CHRISTY FLEMING (journalism student) writes:
There are so many cultural differences just bordering our own country. I am constantly wondering if I am doing anything rude on accident. A perfect example would be when I was getting ready in the morning and Raul, an employee of the hostel, greeted me.
As I am every morning that I wake up to an alarm, I was scatterbrained. His hand reached for mine and I politely put my hand in his thinking that we were shaking hands, but when he leaned forward for a kiss on the cheek, I immediately felt ignorant of Mexican customs.
It reminded me of an episode of Seinfeld. Jerry Seinfeld does everything he can to avoid getting a kiss hello from anyone he doesn’t know very well. During one part, he nervously admitted to one woman that he wasn’t partial to the kiss-on-the-cheek greeting. Of course, like all episodes of Seinfeld, it got him into some trouble.
I'll just have to learn to get used to the “kiss hello,” but the incident opened my eyes. I realized that I am a guest in this country and I should respect it every way that I can.
I just hope that I can be very aware and observant of the locals while I’m here. That includes trying to speak Spanish to them. I think that learning the Mexican culture is not only interesting, but also respectful to all of those who live here. It also plays a major role in why I’m even here in the first place.
The lesson I learned today: read the book Kiss Bow or Shake Hands before visiting any foreign country. It’s a book explaining the do’s and don’ts in other countries. It may come in handy…especially for someone like Jerry Seinfeld.
