It’s wonderful when someone hopes to share part of their tradition, heritage or culture with us, especially if it’s something you’re not familiar with already. But with new ground like that comes the desire to experience it right, and that might cause you a little anxiety. There’s nothing to worry about of course.
In this post, we hope to make that much more clear:
Ask About the Traditions
If you’re invited to a cultural event, the best thing you can do is ask your friend about it. They’ll probably be happy to share, and it shows you care about the meaning behind the celebration. Some events might have specific customs, like fasting beforehand or bringing a particular type of gift depending on where you’re going and who you’re seeing. If you’re unsure, just ask. It’s always better to learn from someone directly rather than guessing. This gives you a little time to put yourself together, and understanding the traditions makes the experience more meaningful for you, too.
Dress With Respect
Clothing can be an important part of cultural celebrations, and some events have traditional attire. Your friend might wear something special, like a sari for Diwali or Eid clothes for Eid. If you’re invited to dress within that style, go for it! It’s a great way to show appreciation, but it’s also okay if you don’t have the right outfit, as just dressing respectfully is enough. Avoid anything too casual unless your friend says otherwise, as it’s nice to show you’ve made an effort, as always.
Participate in the Celebration
The best way to celebrate is by joining in. The great part is that unless you have very serious friends, there’s a great deal of fun to be found here. It might be a festival, religious gathering, or family event, but either way, being present might be hte most fun you’ve had in a while. Try the food, listen to the music, and if there’s dancing, don’t be afraid to join in after watching for a little while, you don’t have to perfect it. Even if you don’t know all the customs, showing enthusiasm and asking questions is going to be received warmly. Most people will appreciate your effort, even if you don’t get everything exactly right.
Benefit Yourself With An Open-Mind
The truth is that cultural celebrations can introduce you to things you haven’t tried before, such as foods, traditions or beliefs. Stay open to it all, as no one is expecting you to convert to a religion or adopt everything just because you attended. But you may learn a fair amount and bust through any misconceptions you had, which is a pretty great thing.
With this advice, you’re sure to celebrate friend’s cultural event in the best way. You can catch up with them after and ask how they felt about it, how often that happens, how it might deviate from the most traditional celebrations, and even more. You may have just made a friend for life if you warmly open your arms to something they deem important!