Cultural Paradigms

Lesson #5                                                                                                                          5/15/17                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Cultural Paradigms

          The paradigm thought has always existed and is even more noticeable in countries where many different types of cultures coexist. I would like to share with you in this blog two experiences about this topic. One is a personal experience of mine, the other is a personal experience of my son.

First experience

          My personal experience on this subject was in a day of work. I was preparing everything to be ready to open the restaurant where I worked. I had companions who were from Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, USA and me, from Uruguay.

           I worked in a part of the restaurant where I prepared the sandwiches along with a companion who was from Mexico. At one point during the work hours my partner called me by my name and I answered, "que" (what) she was very angry with me and she told me that this is not the way to answered, that it is disrespectful, you have to said "mande" (this mean like: order!)

          I was shocked! I had never intended to be disrespectful. Many things were going through my mind thinking that was what I should answer, however, I also thought that the way I was supposed to respond her was not an appropriate way in my culture.

Second experience

          The "mate", is a typical and traditional drink in Uruguay. This drink could be copied as if it were a "tea" although it is taken very differently. This is not a simple drink, it is also a symbol of sharing and friendship.

          My son Matias, is serving a mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He misses a lot  the “mate" when he had an interview with his mission president he asked him if he could take “mate." His mission president is from USA. The response of his mission president was very quick and simple, his answer was:  No, because it goes against the word of wisdom.  My son was very surprised and answered with a question: then, all the Bishops, stake Presidents and members of the church in Uruguay are breaking the word of wisdom? The mission president replied: we are here in this mission, I do not know how it will be in Uruguay.

                                                        Conclusion

          

         As an ESL or ELL teacher this is a great challenge that is important to be able to handle so that all students enjoy the class, learn and have the desire to attend.

          I would like to give students the opportunity to be able to show us and teach us all about their culture and traditions of their countries. Have a day in which we celebrate different cultures, with flags of different countries, posters that welcome in different languages ​​and share food from different countries. This is an excellent way to socialize and introduce ourselves a little in different cultures.

          It is very important that students learn and understand that they must respect the traditions and cultures of the country where they are living, but also respect the cultural differences of people from different countries. We do not have to abandon our own culture and tradition, as long as this is not reflected as offensive to the people of the country where we are living.

          If we are going to live in a country that is not our homeland we must learn its culture, traditions and language. We should familiarize ourselves first with the country where we are living and then with the people who live in the country and who are from other countries. If we are all living in one place we have to know each other. Knowledge helps to expand our mind and intelligence, we become more open people to learn and socialize.

“Knowledge is power and power is knowing”