When discussing process we talked more about cultural differences – how the cultural orientation of staff working at the Games can affect how the work gets done, as an example.  When discussing outcome, we talked more about cultural connection – how bringing people together creates a spirit of commonality that speaks to the essence of the event.  While those conversation threads can seem almost contradictory when viewed separately, together they represent the larger whole that intercultural communication looks to embody.

That discussion led me to think about Multiculturalism at 40 and what I am asking people to do: write about a personal experience observing cultural difference in their everyday lives.  It’s not a topic that rests comfortably with everyone. I know in speaking about the project, I’ve occasionally had the feeling that multiculturalism in Canada is on that list of topics that people feel they “shouldn’t” talk about. I also admit I’ve had moments when the notion of focusing on differences has made me feel uncomfortable.  What makes us nervous?

If I go back to the evening with Sietar BC, there is something in the duality of that conversation that is important to realize.  We know that an awareness and openness to different ways of seeing, and being in the world is one way to foster greater connection.  Perhaps in our everyday lives, иако, we fear that the process of discussing differences won’t be perceived as supporting an outcome of greater understanding – or will become disconnected from it.  If we can find more ways to keep  the discussion process and that intended outcome framed together perhaps we’ll grow more confident about the conversation as a whole.  And from the stories submitted to this project so far I can see there is such a range of human experience to be explored that is variously thoughtful, startling, joyful, challenging, amusing and inspiring.

Вториот ми го привлече вниманието, бидејќи знам дека се бара тоа прашање често доаѓа со заклучок дека сте некако успеа да се појавуваат како иако сте од “тука.” Објаснувајќи себе може да остарам прилично брзо, особено ако имате смисла сте секогаш се издвои за прашањето. Без тоа дополнителни товарни иако, тоа е прашање што мислам дека често се користи на ист начин како и разговор за времето. Тоа е начин да се направи конекција. Како нација на патници и луѓе “од-далеку,” повеќето од нас се од друго место, дури и ако тоа е само другата страна на провинција или територија, or the other end of the country.

Јас нудат оваа мала опсервација на сите оние кои се поставува прашањето почесто отколку што треба. Во некој чуден начин, можеби тоа е знак за вклучување. Сте биле праша вториот најчест канадски прашање. A complaint about the weather can’t be far behind.