On Being a Cultural Chameleon

I'm glad I'm Canadian. It's given me the chance to be open about culture and religion, and I think it's had a very profound effect on me. I truly consider myself to be a global girl, a cultural chameleon, and apparently, others have noticed this about me as well. I've had several occasions that have made me smile for precisely this reason.

The very first was a European woman who I served when I was working at the Bay. I was one of the only people on the floor who spoke French, so I was called over to another department to help her. The woman inquired about my accent (I have a peculiar accent when I speak French), asking if I was Portugese. When I said I wasn't, she remarked that I looked like I could be Portugese...Or Greek. Maybe French. Actually, she concluded, I could probably go anywhere in Europe and be able to pass for a native. I know that looks aren't everything, but I was certainly treated nicely by waiters/tresses in France, when I could actually see other tourists getting cold shoulders, ha ha ha!

Then I went to Scotland, and was told by one of my hosts that I could pick my way through bogs as if I was raised in the Highlands.

I've also been told by a few of my Caribbean students that I dance like a black woman. Apparently, white girls aren't supposed to be able to move their hips when dancing to Bob Marley, ha ha ha!

Another student told me that in my driver's license picture, I look like an Arabian princess, and would be able to pass as a very fair Middle Eastern woman if I darkened my eyebrows a bit!

But my favourite moment by far, was when I was in Korea at the temple attending a Buddhist ceremony in my traditional Korean dress. After the ceremony, I was approached by a friend of mine who was one of the temple administrators. On her arm was an little old Korean man who looked to be about 100 years old. He spoke to me and my friend translated. He said that he noticed me from where he was sitting (I kinda stuck out, ha ha ha) and that my posture and the way I made my bows were like to those of well-bred Korean aristocrat. So much so that he felt the need to tell me.

On top of all this, there's the fact that I have a knack for mimicking language sounds, so I'm often able to sound like a native speaker even if I only know a few words and sentences.

I know that this all sounds a little immodest, but that's not my intention. This is just something that's been on my mind for a few years now. I can't ever remember having any real culture shock when traveling or living abroad, and I've always wondered why. Perhaps this is why!

So, by virtue of a assembly of lucky genes and an eager and open mind, I seem to have put myself in a place that makes me well-suited for travel. Is it a sign? I sure hope so!!!