Expat's Appetizer Misunderstanding: A Cross-Cultural Communication Lesson

Making Friends in a New Country: A Story of Appetizers and Cultural Differences Moving to a new country is exciting, but it can also be challenging. One of the biggest hurdles is making new friends. A Spanish woman living in the US, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently shared her experience on social media. Her story, told through a short video, highlights the cultural differences that can impact how simple social invitations are interpreted. "In Spain," she explains in her video, "if someone suggests 'let's catch up' or 'let's hang out,' it's usually more of a casual suggestion. But in the US, it seems more direct and implies a stronger commitment to actually meet up." She describes an encounter with another woman she met while volunteering. After a positive interaction, she suggested they meet for appetizers. While the other woman initially seemed enthusiastic, she never confirmed a specific time or date, and the meeting never materialized. "I didn't realize the invitation was more of a casual suggestion here," she admits. The experience, while disappointing, provided a valuable lesson in cross-cultural communication. Her story offers a glimpse into the complexities of building social connections in a new environment and underscores the importance of clear and culturally sensitive communication.

Diario ABC

2 months ago

Una española que vive en Estados Unidos se queda a cuadros con la forma de hace…

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