Lessons from a new culture

Preparing mentally for life in a new country with a culture much different from my own, I felt that I knew what to expect. I mean I read Foreign to Familiar (those from ILC, you know what I’m talking about) and had been lectured for two months on how to handle it all. And in some ways I was prepared. I understand that being “on time” is universally subjective to the individual and that long lines and poor customer service are just a way of life. But despite these seemingly fixable hindrances that when corrected would greatly increase efficiency, I saw a trait very much foreign to contemporary Americans and the West: patience.

A rash observer would miss the fact that in spite of what looks like a stressful disaster, everyone is content as can be. In fact, most seem happier waiting to get gas for hours than the family in the SUV in the states picking up fast food at the swiftest drive-thru in town. My supervisor Charles prefaced us on the first day we prepared to run errands by saying: “If you get one thing done on your list today count it a success”. Although we were able to get more than one task each day, I saw just how and why this maxim rings true. But as days went by I began to be amazed by people’s demeanor and attitude and how through their eyes, it really wasn’t that big of a deal.

The day we left to begin our voyage to the interior, pick-up time was 4:00 A.M., changed to 5:00 A.M. and we actually left around 6:00. When we got the port where we were going to pick-up a boat to ride upstream that day, the crew was slow loading the boat. As a result, the tide dropped and the boat was stuck on the shore. Consequently, we had to wait for the tide to rise and then waves came that made the water too choppy for ride. So the first night we spent grounded, sleeping under a tin roof with thirty hammocks strung up underneath. I thought someone might be upset about this but everyone was relaxed and chill. The biggest surprise to me was how there was never a demand for entertainment or amusement. Americans, especially younger ones would be squirming, whining, complaining about nothing to do. And you know what? There was nothing to do and that was okay. The next day our boat had about twelve passengers and we sat on a dreadfully uncomfortable 2x4 plank for twelve hours in the hot sun and I didn’t hear one grievance.

After a few more days in Ditabikki I was most impressed with the children’s behavior. For instance, our tutor Ba’Jepin’s eleven year old son Melvin accompanied him as he gave Taylor and I a language lesson for two-straight hours. Melvin sat patiently, listened, and didn’t even give his dad a tug to protest his being a spectator for most the night. Throughout my time in Suriname (and especially in the interior) I’ve seen a level of patience that pervades the culture. I have begun to learn how refreshing this is. I’ve even begun to appreciate that the subjective on-time concept can be a two-way street

Undoubtedly, I value my culture and I believe promptness has more benefits than detriments, but I’ve had a new appreciation for a “hot climate culture” and I think we in the U.S. could benefit immensely in the realm of health, family, and even our relationship with the Lord if we heeded some of these principles. Sometimes we can be preoccupied and overbooked and in reality get nothing done because we miss what often really matters our relationship with God and other people. There’s a reason the Lord said: “be still and know that I am God”.