Living in a multicultural world

Culture defines most of our traits: what we like and what we don't like, what is good and what is bad, even what is right and what is wrong. What happens then when people from different backgrounds get together for creating a family, a project or living in the same neighborhood?

Clash! Conflict, at one level or another. To be honest, tolerance is not natural.

Most people I know who live in a different cultural context long to "go back home", a place where most of the people, if not all, share a similar religion, thought, like similar songs and eat similar food.

But most people I know in that situation are incapable to go back home, because even their home has become multicultural.

My personal experience living in that context is that this is a wonderful and unique learning experience. But, to prevent much suffering, there are a few things you can do:

• Understand if that is a permanent state or just a temporary one. If it is permanent, then go on reading the suggestions here; if it is temporary, just enjoy the moment, learn as much as possible and share as much as possible!
• See others' culture from their own point of view. Appreciate as much as possible their struggle to reach to this point in time and respect deeply the differences with your own perspective.
• Compromise - some of your cultural traits are easily to leave aside, at least when you are in this multicultural environment. In relation to other traits, which have become principles along the time and so you cannot sacrifice them, make agreements with the people around you, so they understand what you are doing and respect that, appreciating your culture.
• AVOID JOKES in relation to others' cultural habits.
• If someone jokes in relation to your cultural habits, smile and be flexible about that; it that hurt, approach the person later, when you are alone, and explain it.
• When there are things you are doing, or others are doing, which are turning into difficult situations, look for a mediator who is impartial, preferably someone who understands all the sides of the conflict.
• If it is still hurting - someone's comment, jokes around, the way people treat you - then, it is better to leave that environment. Look for a place where you feel safe, do a deep internal check in and learn whatever you have to learn, let go whatever you have to let go.

Hope that is helpful in this multicultural age!