In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been thinking about the description of hot/cold or warm/cool to describe a person. How do we define these terms? Why would we? This came up again yesterday when someone mentioned that when he met Australians for the first time in a group, he was taken back by how ‘warm’ they are, especially when compared to the British (he’s English) and he went on to descibe English as a bit cold, among other things. Now I think when he used those words, he was referring to the friendliness of Austrialians as compared to the British. The British has a stereotype of being snobby and stand-off-fish and that’s probably where the ‘coldness’ comes into the picture.
Well, from my experiences the last few months in Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltics, I have to say that there may be a grain of truth to that form of description. Europeans in general seem to be more reserved, less personable/outgoing. This is in contrast to Australians and New Zelanders, Canadians and Americans. If is something to do with the culture? The history? Other people’s preception of us?
Someone, who is Finnish, I met mentioned to me after I hugged her that she thought Asians don’t like to hug or shows of affection. I was taken back and had to think. I admit, my family weren’t and still aren’t big on showing affection, but I’m working on them. Maybe it’s just me that like to hug and touch and stuff, and if so, is that a result of me genetically or as a result of living in a North American culture as opposed to an Asian one? I know we’ve heard of passionate Italians or Spaniards so not ALL Europeans are ‘cool’ or ‘cold’. Maybe it’s all personal and up to the individuals but there is definitely some sort of effect from the environment that one is brought up in, be it cultural or societal or family traditions.
After careful considerations, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am who I am, regardless of where I grew up, and I will continue to be who I am (or at least who I think I am) where ever I go. Looking forward to finding out what is the next chapter as I continue on my journey of self discovery.