OPINION & EDITORIAL
Cultural differences run deep
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Also by Nicole Marklein:
- College Repulicans: Vote for four more years (November 2, 2004)
- Legislators: Override Doyle on conceal and carry (January 22, 2004)
- What is 'African American?' (January 29, 2004)
- Cultural differences run deep (February 4, 2004)
- A seasonal paradox (December 10, 2003)
Related Stories:
- Alternative participation (November 15, 2004)
- Americans unite via cultural evolution, pursuit of wealth (October 4, 2006)
- Educational epiphanies abroad (March 1, 2005)
- U.S. lacks individuality of years past (March 5, 2007)
- Super Bowl rich in Americanism (February 5, 2007)
by Nicole Marklein
Wednesday, February 4, 2004
By spending my winter break studying in Oaxaca, Mexico, I planned on gaining a better handle on the Spanish language, as well as learning more about Oaxacan culture. What I hadn’t planned on was learning as much as I did about my own culture.
The trip allowed me to acknowledge some aspects of society in the United States that I never needed to before, or that had always just seemed automatic to me. For example, one Mexican asked me why Americans act so cold to one another. He noticed that when two Americans greet each other, they seldom hug, and even more rarely kiss one another. He wondered about the reason for this. Aren’t we happy to see each other? I had no answer.
He had a point. I guess I had never really thought about how overprotective North Americans are of their own personal space because I had been so accustomed to this norm. I murmured something about spreading germs, but told him that he was right and that I actually preferred the greater amount affection in his culture.
From that point forward, each new aspect of Mexican culture that I observed offset something different about the United States by shedding it in a different light for me. So I began to soak up all the idiosyncrasies of this culture that, in certain ways, seemed to be so different, and somehow better, than my own. It was easy to appreciate the relaxed schedule, the great food, and the friendly demeanor.
However, after the novelty of all of this started to wear off and I began to settle myself into Oaxacan life, I started to note differences that I didn’t find as enjoyable.
At first they were small things, like not being able to rely on running water. Later, though, I began to pinpoint deeper cultural differences.
This will probably be only one of the few times that I will actually admit this, but over break I started to miss discussing politics, and pretty much anything, with people that respectfully disagree with me. Of course, that is not because there was a lack of liberals around me who didn’t share my opinions, but rather because I was prevented from even mentioning certain subjects.
I quickly learned that there were two topics that were just not good ideas to bring up for discussion: politics and soccer. I soon realized that one’s favorite soccer team was something almost of religion, and decided not to even approach this topic other than the occasional “Yes, I like soccer.”
Still, being a political science student, I was particularly eager to discuss certain topics with people who see them from a completely different perspective. However, my political questions were sometimes met with the sharp answer that such subjects were not discussed socially.
Upon pressing the issue, I found out why. Although this is not universally true for everyone who I met, I learned that many people in Oaxaca avoided such topics because, many times, differences of opinion became deeper than just differences. Sometimes they were grounds for judging a person’s intrinsic qualities and personality.
I had been so accustomed to discussing political issues and sports in the United States and here on campus, where open dialogue and disagreement are welcome. We are able to have long, drawn-out discussions without our disputes ever becoming personal. So for three weeks, I attempted, sometimes unsuccessfully, to hold my tongue.
Overall, my experience abroad fulfilled my expectations: I improved my Spanish-speaking skills (somewhat) and began to appreciate and understand Mexican culture in a totally new way.
However, I feel that I somehow got even more than what I expected, for I had the chance to learn more about my home by being far away from it. There are many aspects of Oaxaca that I love and miss, but there are also many additional characteristics of the United States that I have just begun to really appreciate.
If you have the chance or have ever even thought about studying abroad, do it. Not only are you certain to gain a completely new appreciation and understanding for a different culture, but for your own as well.
Nicole Marklein (nmmarklein@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in political science.
