Cultural Experience
31 March 2012
I recently attended the wedding of my friend, John, in Los Angeles. Although he’s been in America since he was eleven, he speaks English so well you wouldn't suspect he spent his first fifteen years in China. The wedding took place in Temple City, CA on the 24th of March. Approximately half the ceremony was spoken in Mandarin Chinese. This was out of respect for the older relatives that hadn't yet mastered English. The ceremony took a little over two hours and was, for the most part, a typical American Christian wedding ceremony. There was, however, a lovely Chinese ritual called the Tea Ceremony. This ritual is an ancient custom intended to demonstrate respect and honor for family. First, Jennifer, the bride, formally introduced John to each member of her family, even if they've already met, while paying strict attention to the order of presentation. After each introduction Jennifer served a cup of tea to her relative. Next, John introduced Jennifer to his family in the same way. After the ceremony was complete, gifts (mostly red envelopes) were placed on a silver serving tray and presented to the couple.
My participation was limited because I was a guest but I saw how smoothly their families had blended American and Chinese cultural traditions into a beautiful wedding ceremony. Many of the guests didn't speak English well, and some not at all, but we managed to convey our mutual respect and happiness for the future of the newlyweds with smiles and bows. This experience reminded me that all cultures have value and beauty even when I can’t understand the language or the customs. I hope I will be patient with and tolerant of all of my student’s unique attributes and customs.
I recently attended the wedding of my friend, John, in Los Angeles. Although he’s been in America since he was eleven, he speaks English so well you wouldn't suspect he spent his first fifteen years in China. The wedding took place in Temple City, CA on the 24th of March. Approximately half the ceremony was spoken in Mandarin Chinese. This was out of respect for the older relatives that hadn't yet mastered English. The ceremony took a little over two hours and was, for the most part, a typical American Christian wedding ceremony. There was, however, a lovely Chinese ritual called the Tea Ceremony. This ritual is an ancient custom intended to demonstrate respect and honor for family. First, Jennifer, the bride, formally introduced John to each member of her family, even if they've already met, while paying strict attention to the order of presentation. After each introduction Jennifer served a cup of tea to her relative. Next, John introduced Jennifer to his family in the same way. After the ceremony was complete, gifts (mostly red envelopes) were placed on a silver serving tray and presented to the couple.
My participation was limited because I was a guest but I saw how smoothly their families had blended American and Chinese cultural traditions into a beautiful wedding ceremony. Many of the guests didn't speak English well, and some not at all, but we managed to convey our mutual respect and happiness for the future of the newlyweds with smiles and bows. This experience reminded me that all cultures have value and beauty even when I can’t understand the language or the customs. I hope I will be patient with and tolerant of all of my student’s unique attributes and customs.