Matthew_IC_CP#2

My conversation partners for today were Elysia from Venezuela and one student from Kuwait and another from Saudi Arabia. We talked about a range of topics including how one's country perceives equality, religion, and modesty. These more complex beliefs are cultural and go much deeper than just the surface. For example, modesty is influenced by religion and therefore, modesty in Saudi Arabia is different than in the USA. For example, for a woman to wear shorts and sandals in the USA causes no alarming looks. However, this might be perceived as being loosely modest in Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. Elysia stated that in Venezuela, modesty is seen very similar to how it is in the United States. Some women may dress more risque, whereas some women may always cover themselves. I learned from my CP's that time management is very similar in the USA as it is to the Middle East and in Venezuela. Furthermore, we compared our culture's concepts of gift giving. This led into a great discussion of Arabic weddings and how newlyweds should always receive money or jewelry and very nice gifts. Elysia stated that gifts could be given for many occasions including birthdays, holidays, weddings, or simply just because you miss someone or haven't seen them in a while. We also compared how in Venezuela, close friends may not have any personal distance, they could hug, kiss, and sit very close. I think it is similar to very close friends in USA.