Intercultural differences can be an interesting phenomenon to observe. It helps us to know more about others’ cultures, and it is always a good way to foster new friendships by showing interest and indulging in their unique practices.
I have had ample opportunities to observe differences in cultures since my university life because I stay in a multi-cultural hostel. For me, it is an invaluable experience as students from different countries and walks of life gather in a same hall and get to know each other. Being hall residents, we have a lot of activities to bond us together, and naturally we get to know people from other countries.
I have observed one interesting difference between the practice of Chinese from my country and those from the Republic of China. I have observed my friends from China preparing dumplings when Chinese New Year was approaching. According to the culture of my country, we prepare cookies and rice cakes to celebrate this important occasion.
Their practice of cooking dumplings for the celebration aroused my curiosity. I attempted to ask if they knew anything about New Year cookies and rice cakes, and apparently there were no such practices in their hometowns. It was an enjoyable experience when I learned to make dumplings from them while I shared the delicacies from my hometown with them.
From this example, we can see the deviation of cultures from place to place, even though we are celebrating the same occasion. Without communication, we may never know the existence of other unique practices. While exploring these interesting cultures, we are able to know more about our friends from other cultures, if not fostering invaluable new friendships.
