3 Things to Think About in Cross Cultural Relationships

There are many people who go out with someone outside of their culture. This is really a good thing as people get to know different cultures and background and understand them better. However when the relationships become more serious, you have to ask yourself if you could live with this person for the rest of your life. Here are some things you need to be aware to avoid troubles in future.

1. Language --- If someone you really like speaks different language, that is not a big problem as long as both of you can communicate in one language, but is it? The language problem happens more when you are with your partner's family and relatives. It happens in some cultures that their older relatives (mother, aunts, uncles and so on) only speak their own language. When you are with them, they can't communicate with you, but not only that, your partner might join them by talking in their language leaving you alone perplexed and bored. If you don't want to learn their language, it is not your problem. It is not the family's problem that they don't speak your language, but can you tolerate once in a while gathering with these people? Can your partner pay a bit more attentions to your needs?
2. Religion --- Religious problem happens not only among cross cultural relationships but anyone with two different religious beliefs.  If both of you don't have very strong beliefs, that is good, but if at least one of you have a strong religious belief and follow traditions, will there be any problems in future? Sometimes one who doesn't have strong religious belief changes one's religion to follow his partner's, but this often doesn't work out so well. After all, religion is not related to who your partner is but it has to come from your mind to believe the philosophy. 
3. Food --- Food is a very important part of people's life. If you marry to someone, you will be eating many meals together for the rest of your lives. If your tastes are too different, how can you survive? Is there anything that both of you like and you can get away by eating them for the most of the time? This is actually a very important topic. Think about this very carefully.

Image by Qole Pejorian on flickr