Social Media Post - Week 9

This week has been the week where I've noticed the change in my vocabulary over my time here in London. My conscious competence somehow turned into, unconscious competence. Conscious competence is when you focus on analytic thinking and learning. Unconscious competence is the level at which communication goes smoothly but is NOT a conscious process. When I first came to London, I forced myself to say things like "chips" instead of "fries", and "toilet" instead of "restroom." The reason I did this was because I knew before coming here that the cultural language was different from my own. So I would remind myself of these cultural differences, and became very aware of what I saying and when I was saying it. However, as time went on, I started to think less and less about it. It wasn't until Thanksgiving dinner that I realized that my conscious competence, to always remind myself of what to say, became unconscious. I was ordering mash, and I also asked the waiter where the toilets where. He kindly took my order, and I didn't think anything of it until my fellow classmates commented on it, and asked me why I had said "mash" instead of "mashed potatoes."  I've grown so accustomed to these words and this language that it is something that I don't have to think about anymore and I just, do.

Social Media Post - Week 8

This week in class, we talked about conflict. One of the topics was on indirect/direct conflict approaches to certain situations. Since being in London I haven't had many conflicts at all, but there is one that does stand out. A couple weeks ago, me and three other girls apart of the program were verbally harassed by a man whom we'd never met on the tube. The four of us were getting on the tube when a man behind us started to talk to us. It wasn't until we were all standing on the tube that he directly approached us, and made his point clear. From his viewpoint we didn't let people get off the tube before we got on. However, we didn't see anyone getting off when we got on, so it was probably just a huge misunderstanding. He kept belittling us, he used very precise language, and he kept trying to articulate his issue with us (direct conflict approach). However, the four of us didn't want anything to do with him. When he would ask us questions saying "do you understand?" or "do you get how it works in this country now?" we wouldn't even reply. We would start to move away from him and continue to ignore him, just to avoid the situation (indirect conflict approach).  I personally consider myself a pacifist, meaning that when conflict arises I tend to avoid it, and stay calm. The other girls I was with however, are usually direct in their conflicts, but since we were all in such a different culture than to one we were used to; it was hard for us to anything but indirect. Because at least for me, I didn't know if other people on the tube would side with him, or us. The man eventually left us alone and got off the tube a short time later. Unfortunately, it will be one of my most memorable experiences on this trip.

Social Media Post - Week 7

This week we have been learning all about popular culture and how it influences us. Something I've learned about is how America rarely learns about any other pop culture outside of the US already. In fact I could only tell you about the TV show Misfits and of course the infamous One Direction; because that's as far as my knowledge goes for Pop Culture in Britain. However since coming here I have been introduced to many different popular things here, such as fashion. Pop culture is often seen as populist, and that can depend on what culture you belong to. Back in Vancouver, fashion isn't that big of a deal. I could go out to the grocery store in sweat pants and a hoodie and no one would even give a glance my way. Since being in London however, fashion has been a big part of my life. I've found myself thinking more and more about what I'm choosing to wear out and about and whether or not it will reflect upon myself badly. Because here fashion is a big deal, and it represents who you are as a person. Although yoga pants may be pop culture back in the states; here it is skinny jeans and leather jackets.

Social Media Post - #6

If there is one thing that I hate more in this world, it's when people invade my personal space. I'm fine if I have a certain relationship with that person, but if they're a total stranger then I feel quite awkward. The United Kingdom is a noncontact culture; meaning in which people tend to stand farther apart when conversing, maintain less eye contact, and touch less often. North America is as well a noncontact culture, but we also have aspects that make us a contact culture as well. I've been told many times by Brits, that we tend to stand too close during conversation, and make too much eye contact. However, if I've learned anything about my time in London, it's that the tube becomes a very contact oriented place, and its something most Americans would find awkward. Earlier this week the picadilly line was down, so the central line, the line I take to school, was packed. I've been on packed lines before, but this one was just insane. For the first time since being here I felt my personal space being completely invaded by total strangers. It was too the point where people were literally leaning on me, yet no one seemed as affect or as awkward as me, because for them this was an acceptable way to break the noncontact culture rules. Most people in America wouldn't have even gotten on the train. By the end of my journey I had to literally push my way through to the door. So although all cultures are either a contact or a noncontact one, there are certain situations where this can get reversed.