Culture

So I decided to write to you all about culture differences of Americans and Georgians (Any PCVs or Georgians reading this, let me know if something is inaccurate or you have something to add). Time: Meetings times in America mean the exact time. If the meeting begins at 11:00am, you better be there at 11:00am. In Georgia, time is flexible. Students aren't punished for being a minute or two late. When the bell rings in a Georgian school, that doesn't mean that the door closes and class begins. It means "Make your way to the classroom, the lesson is about to begin." The pace is slower here. I like it. Space: Americans have a personal bubble. We don't like people getting too close, especially those we don't know. Not so in Georgia. Even when meeting new people, it is customary to kiss one another (males and females) on the cheek. Sometimes just touching cheeks and making the kissing sound is acceptable. When you are at the ATM in America, no one will stand so close to you as to be able to see the screen. In America, it would be seen as a privacy violation. Not so in Georgia. People will stand directly behind and to the side of you, looking at your screen, waiting for you to finish your business. Georgians are trustworthy people so they don't think others are trying to steal their information. Privacy: Georgians do not feel that many things Americans view as private should be private. Though my host family does not do this, others have been known to just walk in Volunteers' rooms without knocking. Georgians will ask personal questions such as how much money you or your family makes (Sorry Mom, some lady in Bokhvauri knows your salary), if you're married (and why not), general questions about your family, and why don't you like a certain type of food, or if you like Georgia or its President (the latter question we avoid answering). These are routine questions I have just become used to. Dating: In traditional homes, the homes are multi-generational with the mother moving in with her in-laws. Typically it's a Grandpa, Grandma, the son, his wife, and their kids. Dating is nearly non-existent. If you are in a relationship with a man or woman, it is expected that you will then marry that person and if you are a woman, move in with your husband's family. There is not much time between first becoming "sweethearts" and marriage. Premarital relations are forbidden and the future husband and wife do not spend much time alone. Therefore, unmarried men and women should not be in the same room together alone. So, many men and women who are friends will also not stay the night at each others' houses. Gender Division of Labor: There is a strong gender division of labor in Georgia. Men are expected to do "traditionally masculine labor" and women do household work such as cooking, cleaning, and attending to the children. Because of current economic conditions, many women hold down jobs inside and outside the home. Unlike many Americans, Georgians live in their homes for generations. The houses have rooms added on to them. They own their homes outright, not having to worry about mortgages. This culture is very interesting and I learn more and more each day. Hopefully I can add to this post as time continues.

Time

It doesn't exist right now. I barely remember the day. Everything blurs together. My counterpart is out of town until the 15th. Summer camp isn't until the first part of September. School doesn't begin until September 17th, so my days consist a lot of reading, phone conversing, and Internetting. Some days seem to drag on, others seem to fly by. I am just now waiting...and waiting...and waiting.