One important thing I have truly learned since moving to Thailand is that it is wrong to compare what I've learned in my culture and ethnicity to what is done in Thailand, as if my cultural practices are superior. For example, I was taught growing up to never eat with my mouth open because it is considered rude and disorderly. In Thailand, though, this is not the case. Individuals often eat with their mouths open and make loud chewing sounds when eating their food. At first, I internalized this as something bad and wrong because I was always taught that this way of eating was frowned upon. Since moving here, I have had cultural learning experiences and realized that it is not my place to make comments like that. I realized that this way of eating isn't wrong or bad just because in American culture it's considered wrong. This way of eating is a part of the culture here, just like chewing with our mouths closed is a part of American culture. Even though this is a very minuscule difference, it is something I've observed and I believe this is a good example of how really immersing yourself in another culture involves letting down your preconceived notions, judgments and comparisons. It requires remaining objective and taking in everything you don't understand as a learning experience.
