Culture Clash Wednesday #7 Style Norms
It's the middle of the week! Do you know what that means? It's culture clash Wednesday! The day I share an awkward, fun, or uncomfortable moment with all of you! Today's will make you a little angry. My family and I recently attended a wedding for a family member. We were all excited for the opportunity to dress up in Indian garb for the event. We have boxes and boxes of the stuff and jump on any chance to put them on. Especially the kids because they call them their handsome clothes!The reception was held in a huge building. There were multiple other parties going on and a restaurant downstairs. At one point, my two year old said he needed to go potty. I grabbed him and we started to walk towards the restrooms. After we left the room our party was in, we noticed a couple from another party. They were talking to each other and then they saw my son and I. The moment they saw us, they stopped talking and stared. Now, I don't mean just looked at us, I mean stared! They looked us up and down and continued while we walked across the room. The didn't say a word.After we walked passed, our backs to them, they started laughing and pointing....I turned around to look at them and couldn't believe it. They were laughing at my son and I. They were clearly pointing at our outfits and laughing. I understand that seeing people in clothing other than what you're used to can be different, but to mock and laugh... I quickly took my son to the bathroom because I didn't want him to know what was happening. I have been thinking about this moment all week. A large part of me wishes I would have stopped and said something. Are we offending you somehow? Do our clothes bother you? Do you enjoy laughing at a mother and her child? It's easy for people to have snap judgements when they see something foreign to them. Instead of being open to new things, they get stuck on the fact that it breaks a norm they have lived within. The couple laughed at my son and I because we broke a style norm for them. We weren't wearing American clothes for the wedding and this baffled them.As this moment continues to stir up emotions within myself, I realize it's a great teaching opportunity for my kids. I don't want my kids to fear wearing Indian clothes in fear of someone's response. I want them to be proud of their culture and strut down the hall wearing their little Indian suits with all the pride in the world. We have to challenge this type of response in people. Instead of getting stuck in our rage we need to work towards change. We need to challenge their ignorance and expose the world to a new way of doing things.