Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Whistling & Off to Italy

Comune di Roma
Image via Wikipedia


Hi Everyone,
We've been having some adventures with culture the past few days, that's for sure! Jiri and I have been discussing the whistling/not whistling issue off and on. Obviously whistling isn't so much of an issue--I've been here for 2.5 years and Jiri has not heard me whistle in that time, until just the other day. Whistling is something I enjoy, but will probably do it when no one is around, no one can hear me or see me...and when I'm back in the States I'll definitely use those opportunities to get in any whistling that I feel the need or wish to do! 


The main issue, for me, is trying to adapt to European/Czech culture without feeling repressed. There is a fine line there that is hard to discern between feeling repressed and adapting happily. The only way to discern being off balance seems to be what we call, in the US, "listening to your gut." 

Your "gut" will definitely let you know with feelings of unhappiness, depression, and other signs that you are feeling unhappy and maybe repressed. If you're beginning to feel repressed it is a sign of being out of balance and of things not working; then it's time to discuss some solutions and options with your partner/spouse. There needs to be a mutuality involved in the process of adaptation of a foreign spouse into the home country/culture of the "native" spouse/partner. You should be able to compromise and find a solution that lets you both feel comfortable and happy.

Europeans/Czechs frown on women whistling, especially in public. It means the woman is somehow rough, loose in morals, lewd, etc. This is how Jiri feels about a woman whistling, too. Therefore, I must refrain from this pass time in this culture. I can't wear lace or whistle, however I can stand outside nude on a hot day...go figure! 


Americans don't understand these things very well...and I'm one of them, as open-minded as I try to be! Even though I don't understand, I feel the need to refrain from these activities in order to have a happy relation with my husband and those around us. I'm living here...married to a "native"...and need to comply with certain things in order to maintain regular relations with everyone, including my husband. This is what I understand, and I'm willing to do, until I begin to feel repressed. Fortunately, I'm not feeling repressed at this time!

On to another topic...later today Jiri and I are leaving for the Eternal City--Rome! Neither of us has been to Rome before and we're both looking forward to seeing this beautiful city where so much history has taken place. There will be so much to see there...and this is a short trip...I'm hoping that we will manage the Vatican and other very historical places!

Well, that's all for today...I need to finish packing and prepapring for the trip! You all have a great day! I'm hoping to have Internet while in Rome (of course it's there, but if the hotel charges too much we might not have it), and if we do, I'll be dropping Entrecards as usual. If not, then I'll take up dropping when we get home this weekend. Thanks for stopping by...you all have a great day!

God bless,
Sher :0)

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10 comments:

Eso said...

It seems your Jiri is very conservative (and/or from village?).

I would have no problems with whistling or lace.

Karen said...

This shows us Disney is not all powerful if Snow White whistling while she worked didn't soften this. Or maybe Czecho didn't get Disney movies back then. Or, more likely, they did and didn't care. :-)

Have a blast in Rome and have some pizza and caprese salad for me!

Ivanhoe said...

Hope you are having a wonderful time in Rome! I'll be there in October and cannot wait ;o)

To the opression: I think I know what you mean. Even though for me it was the other way around: Coming from post-communistic country to a free country - America. It took me a while to get used to be able to do and say whatever I wanted. I'm still learning 12 years later :o) I guess what I'm trying to say is let me know if you have any questions or if you just want to exchange e-mails. I would like to help if I could :o)

Unknown said...

Have a great time at Italy, Sher!

... and if you have time, you can stop by my blog to claim the Award I've given you!

Regards :)

Sher said...

Hi Eso,
Yes...you're right...my Jiri is pretty conservative and/or from a small village. He's highly educated, but is of the older generation (40+), so I'm wondering if this might also have some bearing on his and others' ideas of what is considered to be proper behavior!

It's great to hear you have no problems with lace or whistling!!

Have a great day,
Sher :0)

Sher said...

Hi Karen,
You're probably right! Czechs have their own fairy tales and ideas...so just didn't appreciate Disney so much!

We had a great time in Rome, thanks...though I was tortured with the smells of pizzerias everywhere--even outside of the tourist areas--they are on every corner!! At least I was able to enjoy the scents coming from those places!!!

Have a great day,
Sher :0)

Sher said...

Hi Ivanhoe,
Thanks--I would like to take you up on your offer to exchange emails!

I can only imagine how it must have been for you to move to the US! One thing I've learned, and that is it takes time to become full at ease in a new place-be that a new neighborhood, city/state/country. I've only been here 2.5 years...that's really the very beginning, yet! So, I have a lot to learn and appreciate help/guidance/advice to help navigate this Czech environment! :0)

Have a great day,
Sher :0)

Sher said...

Hi Czaroma,
Thanks...we did have a great time in Rome!

And thanks for the awards--that's really sweet of you!!. I will stop by and pick them up after the dust has settled from unpacking and getting caught up with things! That's really sweet of you!!

Have a great day,
Sher :0)

Roz said...

Hi Sher

It sounds like you had a fabulous time in Rome - it is a wonderful city. I'm looking forward to seeing the photos and hearing all about your visit.

Sorry I haven't visited regularly recently. I've had difficulties loading your blog and others with Internet Explorer, so now I've changed to Firefox and I've had no problems so far. I've also had a lot of freelance work on (with daily deadlines!) so, sadly, I've not had much time to spend in the blogosphere!

Hope that you've got the unpacking done (I hate unpacking too!)

Best wishes,

Roz

Sher said...

Hi Roz,
It's great to "see" you! I have been worried something was wrong--when I visited your blogs and saw no new posts it really worried me! I'm happy and relieved to hear you've been so busy with freelance work--that's wonderful and congrats!!!

Yes, we had a great time in Rome. Today I'm finally getting to the first post! We've been having technical problems with the computer and then the Internet's been sporadically off and on...UGH!

The unpacking is finally done, but now we will start with packing up our flat to move! It's a very busy summer for you and us, too!

Have a great day,
Sher :0)