Excuse the stereotypes but…
Are you a vegetarian marrying into a steak loving Brazilian family? Are you an introvert dating a very
extroverted Lebanese woman whose family has social gatherings daily? Do you hate dancing when your Cuban in laws do it weekly? Are you not a big drinker and your British partner and friends insist on pub trivia several nights a week? Are you a social drinker and you are dating a Muslim whose family views drinking as forbidden?
Language, religion, social norms, dress, food are some of the big things that come to mind when we think about differences between cultures but there are so many small things in the ways of life that also make us different. When I studied abroad in France, I stayed with a traditional Catholic French family in the north of France. I remember after school one time I really wanted a snack so I opened the fridge and began making myself a sandwich. My host mom didn’t even let me get the doors all the way open before she stopped me and said that l’heure du goûter basically “snack hour” was not until 4! Even then
It’s really only for bread, cookies and crackers, not something like a lavish sandwich. In America, there
is no such rule. So even though I went from one western first world developed country to another, I found out that even the way we snack is different. All of these things become very apparent when you travel, immerse yourself in other cultures and by being in a multicultural relationship.
In the blog and interviews I’ll share experiences from my own life and from couples I have met along the way that explore these differences. I’ll also share what worked (or didn’t) for my situation and general advice that helped me. Some of the stories I’ll share were written as they happened and some where I looked back and reflected. I believe that each of us in a multicultural relationship has a unique story to tell, one of the many beauties of it in the first place. Writing allows me to share my story with you all and invite conversations about the intersection of culture and relationships. I hope you learn, laugh and feel a part of this community.
