I came across this blog and, though the comments in it didn't surprise me at all (and bearing in mind they are a few months old), I found it interesting how there is still a debate about whether it is necessary or not to adapt to your host culture...
http://blogs.surinenglish.com/spanish-language/2010/05/24/when-in-rome-haz-lo-que-vieres/#comments
Interesting ideas on mingling:
http://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/offcampus/preparing/cultures.php
When in Rome, do as the Romans do?
http://blogs.surinenglish.com/spanish-language/2010/05/24/when-in-rome-haz-lo-que-vieres/#comments
Interesting ideas on mingling:
http://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/offcampus/preparing/cultures.php
When in Rome, do as the Romans do?
Yes, I do agree: "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", unless you do anything against other people.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are living in other country you have to know and live like the people of that country although you make somethings as you always do. If you always have a shower every day, then carry on with that though in that country people only have a shower 3 or 4 days per week (unless that country is suffering drought).
To sum up, always is better living inside the culture where you live.
DangerBrown,
ReplyDeleteI love your shower example :-). Anyway, every time I have lived abroad I have respected the natives´rules and customs, and I have always wanted to be part of their culture, understand their culture. At home, I always lived like a Spaniard, though.
In my opinion, we live in a multicultural and multiethnic society. In the twenty first century I think the best option it would be that every country or place can be a cultural
ReplyDeletemelting pot in order to avoid fights and wars between differents cultures and religions.
Manuel,
ReplyDeleteWhat you describe in your comment would be the ideal situation to be in. Hopefully, one day everybody will realise that.
Knowing the history of a country is important to understand the customs, the way of doing everyday things and help you to integrate yourself into this country. So I think that everybody who have to move to another country should learn the history of that country in oder to avoid Culture Shock
ReplyDeleteI see your point, Joaquin. In fact, we are who we are now because of who we were before, and that applies not only to people but also to whole communities and countries. I totally agree with you here.
ReplyDelete