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CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
At home in your
own country, there are probably many customs, habits and social
rules that you do not even think about – you are so used to them
that you take them for granted. Many of these patterns vary from
culture to culture, and that is one of the things that makes
living in another country so educational. For example, when you
first arrive in the UK, you may notice differences in:
• the way people dress
• the behaviour of men and women – towards each other and in
general
• expectations about punctuality – how important it is to be on
time
• attitudes toward animals – for example, many people share
their homes with dogs, cats and other pets
• aspects of religious practice
• food and eating habits
• the climate.
As you settle in
to life in the UK, you may find yourself learning new ways of
doing all sorts of things, such as:
• dressing appropriately for different types of occasion
• greeting people
• offering, accepting and refusing hospitality
• thanking people
• behaving politely in a range of situations
• expressing your opinion
• relating to members of the opposite sex
• looking after yourself – including everything from running
your own UK bank account to preparing your own food, washing
your own clothes and making your own bed.
Prepare yourself
for these cultural differences by finding out as much as you can
about the UK before you come.
Explaining your
needs
Once you are
here, remember that people in the UK may not know as much about
cultural differences as you do. If they are not familiar with
your culture, they will not understand your needs and concerns
unless you explain them. If you are living in lodgings or
sharing accommodation with others, you may need to explain:
• which foods you may and may not eat, and why
• which methods of preparing food are acceptable for you, and
why
• why you would prefer to eat your main meal at a different time
of the day
• that you need some privacy every day to pray or meditate
• about any other personal needs you may have – e.g. if you
prefer to wash under running water instead of taking a bath.
Do remember to
explain why you follow these guidelines. People will understand
your needs better if they also understand the cultural reasons
for them. |
