How To Interact With People From Different Cultures

I have the same problem. I go to a library program for toddlers. Almost everyone of them are Americans and I find myself the only person not talking much. They are friendly, we smile, engage in small talk but get lost beyond a point.

 

Sometimes it is better to just keep listening, I guess. When my husband got our first apartment for rent, he proudly declared that he found one in which there were a lot of Indians and it was a trouble-free apartment. One part of the apartment was close to a bar and he avoided the rentals in that place. I could understand the bar part to some extent, but I couldn't understand the "Indians" part, but two years later I realized what he was talking about. My perception was, anyhow there will be people of different cultures, we will have to gel with them instead of trying to live with our own. But it is not that easy. I was in the same state as you, when I first came. Wearing a choodidar, I went on a local train to one of the big cities, I must have looked damn naive, I did get stares and comments, some people tried being friendly, but it was a bit intimidating. I still remember having worn gold bangles like we do in India and a man got so inquisitive about them, uncomfortably inquisitive. My two cents, as much as possible, wear western outfits, just listen to them and when asked, try to answer. Observe and understand. For me, the most frequently asked question was about arranged marriage. Somehow the concept of arranged marriage seems a very strange concept to westerners. Now I don't get asked about it much. Sometimes, even people from neighboring countries like China also ask about arranged marriage. Americans too feel the same way as us, when they come into a group with majority Indians. The only place where there seems to be true and unhindered interaction is the workplace/office. Otherwise people can feel lost in the vast sea of humanity.

 

Find common topics to talk. Good icebreakers are
1. Weather
2. Sports
3. Movies / Music
4. TV Shows
5. Community events happening in/around the town
6. Get involved with the school community and share things in general about town meetings related to school library etc.
7. If there is any indian festival around the corner share about it relating to their custom if possible

Be careful with Politics though and these are just some pointers

 

it is pretty similar to a blind date ...

 

Breaking the ice is an art to be developed. Just like how you are feeling they do feel it. Listening is a very important part of the conversation and any topic can be dealt with appropriate add on. If they are talking continuously then listening to them will make them feel better. As time goes the rapport will get better.