Feb
15
For people coming from North American cultures, it is often hard to get used to what can feel like
opposite cultural norms in other places. I’m going to talk about two – personal space and staring.
I think that the whole personal space phenomenon only exists within the US borders (Canada may be included, too). For most other people, standing at arms distance to speak with someone is unheard of – much less practiced. For instance, in most Spanish and French speaking countries, it is customary to greet people, even for the first time, with a kiss. Right there you eliminate the possibility of keeping a “safe” distance. Once that barrier has been breached, it is likely that the rest of your conversation will be held at a very close proximity. The funny thing is, when I am in cultures with this norm, I’m perfectly fine. But, if someone dares to try the same thing while I’m in the states, I am practically offended. It’s like my mind shifts its expectations depending on the geographic location.
As for staring, it can also feel like an invasion of personal space. I remember going to Haiti on vacation as a teenager and felt so self-conscious because people kept staring at me. Contrary to American culture where when someone is caught doing this they immediately feel shame, you can actually have a staring contest (which you will surely lose) with Haitians. They are not at all bothered by being caught staring – nor do they feel the need to explain why they’re doing it. I find Venezuelans to be similar – although, they try to be a bit more discrete. It’s a good thing I’ve already shifted my norms 
Photo credits: Marc Shandro and B@man
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Posted in Cultural Assimilation, Cultural Expectations, Culture, Expat, Haiti, Social Norms, Venezuela Cultural Assimilation Cultural Dilemmas Cultural Norms Culture Expatriates Haiti Immigrants Venezuela Venezuelan Culture
Feb
01
So the day after the earthquake in Haiti, I was trying to keep things somewhat stable for the kids and took them to school. As soon as I arrived, I had parents and teachers who I did not know coming up to me expressing their concerns about what happened. One thing that I have realized about Venezuelans is that they are genuine people.
A couple weeks after I got here, I came down with a stomach bug and had to stay in bed for two days. This meant that my husband had to to handle drop offs and pick ups, as well as meals – which meant going down to the closest restaurant for take-out. Well, once I was better and out and about, the first Venezuelan I saw who knew about my illness said “se siente usted mejor” to which I responded “si, gracias” and then he looked to the sky and said “gracias a dios”. Now I know this may sound corny, but it felt genuine. And let me tell you, I got the same reaction from everyone else who knew; including the waiter at the restaurant where my husband got the take-out
I guess it should have been no surprise when their concern multiplied for a situation that was a million times worse. Well, their kindness didn’t stop with the impromptu prayers. It was followed by an abundance of offers for help and donation. Those who couldn’t offer cash offered food. I helped out at the Haitian Embassy for a day and was astonished at the donations – from parents who recently bought clothes for their children and wanted to send them to Haiti – to a small business-owner who wanted to send her stock of cheese. I know that the world has been generously supporting the relief efforts, but I continue to feel humbled by the way Venezuelans seem to have taken the tragedy of the people in Haiti to heart.
This picture is of the donations collected at my kids’ school over the course of a couple of days. Some of the classes are also holding bake sales and next week they are putting on a play from which all the proceeds will go to the Haitian relief efforts. As if they haven’t done so much already.
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Posted in Caracas, Cultural Expectations, Culture, Generosity of Venezuelans, Haiti, Haiti Earthquake Relief Cultural Adaptation Cultural Assimilation Generosity of Venezuelans Haiti Earthquake Relief Venezuela Venezuelan Culture
opposite cultural norms in other places. I’m going to talk about two – personal space and staring.
As for staring, it can also feel like an invasion of personal space. I remember going to Haiti on vacation as a teenager and felt so self-conscious because people kept staring at me. Contrary to American culture where when someone is caught doing this they immediately feel shame, you can actually have a staring contest (which you will surely lose) with Haitians. They are not at all bothered by being caught staring – nor do they feel the need to explain why they’re doing it. I find Venezuelans to be similar – although, they try to be a bit more discrete. It’s a good thing I’ve already shifted my norms 
