Observing the Cultural Differences

Blogging From: Vaucresson, France.

When I started this blog I told myself that I was going to write about those things people don't tell you about when you travel. For example, no one ever told me, not even the internet, that being robbed is so common in Paris. Moreover, no one ever mentioned the fact that Parisians are not very nice. For that reason, this post is dedicated to comparing some of the things that have attracted my attention in the American and European( French) culture. I would like to say that this post is not intended to offend anyone, but I am merely translating what I observe on the day-to-day.

I have been fascinated with the way races interact in France. I was born in a country where race doesn't mean much. I mean, we are Salvadorans, Ticos, Hondurans, etc., but most importantly, we are Central Americans or Hispanic. There has never been a big debate about who is what. Then, I arrived in United States at a very younger age, 14, and witnessed a different world. Race is such a taboo topic in America that people refuse to discuss it because they don't want to hurt others. Furthermore, being Hispanic, Black, Asian, etc., means that you're a minority, which to be honest, I still don't even understand what that means. I don't understand why you would label another person a minority or to be less than someone else. No one is ever less than the next person. Personally, I have never felt offended or considered myself a "minority". This is because I have done a fair share of things that people my own age, gender or even race have yet to accomplish. I work hard for what I want. Yes, I have failed at many, many, MANY things. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't label myself. I have never used the excuse that I'm Hispanic or that I am girl to justify some of the things I haven't done or received. I believe that if you work hard, you will reach your goal. So far, it has worked.

It's very interesting to see that in France race is not a taboo. Everyone hangs out with everyone. You don't get the question "Are you Mexican?", which still amazes me. I never really took offense to the Mexican jokes. Whoever knows me knows this is actually true. In France, I get the "what country are you from?", or if someone hears my accent, they immediately ask if I am from the United States. What's even better is the fact that you don't really see the cliques. Here, you see a group of people from different races. This is something I have yet to witnessed in the USA (with frequency). In the U.S., I mostly see people from the same race sticking together, whether it is in a neighborhood, school, or even in meetings. For example, I have seen that in a room full of people, African Americans or Hispanics, or even whites, feel an immediate attraction to their own people, even if they don't know each other. And then there is me, who has been hanging out with everyone as long as they meet my criteria for a friend. I can't say I like everyone. As some of you have seen, I am very selective of who I become friends with.

Moreover, something that also attracts my attention is the communication. We all know Americans are known for using the phrase "This is America, speak American"...Sarah Palin. No, the real phrase is "This is America, speak English". Having been on both ends of this phrase, I completely understand. I once arrived in the United States without knowing a word of English, so clearly, I would stick with what I knew, which was Spanish. I spoke to my family in Spanish in front of others that couldn't understand me. I didn't mean to offend anyone, but I couldn't speak English. Now I understand where people are coming from when they ask you to speak English. It is kind of rude to speak another language around those who cannot understand you. In France, however, it's a different story. You hear so many different languages every day that it is almost like you assume the person you just met speaks another language besides French or English. Pretty cool stuff. You hear many languages on the street or on the metro and no one seems to take offense to it. Now, I'm not French, so I'm not sure if this is how it actually works, but this is how I see it as an outsider.