One of the most beautiful things people can do is to share their cultures with others. As someone who grew up moving around often on account of my parents’ work, it was hard to understand then how lucky I am to have grown up learning about so many different cultures, religions, histories and languages. As an adult now living in the UK, I am thankful for everything I have learnt through others. It really does open your mind.
Being both French and Lebanese and growing up in an intercultural household, I have learnt to love both sides of my heritage. Not only do I love both of my cultures, I have learnt to share them with friends and partners, and be proud of where I came from.
Having myself been in relationships with people of different cultures than me, I may not be an expert in the field but I have grown to want to share my experience with it.
A lot of the time people discuss the struggles of being in an intercultural relationship, and while yes, it happens that there are negative experiences attached to it, some people are a lot more open-minded and interested in learning a culture that isn’t theirs. The only “problem” with being in a relationship, and it really only is if you see it that way, would be that it will be a lot more in your face than if you are just friends with someone. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
That being said, now that I am twenty and have been in two intercultural relationships, one with an Italian background and another being English, it is quite clear to say your culture really does have an effect on the way you were brought up that could evidently have an impact on a relationship.
I will never forget the moment I realized my ex-boyfriend had prejudices about my middle eastern culture. The little sly comments that were made in passing I missed, or the lack of effort in understanding the way he was supposed to act around my family.
I mean the amount of times I have repeated, don’t kiss me, don’t hug me, act a certain way, felt like it was going through one ear and out the other.
And yes I do appreciate him making an effort in the food department. I mean that man could eat, and he seemed to love Lebanese cuisine. Who wouldn’t?
Although now being with someone else, an English guy (who would’ve thought), I have realized, it actually does exist, being open-minded and respectful of others cultures that may seem quite different to your own.
Am I annoyed he keeps asking to take me to Mount Lebanon? Well…maybe yes, but at least he makes the effort. He learns about issues in the Middle East, when I talk about Lebanon, he doesn’t turn a deaf ear. He sits there and listens to me drone on about the country’s beauty and my Teta’s food.
Although I will say, the endless French jokes about protests and the people being rude, as true as they are, make me now want to pester the English. All the jokes made between us are made with full offence by the way.