tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528525404661911466.post3442689115711728255..comments2023-09-13T10:28:07.116+01:00Comments on A Spy in Another Country: AwkwardLorraine Sealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01497806391999639680noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528525404661911466.post-90969541270727862512010-06-17T08:43:07.593+01:002010-06-17T08:43:07.593+01:00Thanks for your kind words, Christina. I'm gla...Thanks for your kind words, Christina. I'm glad to know I communicated the experience.<br /><br />It's funny, my husband has brought up religion in a lighthearted way in his workplace. Just a passing comment, twice. He got dead silence and then the subject was changed. It takes time to get the hang of things.Lorraine Sealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01497806391999639680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528525404661911466.post-11449234809496459732010-06-16T20:31:57.648+01:002010-06-16T20:31:57.648+01:00Culture clash live, very well written! As a reader...Culture clash live, very well written! As a reader I was pulling my own bag closer, withdrawing into that corner with you...<br /><br />I remember an occasion years back, when we had just moved to L.A. from the Czech Republic. One of the kids in the neighborhood was celebrating its fourth birthday, my daughter was invited. The children played in the sand box, we moms sat around the back yard table, talking about preschools, careers, diapers whatever. The conversation was lively, everyone seemed happy - until I brought up politics. Silence, followed by more silence...<br /><br />Funny thing is, what matters as I look back is something totally different: we were new to the 'hood but these neighbors invited us to their party. They reached out; I got to meet them and their crowd; one of the other guests eventually became my good friend. Reaching out is something Americans excel at. It is a skill you can be proud of - and one reason I look forward to returning to California.Christina Schweighoferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14846539519294733665noreply@blogger.com