Cultural sensitivity vs. being a doormat, this is something
that I struggle with. I feel like I am a guest in someone else’s culture and
never wish to be offensive, however, I have come to the conclusion that some
things are not cultural they are rude. Even if the intent was not meant to be
rude, it matters how I perceive the comment.
Talking about people’s weight is common here. At times the
comments are meant as compliments where as in other cases they are snide
remarks. My favorite compliment was from a friend of mine:
“Did you notice you are gaining weight?”
“No, I don’t think that’s true, my cloths fit the same”
“My eyes don’t lie you are gaining weight. Be careful or
your family will think you are not missing them.”
In case there was any doubt, don’t worry family and friends,
I miss you terribly regardless of my fluctuating body size. On the flip side I
am also told:
“Lesego, you are gaining weight!”
“Ah, in my culture that is not nice to say”
“But what should I say, so you know you need to loose
weight”
This is meant as just a fact, however, I do not hear it that
way and thus I have started to put my foot down and been more adamant that yes
I am in your culture but I still have my own culture.
On the flip side coming back to the village it was great to
see how much I was missed =)
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