In class we read about a women who was raised in Copenhagen, Denmark who brings her child to New York with her husband. They were arrested for leaving the baby outside this restaurant unattended while they ate inside. They did this because it is a very common thing in Denmark due to the smokey insides of restaurants. In their eyes, they were simply doing what they felt was normal. While the class was arguing about whether or not this was actually wrong, I was having conflicting view points in my head. My parents having grown up in South Africa and moving here a few years before I was born, my home life is far from the average Americans. When friends come over, they are often confused at things my parents and I do or things we have in our house. I've been visiting South Africa every year since I was six months to visit family so I know where my parents come from. Whenever we go there, we fit right in. In America, we seem to be the odd ones out. When we read this story, it reminded me of my family. My parents over the years have adapted to American social norms but it has taken time. I can definitely see my parents leaving me outside of a restaurant if that had been a normal thing to do in Africa. My parents are just people that like to bring their traditions to new places instead of trying to fit in. I don't know if that is what I would do, but it is what I am exposed to.
I think it all comes down to our perspectives. Someone may look at a baby my himself outside of a restaurant and be alarmed while some one else might not even think twice about it. Similarly, this women who was arrested probably found many weird things in New York hat she would have looked down upon if it were in Denmark. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to adjust to a new place. Whether it is by bringing your own traditions or by changing your lifestyle to fit a new place, as long as you are happy and safe, I don't think it really matters.
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