Diversity and Transparency

When I began to write this blog, it was just for me.  For me (and my bestie, who follows all of my blogs, s'up girl!) to remember what time was like in the different stages of my host mom experience. I mean I realize by nature this is not a diary, but with my mom, husband and host family out of the picture, I could be as candid as I wanted.  (My husband rarely reads my blogs). (UPDATE: he read this one...)

But then the kid asked to read it.

And then he wanted to send it to his best friend.  And his mother. (Shout out to Finn's bestie!  He does not tell me your name.  Only your title... and some of your secrets. Shout out to Finn's mom! Whose name is Babsi and we are pretty tight.)

At first I was sorry.  How can I be completely honest when Finn AND his friends AND his mother are reading my blog!

And then I realized it was Finn who would be sorry.  I am practicing transparency.  Honesty.  Pellucidity.  I will not hold back just because I may never be allowed to host another child in my house again! I am a risk-taker.

He punishes me by reading my blog in front of me and then sitting in judgment.

Let us switch gears.

A wise woman once told me that diversity is more about finding similarities in cultures than finding differences.  We are so focused on finding out how people are different, when the true value is finding out what is the same.  It's like that quote from Twitter: what binds us is stronger than what divides us.

So I have been trying to get to know my host kid's culture so I can find similarities.  But he says nothing is the same.  That is a direct quote:

Me: so what kinds of things are the same

Host Son: Nothing is the same...

Great. So to get to know things, we ask questions.  He ask questions like: Are you allowed to pass on the right? Are you allowed to text and drive? Why is the rate of teen pregnancy so high in the States?

So... yeah.  That talk has been... had.

I ask things like, "Do you want to walk?! What DO you eat?! Why don't you take naps?"

I still have not found what things are similar.  I know McDonald's is better in Germany, and so is pizza.  And that Taco Bell is awesome (Shout out to Jan! Finn's bro).

I will continue to badger--er, I mean question him to find out how things are similar.  He talks A LOT more now than when we first got him, so I think maybe I can learn more about similarities in our culture.

We also had a fantastic discussion about WWII and how schools in Germany teach that section of History.  Also Finn's grandfather (who is still alive) fought in the war. But I am keeping that conversation to myself, because I am not ready to share.

Have a fantastic night, reader.  Or morning if you are in Germany.  Or that one person is France who reads my blog.  Shout out to France!

Hutch out.