cultural differences

Using Cultural Differences to Come Together, Guest Post by Shana Medah

by Shana Medah September 15, 2010
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We think of cultural differences as the things that separate us and view cultural differences as obstacles we must overcome – and indeed, they do often present themselves in the form of a problem that must be solved. However, the problem-solving process also gives us an opportunity to know each other (and ourselves) better. When […]

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Cultural Exchange: Let’s ramp up our learning

by cv harquail August 20, 2010
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The world of au pairing makes some pretty big promises. Au Pairs are promised a year of hard work and adventure, the chance to live in the USofA, and the opportunity to learn first hand about American culture. Families are promised an energetic adventurous young adult who will partly assimilate into their families and partly […]

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Is it Cultural, Generational, or just Me?

by cv harquail August 19, 2010
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When I notice au pairs doing things differently from the way(s) that I’d do them, it’s often unclear to me here the difference comes from. Where the difference comes from matters to me, because it guides the way that I respond to the difference. If I think it’s a question of knowledge or experience, I’ll […]

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What counts as “cultural exchange”?

by cv harquail August 3, 2010
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Host Mom KMW writes with this thoughtful question: Most families seem to include the cultural aspect of having an au pair as an important reason for going the au pair route. I have been thinking a lot about the pluses and minuses of Au Pairs vs. a US based nanny… and I’m wondering how much […]

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Swimming, Personal Choices and Cultural Norms

by cv harquail July 5, 2010
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A request for advice from “Everybody In The Pool” — Dear Au Pair Mom readers, An issue has arisen with our new au pair (arrived 2 weeks ago) – and it’s not one I anticipated. I’m hoping AuPairMom readers have some thoughts and insights… It’s a cultural issue and also a personal issue. It is […]

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Choosing an Au Pair: How much does the home country matter?

by cv harquail April 29, 2010
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Host parents are often asked why they’ve chosen an au pair from a particular country, and whether an au pair’s home country matters. How do you answer that question, without sounding like you’re stereotyping too much? When it comes to having preferences for countries, we feel very comfortable prioritizing home countries based on language— if […]

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My Au Pair Dresses Like a Tramp. Help!

by cv harquail April 27, 2010
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Au Pairs and their appearance– another dicey topic. We don’t like to think that an au pair’s physical appearance affects how we (or others) respond to her, but the ugly truth is– appearances are influential. When we (American) host parents react to an au pair’s appearance, we’re invoking preferences, expectations and interpretations based partly in […]

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Choosing an Au Pair: Religion as an Au Pair selection criterion

by cv harquail July 28, 2009
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I’m A Believer. I believe that religion is something you should seriously consider when selecting an au pair. In my family’s experience, religion has been an important selection criterion — and also the source of some interesting relationship problems. Our experience Our family is of mixed religious traditions: I’m a christian with a lower case […]

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Advice Wanted: German Culture insight?

by cv harquail May 5, 2009
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Host parents, here’s an awkward question; read it and you’ll see why. "I am in serious consideration of making a match with an au pair from Germany and have a question to ask you or your readers. When we were discussing her arrival dates, she mentioned she did not want to depart from Germany during […]

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Tip: Save those Ice Skates!

by cv harquail January 18, 2009
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At the park across the street, the pond has frozen. (This is actually what it looks like!) Every time the pond freezes, I congratulate myself for saving my old ice skates. About five years ago, when my little ones were taking skating lessons , I bought myself skates that actually fit me so that I […]

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