....When I landed a job for a cruise line I discovered the whole new, big, crazy, exiting and so colorful world full of different people. You see, in Lithuania 10 years ago we didn't have too many tourists or people from outside the country, not to mantion different race, religion, orientation etc. I will never forget how sophisticated those french people in Marseille seemed to me, or how handsome were the guys in Marocco, Egypt or Turkey-just because they had dark features(opposite of lithuanians). And how friendly, loud and curious was the behavior of the people in Caribbean Islands, Central America! I was shocked when native panamanians approched me in a very friendly mannier to sell something - they were so little in hight and so talkative that melted my heart. Living in New York is no different from traveling the world when it come to meeting all kinds of people everyday. In my country we don't hug or kiss a person in a cheek everytime we see him, maybe old people do that. We also don't finish a phone conversation with a friend or family member by saying i love you-which is very common here in States ( more for the girls). Americans smile a lot! To everyone-it's a part of communication. We don't do that if we don't know a person or simply don't like somebody.Smile here is a must and I find this more pleasant and efficient way to be. I have to say that Americans are one of the most diplomatic and favorite nation I have met. Because of that this country is open to everyone and changing minds of the people around the world.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hey,I absolutely agree with you about New York. It's a very unique place to be because here you can experience different cultures like nowhere else. I found amazing that people here don’t really resemble population of the US but more likely population of the world. Moreover all these people try to preserve their customs which gives to the city its appealing flavor that attracts so many people to come here.
ReplyDeleteHi! I find it intriguing that you consider Americans to smile a lot. I don't even know many New Yorkers that would agree with that. It is nice however to hear it :). Being a New Yorker my entire life, I find that it is because of the melting pot of ethnicities that you have discussed that makes NY an amazing place. I want a job at a cruise line now! lol
ReplyDeleteHi: first I thank you for your comment on my "please take off your shoes" and totally agree ...however, I think your very nice from you to see that American smile a lots...I guess if you able to stop someone for a second maybe :)...I found that most of a smiling ones here are most likely to be nice in part and part of a routine that forced by a short moment …like face to face ....if you go to the South, for instance, you will see that this is a part of their daily life to say hi and smile …But in New york-in most of time- is Show me $ to see smile or excuse me ...I'm in rush …Thank you!! .
ReplyDeleteWow, i'm actually surprised and sort of jealous because its like experiencing the world for the very first time. Ny is the best place to experience a cultural blend,it's the definition of melting pot enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up in NY my whole life and always traveling back and forth from Long Island to Manhattan I never noticed that people were very smiley but its good to hear. When I was younger I never realized how many different cultures and how much of a melting pot New York was but now especially since I started going to Baruch I see how many different cultures there are and how they are all so different.
ReplyDeleteDear Inga,
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a wonderful post. It was very smooth and evoke some interesting reviews. Seems that you touched some hearts. I am definitely joining them here because i can relate to your point of view of New York. I cannot say i am world traveler like yourself, but i noticed that people here just smile more then in my native country Ukraine.
That is SO awesome that you worked for a cruise line and got to see all those places as part of your job! I would someday love to be in a job where I can travel or live in another country. I am guilty of being a native New Yorker who feels the need to give everyone a hug and a kiss on the cheek even if we just met. I grew up in a very big/loving Italian family so it feels normal to me. But I can easily see how for other cultures it may feel uncomfortable. I second your opinion about smiley Americans because I happen to be one :)
ReplyDeleteMy country (Nepal) depends on tourism to build a sustainable economy, yet there are parts of the country where people have not seen anyone but native Nepalese people. And even those who have seen foreigners, tend to stare at every new foreigner they see. It is something very normal for us living in New York, but I can understand how in other parts of the world seeing foreigners is a big thing.
ReplyDelete