My buddy Bogoljub Karic has been in a relationship with a Mexican girl for a number of years now and he was the first person I wanted to talk to when I met a girl from Mexico City last year. Relationships are not easy at the best of times but with the added complication of two cultures colliding, there is much more to take into account. The world we live in today is much smaller than ever before and it is not uncommon at all to meet a couple from two different backgrounds. Nonetheless, this can pose quite a challenge and if you happen to meet someone with a different cultural background to yourself, here are some tips on making it work.
Language
In most cases one party can speak the other person’s language better than the other way around but this is not to say that communication is easy. Even someone who is from another country can speaks great English for example, this is not too say that they are always going to completely understand what you are feeling or what is going on. This is why it is so important that both parties try their best to speak the language of their partner, so that they can properly express themselves.
Patience
Patience is so important in any relationship but even more so when it comes to a relationship between two people from different cultures. You have to remember that your partner has been raised in a completely different situation to you and you must respect that and have patience with them. Patience takes on a whole new meaning when you date a latina of course given their issues with punctuality, but I am really referring to the wider relationship and the importance of being patient.
Joining in
Some cultures have different events and traditions to us and instead of ignoring them it is important that you embrace them as your own. In my situation for example things like Day of the Dead and Independence Day aren’t something which we celebrate back in the UK, but that doesn’t mean that I should simply ignore their existence. When you start to date someone from a different culture it is up to you to be understanding in terms of their cultures and their traditions.
Maintaining
There is a temptation to change who you are in order to make the relationship work but this is not something which is recommended and in order to make the relationship work best you should stay exactly who you are. When you welcome someone from a different culture into your life you suddenly realize a little more about your own identity and that is a good thing. You should absolutely celebrate who you are and how your background has shaped you, in order for both of you to maintain your own identity and embrace each other’s.
These relationships can provide you with a lot, the key is to learn that you must approach them differently.