I had noticed that with a lot of people, maybe because they don't encounter people from another culture very often, they don't quite understand the social difficulties they face.
If you've ever grown up in a family where English is not your first langauge, or members are from another country and had to translate how things work around here to your parents...have immigrated, or been a refugee, things are going to be very foreign, the culture may be the complete opposite of what you are used to, also all the things you knew how to do in your old home country just won't work in your adopted one.
I've had some very rude and ignorant people make assumptions about people from other cultures - 'other' meaning they may speak a different language that you don't understand. Christians sadly do this as well, put people down for speaking in tongues they may not understand, don't translate, and don't make an effort to make people feel welcome.
I am going to be brave and challenge you all to think about how you interact with people who are not like yourself. That don't look like you, and don't speak like you. Are you kind, hospitable and gracious or do you regard 'them' as an enemy?
If you've ever grown up in a family where English is not your first langauge, or members are from another country and had to translate how things work around here to your parents...have immigrated, or been a refugee, things are going to be very foreign, the culture may be the complete opposite of what you are used to, also all the things you knew how to do in your old home country just won't work in your adopted one.
I've had some very rude and ignorant people make assumptions about people from other cultures - 'other' meaning they may speak a different language that you don't understand. Christians sadly do this as well, put people down for speaking in tongues they may not understand, don't translate, and don't make an effort to make people feel welcome.
I am going to be brave and challenge you all to think about how you interact with people who are not like yourself. That don't look like you, and don't speak like you. Are you kind, hospitable and gracious or do you regard 'them' as an enemy?