Cross-cultural friendship is more common in contemporary society due to globalization. These friendships can be very valuable – it can be your college roommate or coworker with whom you share the same office, but he or she is from a different country.
Cultural differences may sometimes appear to be quite an issue. Here, we will explain how to develop a successful cross-cultural friendship.
Understanding Cultural Differences
The basis of cross-cultural friendship is an appreciation of cultural differences. Each particular nation has its values, traditions, and codes of behavior. Some cultures respect personal space, while others consider it improper to maintain a distance while interacting.
It is not wrong to take time to understand your friend’s culture; it goes a long way toward showing that you care. You can ask them questions that pertain to their culture, such as questions about their culture’s customs and food.
Perhaps, you will find something entertaining or new about other cultures and probably chuckle at some truths. So, it is crucial to come to these discussions with an open mind. Be careful about cross-cultural friendship to avoid offending or disrespecting the other person.
Communication Is Key
Communication is important in any friendship, especially in a cross-cultural friendship. Sometimes people of different languages do not understand each other, but there are interesting moments when people from different countries have to communicate with each other.
If your friend speaks another language, then pick up a few phrases! It can cause humor and intimacy or at least show you have the potential for it. Besides, it indicates your concern regarding their culture. Apart from words, pay attention to body language as well.
Different forms of nonverbal communication exist between individuals and communities, with cultural differences. If you ever need to know how comfortable your friend is, you can always check if they are okay with physical contact or space.
Celebrating Differences
One of the sweetest parts of cross-cultural friendship is diversity. If your friend invites you to a cultural event, it would be wise to go. Engaging in their celebrations is an excellent way of understanding them better in events like festivals, holidays, or family functions.
This also builds curiosity that can be meaningful and bring you closer together. Also, don’t be shy about sharing your family’s traditions. Take your friend out to celebrate special holidays and festivals with you.
In this case, the exchange of cultures can be rewarding as people have the chance to learn from one another and respect the opinions of the other. That way, it becomes a process of learning from each other and developing an even richer mixture of experiences that can improve cross-cultural friendship.
Final Thoughts
Cross-cultural friendships can be a beautiful, enriching experience. Understanding cultural differences, paying attention to how you communicate, and embracing differences mean that cultural issues are not problematic.
Take an opportunity to learn from each other and make friends across geographical boundaries. Developing cross-cultural friendships is like discovering a new country, and the relationship will improve your life in so many unexpected ways.
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