Getting cultural is an adventure by itself.  Yes it can be challenging learning a new culture, but if you embrace the differences and adapt to it your experience will be one to remember.  On occasion, the owner of the airplane will invite us crew to spend an evening with them.  Mind you, it’s rare!  To be honest, I don’t like to be invited because it puts a lot of social pressure on me to perform and stay neutral to all things social, political, and religious so as not to offend my boss.  One of these outings my crew and I were invited to spend an evening at a traditional Portuguese Fado restaurant that really blew me away.  What is Fado you might ask?  I thought the same thing and not knowing had me a little freaked out.  What I learned, though, is that Fado is traditional folk music made popular in the Lisbon area of Portugal and played with or without instruments.  The songs tell stories of love lost, death, and sadness and appear somewhat melancholy.  It’s like our version of a good blues or country song.  Experiencing this traditional music while eating Portuguese traditional food, listening to Fado, and sitting in a restaurant that was built hundreds of years ago is astounding.  The experience was mind blowing and one I will always remember.  I love experiencing different cultures apart from my own.  These experiences of getting cultural tend to grow me and give me a deeper appreciation for not just humanity, but the vast complexity of our planet.  If you are heading off to a country you’ve never been before, do yourself the favor and spend some time researching these three things; language, etiquette, and culture.

Language

Getting cultural means tackling the difficulties of embracing a language you are not accustomed to.  There is some debate about what is the most popular language in the world.    If you ask a Westerner, most likely the answer will be English.  However, my research points to Mandarin.  The sheer number of people who speak Chinese are in the billions.  However, some studies do point out that English is the most popular language out there.  Regardless, when you travel to another country it is amazing how far you will go with others of that culture by simply learning and applying the basics of the language.  It shows the person you are speaking with that you recognize you’re a guest in their country and are doing the best to be respectful of then and their country.  Here are my standard six phrases that at a minimum, I highly recommend you commit to memory before visiting a country with a different language:

1. Hello
2. Good morning
3. Good afternoon
4. Thank you
5. Please
6. Excuse me

Etiquette

When I was living in Japan there was a time I wanted to give a friend of mine some flowers as a way of saying sorry.  I went to the store and found what I thought was a beautiful arrangement of flowers.  I gave them to my friend who politely bowed to say thank you.  What I didn’t realize was that I had purchased flowers for a funeral.  So, in a sense, I was saying to my friend, “see you at your funeral!” I was so embarrassed!  Be sure to spend some time researching the basics of etiquette before you go which will help in getting cultural.  Write down the do’s and don’ts for the following:

1. Meeting someone for the first time
2. Giving a gift
3. Dining
4. Table manners
5. Tip expectations

Culture

What is a country without culture?  Culture is what really defines the country.  The experience you have when visiting a country will impact you based on the cultural differences gap.  This is true for us in America as well when it comes to states.  Texas for example, is completely different than visiting New York, or California.  When you leave for a different country, be sure to investigate their dress and style.  You don’t want to be wearing an NFL jersey and running shoes while strolling the Louvre in Paris.  Here are some areas I research before visiting a new country that has served me well:

1. Political system
2. Main Religion
3. Dress style
4. Class systems

In summary, learn some of the language, educate yourself on the basic etiquette you will need not to offend anyone, and of course grow through an exploration of cultural differences.  Who knows, maybe you will make new lifelong friends, expand your experiences, and perhaps, become a little bit better version of you…. Stay safe out there friends, and go experience the world!