Cultures Collide

My darling hubby and I have been married for 11 plus years. He is my best friend and I just genuinely like him, most of the time. 😉

We are from different cultures, mostly in our speech. Sometimes, this is because we were from different parts of the country, how we were raised, or that he is 5 years older than me. So, sometimes communication gets a little blurry. It comes out mostly when we are not expecting it.

Sometimes, it is not from being from different cultures but just because I can’t remember cliches. He, however, can remember songs and their tunes from the first time he hears them. (I can’t remember the Itsy Bitsy Spider.)

We make light of our differences and tons of funny looks.

Here are some of OUR examples:
She said, “Honey, can you go make a pallet for one of the kids?”
He thought, “My wife wants me to go put wood together, wouldn’t it be easier to use a blanket and pillows?”

Southerners say “Cut on those lights, would ya’?” or “Mash the button!”
Northerners say “Turn on the lights.” or “Press the button!”
(Southerners are just more violent.)

She says, “Hand me the cup-towel, please.”
He says, “I can’t find the cup-towel, but here is the hand-towel.”
(I think this term came from my family. My Grandma is Czech maybe this is a loose translation.)
He says, “Welcome back Cotter!”
She thinks, “Who is Cotter, is this his ex-girlfriend?” (Again, our age difference.)

My favorite is a conversation I had with his sister.
Sister says, “Lana, would you like some tea?”
I reply, “Please.”
Sister says, “Lana, would you like some tea?” (Thinking Lana must be deaf.)
I reply again, “Please.” (Thinking she must be deaf.)
Sister says again, “Lana, do you want some tea?” (Now, thinking Lana is just rude.)
I say, “YES, Please.” (Thinking what kind of family am I in?)

In the South, I would have said “Ma’am?” if I were asking to repeat something.
Up North, they say, “Please?”
Lesson learned for both of us….”please” can be used different ways.

I love my life and wouldn’t change one thing except for maybe having a full time hand-maiden. I love my family and my hubby’s family. I love how our differences makes us laugh.