So I’ve been here for over a month, and I keep getting asked what is the biggest culture shock I’ve experienced. Every time they ask me, I never know what to say because I’ve been open to everything and had no expectations of anything really, so it is hard to pin point something that has shocked me.
There are two ideas that I can for sure say now, as I have realized are photos and opposite sex interaction. With photos, its been sometimes hard for me to suggest a group photo when I know I cannot post it anywhere because they don’t post pictures on social media. The reasoning behind this, as explained to me by a Qatari girl, was because they have the idea that putting yourself so open on the internet can lead to people using your photos for other purposes. Either way, its something so common and I don’t even think twice about it, that becoming aware of definitely brings it my attention and sad for me because I want to take pictures with some people but I can’t.
With opposite sex interaction, there was a game we played the other day called “Ninja”, which involves making sharp movements and slight touching the other person (nothing at all violent just fun, and light). When it was suggested, three people did not mind and wanted to play, while the others were hesitant. At first and then, I thought they just thought the game was dumb or not interested. But it wasn’t until today that it clicked that they were not comfortable with the slight touching of the arms that is involved, which is not much at all. Just a slight tap on the arm. One guy tried winning without slapping any of the girls, so he would aim for the guys. Today, it was my friends birthday and she wanted to thank them for the gifts she received. When a hug was expected she said “I wish I could hug you guys,” and smiled warmly instead. This for some reason impacted me. A simple hug exchange between the opposite sex is seen as taboo. Not that I didn’t understand this before, but I guess it wasn’t presented to me in this way before. Not everyone is as firm in this belief, obviously there are those more open to the idea of hugs, but the mentality still exists, even among young adults. It almost like an invisible bubble that remains around when guys are present. It doesn’t change the dynamic, not too much since I only really noticed it today again. Just interesting how a simple hug can take on so many different meanings in different parts of the world.
Anyways, a LOT of birthdays lately…so it’s been a lot of eating out and celebrating. Here are some photos…
We went to a Mexican restaurant, birthday girl ^
my VCU crew! this was on Tuesday
Blurry, but accurately depicts us being silly!
Some people missing, but this is my Cornell/Georgetown/Dorms peeps