Respect.
It’s easy to get on a high horse when it comes to another culture. One of the defining classifications of culture shock is criticizing, a normal reaction to handling stress. “Suspend judgment,” Dr. Albert advises. Before thinking of another culture’s tradition as wrong, stop and think of how many silly traditions exist in your own. Sure, it’s weird that in the Czech Republic boys lightly beat girls with a stick on Easter and demand an egg, but try explaining why you bob for apples dressed as a sexy witch on Halloween.

Be Flexible.
The relationship will stand its best chance when both cultures are brought to the table and each person is willing to bend a little. Perhaps it means opening up to a new religious belief or even just incorporating a new food group. Kissoon says, “You don’t have to compromise who you are, but be aware of who you both are and embrace it.”

Making sure you really understand your partner is all the more important in intercultural relationships. If I didn’t put in extra effort, my boyfriend would still assume that stop signs reading “all-way” were the only ones that enforced a full stop, and I’d be wondering when his hookers were coming over.

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