It's the culture, again!

Question

As you know that many people leave their home countries for various reasons like ; education, health care and employment. Also, some'd take their families along with them. The question is , how do these people cope with the new community they moved to ? Please notice that the travel I mean differs from tourism and some may be obliged to do it. If, for example, a British family came to The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, then, how'd the mother answer such a question of her child, ' Mom, why are these women covering their bodies, tell me?' Of course , this is only one example of a thousand . Dear forum members, what I want is your experiences and thoughts,so, you don't have to be a parent to share your thoughts . I'm not criticizing my country but I mentioned this as an instance, nothing else. So, if you may, tell me about your stories and I'm very sure they'd be great.

Looking forward to receiving anything

The Sweet Desert · Accepted Answer

Let me tell you about this funny story. My cousin had been to the United States two years ago. Her neigbours were Americans , of course, so she wanted to invite them for some Saudi coffee and sweets. Norah did it, but, she made a funny mistake. Well, she lived in an apartment, she decided to go downstairs to tell her American neighbour about the number of her flat, guiding the guest towards your house is one of our customs to show hospitality. I guess she forgot she was in the U.S. She put her traditional black dress on , this is the uniform used by women in the Kingdom when going out. Then, she descended the stairs, a worker , she passed by screamed saying,' A ghost , Oh *** , HEeelp .' My cousin was so scared and felt sorry for what she did. She knew she did the wrong thing,' I should have changed the colour, at least.' said my cousin. This is a story about coping with a different culture, Norah changed the colour to yellow so that no one'd get scared .

p.s. I'm waiting for your participations.Please don't let me down.

Francesca · Answer

It's so funny when I eat something with my little cousin; her mother comes from Japan and my cousin use to burp after dinner like Japanese do when they appreciate food you have cooked! In Italy burping is a very bad manner, so I laugh all the time<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

The Sweet Desert · Answer

Hi Francesca, it's actually new to me, you know , the custom of appreciating food in Japan. Thanks for adding to my knowledge and most important, I appreciate your idea.<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

Nona the brit · Answer

My boyfriend moved to the UK from Africa and I've had to tell him not to go around the entire room shaking everyone's hand everytime we visit my family as they were starting to think he was a bit odd! We only really shake hands for business (men and women the same) or perhaps when you first meet someone socially (man to man) but women don't really shake hands socially at all. And no-one shakes hands with their family!

On the other hand, when we visit his African friends/family (also in the UK), I have to go round the entire room shaking everyone's hand every time and that feels very strange to me...

The Sweet Desert · Answer

Hi nona, I really enjoyed reading your post, you see in my country both men and women shake hands. I guess you won't ever go to Africa so as to avoid shaking hands with the whole continent , I am kidding .<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/2.gif' alt='Emotion: big smile'/>

Red_rose · Answer

hey sweet desert!! ur from saudi arabia cool i`m from there 2 lolz!! did u ever have to live in a different country than urs... and deal with different cultures??

Anonymous · Answer

Hello,

Allow me to jump no the bandwagon. I'm from Cameroon and I do live in Bangladesh for the time being. I've had(and still have) a lot of experiences over here, but there is one that I live every time a go to a friend's(Bangladeshi of course).
Well in Bangladesh, males wear what they call "Longui" in Bangla language, when they are at home, or when the go to bed.They say, it makes them "feel free", and it's a strong culture here. The "longui" actually is a piece of cloth that men tie aroung their waist.
The first time a friend invited me to his place to celebrate EID with his family, his father was astonished to see me wearing a pyjama when I'm off to bed.So he approached me and offered me one "Longui" to wear the next night, so that I can " feel free". For him I was "tight". Normally in my tradition we don't just turn a father down, but I couldn't tie a "longui" around my waist. I'm used to wearing a pyjama or sweat pants when I go to bed. And when I'm home, I wear pants or short pants, or a thobe, not....a longui. That's what most of all do anyway where I come from. His father couldn't understand it. All my bangladeshi's friends along with their parents can understand it, likewise, I don't understand it (their wearing that longui). I mean in Africa, particularly in villages, only elders do wear a piece of cloth like that, and generally they belong to the chefferie.

Oh by the way Nona, I think your boyfriend coped very well with Africans.

Adomi · Answer

Sorry guys, the last anon? That was me.

Anonymous · Answer

I cannot get used to Italian men kissing one another on the cheeks.  I know it is a friendly gesture but awkward nevertheless, especially if you've never done it before.  -JC

It's the culture, again!

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