Do's, Don'ts and Advice for Finding Your Life Mate Internationally

How Couples Overcome Cultural Differences

couples overcoming cultural differences
Interracial couples have their struggles but eventually get through their cultural differences. | Photo by sept commercial on Unsplash

It’s normal for two people who come from different backgrounds and walks of life to need to adapt to each other. Cultural differences, on the other hand, can be tricky and difficult to overcome for couples who come from opposite sides of the globe.

After the honeymoon period, interracial relationships have a tendency to fizzle out. This is largely due to cultural variations, which are often misinterpreted as personality characteristics that clash.

It’s completely understandable. We all come from different backgrounds and were raised with different values, making each of us unique and special. It’s already a beautiful blessing that we’ve all managed to come together amid such types of cultural differences. Since the other is from a foreign country and has different traditions than you, all we have to do is understand each other and not take it personally.

Remember To Treat One Another With Respect.

It’s much easier said than done. When a couple is passive-aggressive toward each other’s cultural lifestyle, certain interracial marriage problems occur. The whole point of seeking to overcome differences in culture is to respect the perspective of the other.

It may simply be a matter of cultural differences in communication. You might both communicate well in English, but since the other’s first language isn’t English, there could be misunderstandings if you misunderstood what they’re saying because the context is completely different.

Talking is beneficial. Come on, you’re a couple who’ll be married soon. If the two parties in this union really take up their slack, differences in culture will be less of an issue.

If you want to marry a girl from another country, you should first learn about each other’s culture. That way, you won’t be as surprised when she does or does anything unexpected. It’s also important not to get the cultures mixed up. You don’t want to confuse her oddities for those of Latin Americans, because she’s a Filipina.

Please Do Not Take Offense.

Unless, of course, they meant to offend.

It’s natural to criticize each other in a relationship as long as you don’t offend each other. Some discussions or even jokes may seem harmless to one person while being offensive to another. If your partner criticizes your culture, don’t take it personally, and don’t criticize theirs either.

If you react angrily, this is what will happen.

If you become enraged, your partner will almost certainly become defensive. This will result in a heated debate or conversation that will go nowhere. And, as much as relationships, interracial marriages or otherwise, require arguments to remain safe at times, it’s always best if we hold them at bay.

You should have a heartfelt talk with your partner if you can’t laugh it off and accept the criticism. You’ll be able to get to know each other better this way.

Make Sure You Know What You're Doing And Don't Make Any Assumptions

You and your partner were raised in separate ways. You can’t ask your partner to follow your lead only because you have a certain way of doing things. They can disagree with you because they were taught differently.

Recognize that cultural gaps aren’t insurmountable barriers. They’re one-of-a-kind challenges that will put your love for one another to the test.

You should make fun of each other and your various customs in a playful way. Most of the time, this helps to de-stress the situation. All can be sorted out as long as you two are on the same page and working on getting together in order to make the relationship work.

Another thing to consider is whether or not both of your friends and families will support your union right away. That isn’t always the case. Don’t expect them to be as supportive of your partner as you are. Just because you and your spouse have come to understand and enjoy each other’s differences in culture, or spent time learning each other’s languages, doesn’t mean that everybody would.

This may be another thing you and your wife would have to deal with as a couple. Recognize that this is a game-changer, and that instead of struggling to stay together, you must fight to stay together.

Love Needs Self-Sacrifice

Interracial partnerships necessitate a great deal of effort and self-sacrifice from the start in order to overcome any obstacles. The end result is always a partnership with a higher level of commitment. As long as you and your partner are focused on the key reason you’re together, the chances of your partnership lasting forever are good.

Patience is a virtue that many people lack.

Even if everyone on the planet is aware of their own limits, it can be difficult to adapt to new and different changes that arise while entering a relationship. The best piece of advice is to wait.

Being cooperative and allowing your partner time to adapt to the situation goes a long way. This is the point at which they embrace the improvements, and you are in the same boat. If you and your partner can’t get used to each other’s routines, it’s time to reconsider your choices.

Regardless of any differences in culture or other issues that might arise along the way, you should remain focused on your feelings for your lover. Some people give up halfway through because they believe it isn’t worth it if they are having trouble during the first few months.

You and your partner may have to contend with the language barrier, homesickness, sneers from family who don’t agree, and any major cultural differences that you will have to resolve. And in the years ahead, as you and your wife reflect on the challenges you both faced, you’ll know, when you put your arm around your partner, that it was all worth it.