On appreciating cultures

We don't need to go too far to start realising that things are not always done the same way and not everyone thinks alike; sometimes you need to go no further than the next city or even neighbourhood.

As expats, we have crossed national borders for a long-term period at least once, and we know that living in a different country comes with a lot of cultural challenges. But also the opportunity to appreciate all of the differences - in rituals, greetings, art, even notions of personal space... and obviously: in language and not just due to translation issues.

So this time I just want you to reflect back on the different expressions you might have heard in the countries you have lived/worked in and how they would be used back in your other/home country. And enjoy it, laugh out loud if possible :D This can get quite funny!!

‍Here's an idiomatic expression that has many facets ;) and definitely one of my favourites:

• Original meaning: it's raining a lot.

• English: It's raining cats and dogs.

• Portuguese: It's raining in pitchers (Chove a cântaros)

• Lithuanian: It’s raining axes (Lyja kirviais)

• French: It’s raining like a pissing cow (Il pleut comme une vache qui pisse) or It’s raining ropes (Il pleut des cordes)

• Greek: It’s raining chair legs (Rixnei kareklopodara)

• Slovak: Tractors are falling (Padajú traktory)

• Dutch: It’s raining pipe stems (Het regent pijpenstelen)

Do you know of others?! Share it in the comments section and watch out for whatever is falling :)

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[First published in the "Seeds for Joy & Growth" newsletter on 18-08-2023.]