Culture Fusion, Culture Clash, Culture SHOCKed!

I am back with another post on reflecting on my German internship. It all leads to something great and I hope you’re excited just as I am to see where it’ll end up. #NIseries #NIpost

The diverse office

I often get asked the question about how I survived in my workspace since my German was not so great. It was easy! English was the required language. Everyone at times spoke their native language with others who understood or when calling their loved ones back home. We were also able to teach each other some of our favourite phrases in our languages and of course, Jamaican Patois was one of the unusual languages that many could not get enough of. Our ages ranged as much as our cultural background and being the youngest there, I was able to learn so much and offer in return.

Even though the office was vastly international, it still became my solace because of the genuine friendships I made there. Many of them became my family and we still communicate frequently. It was a joy going on work trips with them, having frequent lunch and dinner dates, and even getting to go on vacation together. I can still remember our frequent office ‘Fika’ and ‘Racklette’ parties.

Fika- (Swedish origin) a special time in the day when colleagues and friends have coffee and share food with each other. (being that our office was international, we each had to cook or take along something representing our culture).

Racklette (Swiss origin) A traditional meal prepared while at the party with different types of cheeses and other food using a tabletop grill and coupelles (small pans). I find it similar to Hibachi but instead each person creates their own meals with the ingredients present.

Culture fusion, culture clashes, culture SHOCKed!

In all my communication with people internationally, I felt like I needed to represent Jamaica. I had to be the proudest Jamaican persons had ever met. Everyone I met, proudly boasted about their country and was willing to offer all the best parts. I was among, Europeans, Asians, Americans and Africans and the pride each of them, made me even prouder of Jamaica. Yes, we have so much that could be better with Jamaica, but we are of a unique and strong culture.

In foreign settings I use the opportunity to educate or in many cases re-educate foreigners on Jamaica’s location and our culture. The ignorance about Jamaica, I must admit, frustrated me, but I constantly reminded myself that I may be the only Jamaican that some of these persons will meet or listen to. I know some persons would rather leave people to their own ignorance and miseducation, but then I think it reflects badly on myself and other Jamaicans. I was able to correct people’s knowledge of Jamaica, and I was similarly corrected of my misconceptions about other cultures and languages. One incident which I am sure has happened to many of you, is interchanging the word ‘hush’ and ‘sorry’. I quickly stopped using ‘hush’ because of the disgust and confusion I was met with. Many times it just slipped out of my mouth forgetting that in other countries ‘hush’ is not a meaning of endearment but instead to ‘shut up’.

My friends and I were able to share our love for trying new foods and listening to varying music. We were able to take each other to cultural events and expose each other to the different sides of our countries. I adapted to the German culture relatively quickly. I got used to German food eventually and went from only preparing Jamaican type meals at home to cooking sausages, baked vegetables, and potatoes very often. I also went from drinking tea only when I was sick to drinking it 2 or 3 times a day. What I could not get use to however, was the lightly seasoned dishes and the medium rear meat, which I am understanding is succulent to many. After trying it once I quickly reverted to my ‘burnt’ meat because why not?!

I no longer drink alcohol as much currently but in Germany I realized drinking was more than occasional. I however can somewhat understand because their beers and ciders are as awesome as you hear in movies or read in books. That is one of the many things I have missed since being back home.

One thing that took a long time getting use to was seeing so much smoking. I had never seen so many persons smoke in one place at one time constantly before. I was shocked! People of all ages, the youngest being 12, both genders, pregnant and with a young child. It was definitely a cultural habit. Smoking was allowed in many clubs which I could not understand. Therefore, I only went if I knew my wash day was the next morning.

With all of this said I enjoyed sharing in the variety of cultures and was honoured to have represented my culture the way I did. I look forward to learning and experiencing more. When you do get a chance to travel. Rep your country!! And learn as much as you can about others.

#repyourcountry

#NIseries

#NIpost

#travel