Here but Not There

16 October 2020

Week 5: Cultural Miscommunication

Have you ever been somewhere and done something that seemed to be founded upon? Like saying no to seconds or greeting someone in an unfamiliar way. These inconsistencies are simple differences in Culture.

I served a mission on San Jose, California. I loved it because I was always within the Hispanic community. I quickly learned customs as I knew they would be different. Honestly learning these customers where much easier then I though. I hugged everyone on Sunday and also exchanged a kiss on the cheek. It wasn’t until I got home that I had forgotten how cultural some of the things I picked up were. After a conversation I felt uncomfortable as I would go for a hug but it was not replicated. I would eat slower so that I was given seconds and thirds, but in reality my family hated that I took so long to eat. I had grown accustomed to many things and had forgotten that they were not things I had done before.

Every culture has there way of doing something, and no one is wrong. It is just different. It is important to teach TESOL student customs of those counties that speak English. It is also important to make sure as a teacher you know the customer that are associated with your students so that you can better interact and teach them.