Communication Gap

An awkward conversation between me and my manager.

Me: I am planning on visiting my brother during holidays.
Manager: Oh, where does he live?
Me: Ohio.
Manager: Is he your real brother?

I am confused 'what does she mean real brother?'. My manager notices the confused look and says,

Manager: Do you share at least one parent?

More confusion and slightly offended.

Me: We share both the parents!

Manager: Oh OK.

Conversation ends awkwardly and we both get back to work. Later I talk to my roommate and she enlightens me about terms I dint know before half brother and step brother.

I look back and laugh at this. Our cultural differences made the conversation so confusing. Watch this guy talk about his experiences, they are much funnier :)

Do you have any such experiences? Do share I would love to know.

Smile and say Hello!

The first lesson I learned after coming here. Smile and say hello to everyone you make eye contact with. What a difference it makes to the other person and you!

If you are ever in India and find that people just look at you and look away or continue staring, don't think they are rude. May be some of them are rude or just creepy and we don't mind being rude to others. But mostly, we only say hello to people we know. Also, smile is a way of telling you are interested in/attracted to the other person. So, we don't want to get in trouble :).

Anyway, I sure did learn to smile and greet. It makes me feel good and happy. It makes me feel like I am living in a friendly environment. I like not having a straight face and looking grumpy all the time. So, smile!