And another thing...
Just popped into my mind while replying to Laura, when i come across aspects of culture that challenge, what will i be comparing them to? Is my base culture British, Swiss, European? Now i know a few people who would be very upset at me for daring to suggest there might be a 'European culture' (my parents for example...)
Or am i just used to AIESEC culture...? No it can't be that, i have already experienced that over time organisational culture within the same organisation develops completely differently, even in 2 countries quite close geographically, because it is so dependent on wider cultural aspects of the country.
So then how do i introduce myself to people? Rob from UK (war-mongerer, colonialist?), Rob the Swiss (safe, boring, will accept money from anyone?), or Rob the European (very mean to 3rd World farmers?)
This is going to be FASCINATING, isn't it...? :o)
Or am i just used to AIESEC culture...? No it can't be that, i have already experienced that over time organisational culture within the same organisation develops completely differently, even in 2 countries quite close geographically, because it is so dependent on wider cultural aspects of the country.
So then how do i introduce myself to people? Rob from UK (war-mongerer, colonialist?), Rob the Swiss (safe, boring, will accept money from anyone?), or Rob the European (very mean to 3rd World farmers?)
This is going to be FASCINATING, isn't it...? :o)
posted by Rob at
1:33 PM
8 Comments:
Why do you need a territorial label? Isn't just "Rob" enough?
people always want to know where you are from. Somehow putting people into boxes help them, to form an opinion, to know more about the person. You do not need a label for yourself, but others demand it, and that makes you, as an individual, feel very strange.
Tell me about it, Rob! I do not feel "German" at all (but then, how does it feel to be German??!), I guess the box I could place myself in would be "Londoner". Heheheeeee, good luck qualifying THAT box ;-) and making anything out of it!
I definitely know what you mean! Once I mention the fact that I am Irish then the inevitable next question is “so how are things there?! Have the bombings stopped?!” or something to that effect. Thing is I live about as far away from Northern Ireland as you can get on this little island and although I was obviously always aware of what was happening it never quite felt like my reality.
As I developed an interest in politics it became more of an issue for me but still not exactly something close. And there is soo much more to being Irish than the troubles in the North. But then “Irish” doesn’t quite cover me either….. Robert I guess you have given me something to think about :)
I totally agree to what Bee says about it: When you get to know someone, for this person it's easier to get to know you when you tell where you are from. People have opinions and scripts in their mind and know: Ok, this person is Swiss, so they are puncutal. when i meet him or her, I have to be on time, and things like that. I mean, we all ask other ppl where they are from as well, don't we?
And hey, what can I say: What am I? Swiss, Turksish or Serbian? I say, I don't feel turkish, but that's again Bee's point: How does it feel like to be turkish? I don't even know...
I always say: I am a S(erbian)T(urkish)sCH girl..:-)
try it like this: "hi! i'm rob! i'm from the uk. and from switzerland and from..." and so on.
then look at the reactions of the people. they go like this:
"hey nice! a box. i can put him there. wait a sec! a second box. ok i can handle that. what? more? wtf?! ah crap.. i guess i'll have to get to know the person rob with his own culture and stuff..."
it's really amusing. :)
and your worries about the culture shock: there's nothing more enjoyable than a proper culture shock. just enjoy it man!
for me personally it's more shocking how i tend to react in certain situations than the situation itslef.
enjoy it and learn rob. i guess it's the swiss in you but you are making it more complicated. :)
see you tomorrow
cheers
I agree with Yavor: Your are getting Swiss, man! Funny.
You know that it's not so much about where you are, but more about what you make of your stay and the people and moods you gather around you.
People who totally represent aspecs which you don't like so much of a culture, you won't have around you very often. But you will always seek the company of people who stand for the positive things that you like.
Therefore you create the culture you perceive to a big extend by yourself.
Why don't you give this one a try: "I'm Rob, from the spaces I created."
;-P
"hi im rob, global citizen, mortal enemy of bananas, kylie worshipper, opposer of mediocrity, secret lover of everything indian' :)"
hahahahahha
you know me so well ;o)
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