So you meet this nice Pakistani girl (just an example) at the O-week barbeque, and after having a really nice conversation that lasts for 2 hours, you realize you’re really tired and decide to go to bed. Naturally, after sharing this nice evening, you give her a good night hug. What happens? SHE GETS REALLY WEIRDED OUT. For the next two weeks she avoids you and gives you really weird looks and you feel like an idiot.
This is just a random example of all the weird and uncomfortable situations you might end up in because of the cultural differences between you and others at Jacobs.
Don’t despair:
There is something we can all do to avoid or correct misunderstandings. We can talk! Most of these situations are created because of misunderstanding, of different cultural interpretations for the same action or words. So, when something like that happens and you think you’ve been misunderstood, don’t go sulking in your room cause someone else thinks you’re a weirdo or got pissed off at you. Think about what you meant to convey or express by your words or actions. Then you can go to the other person involved in the misunderstanding, say something like “hey, I think we had a misunderstanding earlier” and clearly state to them what your intention was, talk to them about how they perceived it and what meaning it might have for their vs. your culture (this would be a very “Western” and direct approach).
You can also talk to others, find a mutual friend or someone like an RA to mediate between the ‘parties’, if you do not feel comfortable approaching them yourself.
The important thing is that a dialogue is allowed to emerge. Remember to listen to them and their side of the story, and don’t let your prejudices and expectations get in the way. Be open to new points of view. It will turn a weird situation into a positive and connecting learning experience. Communication is key!
