Culture!

So far, adapting to a different culture hasn't been a huge issue for me. And the reason is not because I already understand and fit in with the Mexican culture. On the contrary, I feel more American than ever (well, I suppose the correct terminology would be "North American"). My cultural mindset - the social norms I adhere to, the understandings upon which I interact with people, the way I perceive myself within the larger context of a community of people - is not Mexican. And maybe even the term "Mexican" doesn't really fit what I'm talking about. But either way, cultural differences are real between people groups and countries, and they go much deeper than just your typical food and dress.

I just finished writing a letter to a friend, and in it I was describing a few things that came to mind regarding culture. For instance, here in Mexico, if in attending a social event you bring a friend who doesn't know anybody at the event, and if upon arriving you don't immediately introduce your friend to people, you either have poor manners or are a bad friend. And, if you are one of the persons at the event to whom this new guest was introduced, and you don't immediately engage him/her in conversation, then you also have poor manners, because you don't know how to make small talk. In many places in the U.S., a simple, "Hi, I'm Cynthia," and a handshake will suffice, and you can then proceed with whatever else it is you were doing at the time of the introduction, such as conversing with someone else, eating, etc. Or, as some do after meeting someone new, you can also just stand around quiet-like, as if your presence were embarrassing. (Thank goodness for people who can lighten a conversation with conversational ease). Anyway. The Mexican culture, in general, does a good job of making a new guest feel welcome.

So why did I say that adapting hasn't been too difficult for me? Because even though I am in Mexico, I am not actually immersed in the Mexican culture! I am living with American people, eating quite a bit of American food ("North American" rather), and speaking a lot of English.

As I depart from the writing of this post, I leave you with a few questions for thought. If you could intimately get to know another culture, which culture would you choose? If you had to live in another country for five straight years, which country would you live in? And finally, what aspects of your own culture do you appreciate the most? Dislike the most?

Hasta luego.

Above: In class. Below that: Rain damage in a side street. Floods can occur during the summer.