Joshua Ballew's Blog
Culture Shock - Part 1 / 02.28.10, 06:35 PM
All over the world people have just finished celebration Chinese New Year. One of the traditions during this time is for married couples to give 利事 (red envelopes) to children or single people. The “red envelopes” contain some money and it’s a way for children to get pocket money for the year.
Last week my family ran into with a family who have two little girls. They were visiting from the States. When my parents gave the “Red Pockets” to the two girls they immediately opened them to take the money out. This caused a slight reaction inside of me. You see, in Macao it isn’t culturally acceptable to open gifts in front of the people who gave it to you. Although I know that there isn’t this expectation in American culture (it might even be the exact opposite) I was still taken aback by it. This brought to my attention that if the things that I already know are different can affect me then how will I react when I encounter an unknown difference in culture.
Please pray that I would be able to overcome culture shock when I return the the States and that the people around me would be understanding of my situation.
On a side note. I just had two of my wisdom teeth removed. I must now read a few chapters of Proverbs to make up for the loss.
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Where will you be going in the US? California?
JMW
By Jim Watkins / Mar 3, 09:24 AM / #
Very insightful about the culture thing—will be praying for you! Read lots of Proverbs!
By Brenda Lisenby / Mar 3, 11:47 PM / #
I hope that people got the humor of needing to read Proverbs after you lost your wisdom teeth. “He who laughs last, thinks slowest.”
Love ‘ya, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Al
By Debbie Campbell / Mar 4, 08:21 PM / #