Are you listening?!?!

We are all guilty of not actively listening from time to time.  For me, I'm most guilty when a device is in my hand.  For others, it's while they are working on a complicated task, or they might be preoccupied with what they are going to say or do next.  I think this clip does a good job of showing both of those last ideas.

Sparkling Trees

Beads are a BIG DEAL in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. They are EVERYWHERE! On balconies, on vehicles, on storefronts, counters, doors, EVERYWHERE. At first, this was a little strange to me, this cultural accessory, but of all the places I saw beads, in the trees were my favorite, like colorful, sparkling plastic icicles.  Many were left there from parade throws gone wrongly, while others were purposely left as festive decorations.  I would love to do this to my own trees, especially in winter and fall when they look so empty and barren, but few Minnesotans would get the cultural reference.

Yogurt Conflict

Chapter 2 was all about culture, and while in New Orleans eating breakfast, I encountered a difference in culture that I found both disturbing and humorous.  We stayed at an Embassy Suites while there, and the hotel hosted a HUGE breakfast each morning.  One of my favorite things there was their extra goopy oatmeal (I'm salivating just looking at this picture).  Next to the oatmeal was a fruit and yogurt bar. On my first morning getting breakfast there, I scooped my oatmeal into a bowl and added my favorite toppings.  Then I saw the yogurt.  I decided I'd put some of the strawberry yogurt in a bowl, too.  Just then, this lady with a strong local accent walked up behind me, ranting, "Don't any of these folks know that yogurt goes on a plate, A PLATE, and not no darn dish.  Really?! Leave the bowls for the hot eats." Needless to say, I turned a little red in the face and booked it to my table before I made another cultural mistake. I also didn't make that same mistake the next morning out of fear the same loud lady would be there looking for me. Regardless of the embarrassment, that oatmeal was worth it.

Culture Shock?

I think I'm about to experience a bit of culture shock. Chapter 2 is all about culture: the language, the clothing, the traditions, the celebrations.  I know heading to New Orleans, I'm going to run into a different accent and dialect (semantic noise), I'll hear different music than I'm used to, and come Tuesday, I bet I'll see dress and costumes that I'm not used to, too.

I love traveling! I love experiencing new things, new cultures, and more than anything else, new foods! I'm sure I'll have all kinds of examples of Interpersonal Communication to share when I get back.