5 ways to get their attention
Published in
2 min readFeb 8, 2019
- - Show interest on their culture. People migrating are no doubt about it, excited to start a new experience in this new often unknown world. They may be looking for something new, or scaping from something bad. Regardless of their motivation, an immigrant will always carry strong feelings about their native country. If you show interest on knowing their story, they will feel valued. I do like to share the great things I miss about my Mexico. I am more than willing to share my traditions, but also careful of not having people feeling like I want to impose those to them.
- Speak their languages. There’s no need to learn a new language, but it doesn’t cost you anything to learn how to say “Hi”, or “have a good day” in Spanish, French, German or any language.
- Try their food. Time to get the fun of it. Show interest on their food. One of the things migrants are more proud of is of their culinary culture. They’ll be more than happy to share with you some of their most popular foods they used to get back home.
- Get them to know you and your culture. Sure we are proud of sharing ours, but at the moment we are in a new country, in a new culture, eager to learn your ways. Show them what are the local traditions, what is your favorite restaurant, what fun places are around.
- Give them a few chances. Sometimes because of language, you don’t come along people as you’d like. Also sometimes people won’t perceive you or get your values and principles at the beginning. Takes some get used to to know how to “read” an immigrant’s mind. So don’t jump on judgements. Give them sometime to adjust to the new language, gestures etc.
