Important visitors
I never thought that the day my parents would come to visit me in my first house would be such a big deal. Of course, I never realised that the house would be in Germany, or that it would be the first time my parents actually saw how Tim and I live. The last time they came to visit our apartment in Leiden (Holland), they didn’t really get a good idea of our lifestyle since everything was in boxes! … when they originally booked that visit I hadn’t the faintest idea we would be moving that week.. to Germany.. This time they’re playing it safe; they booked the flight at the last minute, so there’s not a very big chance that we would be out of this house before they arrive! Particularly since we bought this one ;)
Besides playing personal travel agent, I’m also working with Tim to think up things we want to do, eat, show, and share during their visit. This is the last time I’ll see them until Christmas, and the last time they’ll be here for a few years - so no pressure, but of course it would be great if the weather is nice and everything goes well with the travel and preparations.
Of course, I was already pretty different from my parents in some ways when I lived in America, and living in Europe for the last 5 years has only served to create more lifestyle/culture differences. Luckily my parents are getting to be regular “experienced” American tourists :P but still, some consideration for them is in order. For instance, the meal Tim and I ate tonight was very nice, and I decided I think they would like it, but it is not what they would make for themselves. And of course there’s the most-mentioned culture gap related to planning and relaxation: Tim and I tend to do everything later, less planned, and less busily than Mom and Dad. We’ll just have to wait and see whose style prevails during the visit!
If you were in my shoes, what would you think/do/worry about?
on April 12th, 2007 at 19:06
I’d just be natural. Obviously, give the house a sprucing up and a clean the day before they arrive and plan some things to do with their time, but other than that, just act as you would and be a good host.
They’d only think you had something to hide if you acted strange.
On that whole cultural thing, no offence, but i really dont like the attitudes of Americans i’ve met on tourism; they think the US is the world, and when they do get out, they just whinge at how different it is, like, where’s my mega gulps man. Erm, not every country is as fat and greedy as yours y’know!
Rant over :)
on April 13th, 2007 at 19:21
‘If you were in my shoes, what would you think/do/worry about?’
First of all, I’d worry about the fact that my feet hurt. Second of all, I’d worry about the fact that I moved from Holland to Germany :)
‘Tim and I tend to do everything later, less planned’
*cough* schedule *cough*
Sorry, couldn’t resist… :D
on April 13th, 2007 at 19:26
I don’t agree with the above commenter on either point. These aren’t just ordinary visitors; they deserve the special treatment! I’d look into taking them somewhere fancy, since they won’t be back for quite a while.
Further, although everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I can’t see your mother demanding a “mega gulp.” As easily as people can be stereotyped, cultural norms (for example, the act of complaining about something or comparing things often acts as a unifying force or an icebreaker in the U.S.)– can also easily be misunderstood and misread.
Just my two cents. [or .0147799 Euros]
on April 16th, 2007 at 15:10
Oooh, breaking out the cultural norms lingo - G. Nice one. Sorry, I’m up to my ears in studying social norms right now. Darn people. =)
Cheryl, my parents just made the trek to visit us here in the BIG T. While it is in fact NOT another country, although natives would say otherwise, to my parents who live in small town/farm community, the big city/Texas way of life is very different from home. So at least a little bit, I had a similar experience. I don’t know about your parents, but mine were mostly interested in seeing/doing things that the hubby and I do normally. My dad hadn’t been to Texas since 2003 when they drove me down here and dropped me off, and he had never seen the house. We spent a lot of time eating at our favorite places - all the great local joints. I had way too much work pop up while they were here, so they spent one day driving around and checking out some touristy things. Mostly they just wanted to hang out with us and see what normal life was like down here. I think so they could picture things when I told them how we were doing. =) Now, since Europe is a BIT harder to visit than Texas, I might suggest some sightseeing, but YOU live there, so I really have no idea. Just keep an eye out for things you want to show US when WE come and visit! Not all of us want Mega gulps, some of us want Frosty’s. ;) Seriously though, if I flew all the way over there and ended up eating American Franchise food, guh. Not a chance.
on April 18th, 2007 at 18:20
Karyn is right. When we are with you, we want to relax with you, play Pinochle, try out the WII. Also we want to see where you work, shop, etc. That way when we think of you we will see you in context instead of in space. I promise not to ask for “mega gulps”.