
On one hand, the friendliness was a pleasant change from all the straight-faced Swiss. But on the other hand, it was kind of disturbing. It took 4+ years of living abroad, but I can finally understand why the Swiss thought I had mental issues when I used to exude enthusiasm over anything—even work.
Which naturally leads me to writing. This experience, learning to see things from a different perspective, is great for writers. I am now seeing the United States through the eyes of a European. That’s priceless. Unlike a new arrival or vacationer, I no longer gape at the Swiss when they ignore my smile, I go back to my country and stare at my smiling fellow citizens instead.
And then I grin. Because every writer should be so fortunate to see themselves this clearly.
Maybe that’s why research at INSEAD demonstrated that going abroad enhances creative thinking. Living in Switzerland has definitely made me a more creative person–at least I know I've become more empathetic to other cultures and ways of living. What is your experience with creativity and going abroad?
We're discussing this very thing over at Pond Parleys (http://pondparleys.blogspot.com)
ReplyDeleteYour remarks are great and so true!
Living abroad has helped me understand myself better, and now I can use those experiences, emotions, reactions and attitudes I never had to bring out when I was comfy-cozy in the States to enrich my writing.
ReplyDeleteThat, and the German language is infinitely amusing.
I had so much more to write about. I blogged a ton my first year abroad because everything was so different and novel. I jotted down kids' lit. ideas and wrote poems. POEMS. Now that I'm back, it took me almost 6 months to blog again. ho hum.
ReplyDeleteI also find I'm much more prolific abroad. I wonder what would happen if I moved back, if I'd be able to sustain the creativity. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
ReplyDeleteI wish more of my fellow Americans would spend more time abroad. It's made me both more aware of what "american-ness" is and made me quite fond of it. It's not a matter of who is right, but rather what makes each culture unique. My best friend's daughter married a Frenchman who adores coming out to rural WV while we're all clamoring for him to take us around Paris. Vive le difference! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Great post! Strangely, I am writing more now that I've repatriated than I did during my many years of living abroad, first in the UK, then in Japan...and have started up a blog, Seen the Elephant, to give myself a space for this.
ReplyDeleteIn one of my cornerstone posts, describing people who've seen the elephant (aka long-term expats), I speculated that many of us American expats were misfits in our native land, never having been one of those "bright outgoing happy shiny" people.
So, do you think you have actually changed, or has Europe brought out what was there all along? Just curious...
As always, I enjoy your posts Chantal. Question: Are you planning another Zurich Writers Workshop anytime in 2011? I couldn't make it last time, but I would really like to do it a second time around (if there is going to be one).
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Diana
Thanks all, for the thoughtful comments. I too wish more Americans had the opportunity or desire to go abroad. And ML, I definitely think living abroad has enhanced my creativity, but I've definitely changed a lot as a person too--I no longer think "where are you from?" is a straightforward question, for one.
ReplyDeleteDiana yes, another workshop is in the works for 2011. When I have the details they will be announced on this blog and also if you sign up for the mailing list of the Zurich Writers Workshop, which you can find at www.zurichwritersworkshop.com.
I am a British ex-pat and author and have lived in USA for ten years - and I don't know why the Americans are so cheerful but I suppose I am greatful for it. No one whinges quite like the Brits do and it is a refreshing change!
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely worse things than cheerfulness. While I was visiting home I did feel happier since people smiled a lot more than I have gotten used to. My only issue is that sometimes it feels a bit fake. So much optimism can also allow for problems to go unanswered until they become catastrophic.
ReplyDelete@Emma K
ReplyDeleteYou make a very good point about American cheerfulness. No one whinges quite like the English... I found that out firsthand after a decade of living there. In that sense, I was relieved to get back to my native land, where it's not uncommon, even in NYC, to have pleasant everyday interactions with strangers. (That said, I sometimes miss having a good moan about the weather...)
What's more disturbing to me, though, is the nature of conversations with Americans whom you allegedly know quite well. They often don't want to talk about the things Chantal mentions in her first paragraph: unemployment, foreclosures and, I would add, the ready availability of handguns... These topics are considered taboo among many people, and you get in the habit of not mentioning them.
By contrast, my friends and associates in the UK weren't afraid to engage on the issues of the day, and I guess it might be similar in France and other European countries. Which for me is a key reason why I found, still find, life in Europe so stimulating.
Chantal, I'm so glad I found your blog! Surviving and thriving in multiple realities is something I'm constantly perfecting and it's fun to know that some people are already rocking at it!
ReplyDeleteAnna @ size6after30.wordpress.com
You're completely right. I'm an American balancing between America and Denmark and for the longest time I couldn't figure out why in the hell I would smile and be friendly and people would just stare at me. It took me a long time to realize it's just the culture over here (DK). Everytime I go back to the States it takes me about a week to adjust back to the happiness and the cheery people ... I wouldn't trade either place for the world though, I love the life I live.
ReplyDeleteFascinating topic, this smiling thing! I so love these types of cultural differences and reading about them. I'm Dutch, married to a globetrotting American. We've lived in a number of countries, but the greatest happy/smiling culture shock I ever experienced was moving from Ghana to Armenia.
ReplyDeleteGhanaian people are as happy, friendly and cheerful as they come. Armenians? Not so much. A smile takes on a whole load of meaning there, and I was warned by a friend ;) It's a long story, so forgive me for being bloggy-incorrect and offer you my harrowing tale TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE:
http://tinyurl.com/5wzww6j
And as a fellow writer, I cannot agree more with you that travel makes you more creative.
I thought that about Americans being so cheerful! When I tried to explain to a friend while visiting him in Texas that the bouncy waitress was CREEPING ME OUT he thought I was crazy. What's wrong with smiles and cheeriness and free drink refills? Well, nothing, but... it still creeped me out.
ReplyDeleteLiving overseas has broadened my perspective, and allowed me to see the culture I was raised in a little more objective - even to see some of the flaws that I have picked up from it.
Great Post! Very Informative.
ReplyDeleteIf you're an U.S. expat, you should seek the advice of a professional to take a look at your tax situation. Come check out our website www.expatriatetaxreturns.com and we can take a look to see what you need to do. We are here for you.
I think people just want to be optimistic during these times of uncertainty - but deep inside - people stress about the concerns (unemployment) et, al.
ReplyDeletecheap uggs
ReplyDeleteuggs on sale uk
burberry outlet
uggs on sale
uggs outlet online
ugg boots outlet online
nike air max
clarks shoes
woolrich outlet
furla handbags
mcm bags
louis vuitton outlet
nike shox
christian louboutin
louis vuitton outlet online
celine handbags
giuseppe zanotti shoes
ugg outlet
dansko shoes
mulberry outlet
ugg black friday sale
air max pas cher
michael kors bags
nike roshe
jimmy choo outlet
michael kors handbags clearance
cheap uggs for sale
genuine uggs
tory burch shoes
mbt shoes
pandora jewelry
christian louboutin outlet
cheap jordans
canada goose jackets
nike kd 6
ReplyDeletecheap uggs for sale
ugg boots outlet
cheap uggs for sale
cheap uggs uk
discount uggs
ugg boots outlet store
ugg boots for cheap
parajumpers jackets
mbt shoes clearance
ugg sale
canada goose jackets sale
louboutin shoes
uggs on sale
uggs black friday 2014
ugg uk
cheap uggs for sale
jordan shoes sale
air max 2014
ugg boots sale
cheap uggs for sale
miu miu handbags
nike shoes sale
ugg boots sale
michael kors outlet handbags
canada goose outlet
manolo blahnik shoes
uggs on sale uk
discount ugg boots
ugg boots uk
marc jacobs handbags
canada goose jackets
clarks shoes
ugg boots outlet online
nike sb
golden state warriors jerseys
ReplyDeletecalvin klein underwear
canada goose outlet
lebron shoes
cheap jordans
air max 90
asics running shoes
true religion jeans
salomon shoes
asics shoes
swarovski uk
kobe 9
nfl jerseys
michael kors outlet
chicago blackhawks jersey
ray ban sunglasses
seattle seahawks jerseys
oakley sunglasses
iphone 6 cases
cheap snapbacks
abercrombie
fred perry polo shirts
pandora jewelry
mizuno running
prada shoes
timberland shoes
san francisco 49ers jerseys
karen millen dresses
soccer jerseys
moncler coats
coach outlet
michael kors outlet
chelsea jersey
lebron james shoes
true religion jeans
swarovski jewelry
michael kors outlet
nhl jerseys
thomas sabo
ralph lauren outlet
2015720caihuali
cartier bracelet
ReplyDeletecanada goose outlet
new england patriots jerseys
celine outlet online
ugg boots
nike free 5.0
ugg uk
giuseppe zanotti
michael kors outlet, http://www.michaelkorsoutlet-store.us.com
coach outlet online
converse all star
fred perry polo shirts
coach outlet store
prada handbags
tiffany jewelry
christian louboutin outlet
marc jacobs outlet
valentino outlet
louis vuitton
tiffany and co
nike huarache
north face jackets
gucci shoes
foamposite gold
mac cosmetics
abercrombie
cartier love bracelet
soccer jerseys
pandora
ferragamo shoes
marc jacobs
louis vuitton outlet
karen millen uk
los angeles lakers jerseys
thomas sabo uk
achang0812
chenlina20151215
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton outlet stores
hollister uk
cheap uggs
michael kors outlet online
canada goose outlet online
hollister co,hollister jeans,hollister.com,hollister ca
ray ban sunglasses outlet
replica watches
cheap uggs
cheap uggs for sale
tiffany and co
gucci outlet
uggs clearance
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton
coach factory outlet
north face outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
chanel bags
kate spade handbags
louis vuitton handbags
toms outlet
cheap air jordans
michael kors outlet online
ugg boots
pandora jewelry
ralph lauren outlet
mulberry handbags
uggs for men
toms shoes
coach outlet store online
ugg boots
longchamp outlet
abercrombie and fitch
true religion jeans outlet
michael kors outlet
giuseppe zanotti
oakley sunglasses
ugg boots
as
louboutin shoes
ReplyDeleteCheap North Face Jackets
abercrombie and fitch coupons
jordan 11
north face outlet store
burberry outlet
columbia clothing outlet
reebok shoes
coach handbags
gucci
abercrombie & fitch
nike
rolex
jordan
coach
nike nfl
hermes outlet online
Ugg Boots On Sale 70% Off
gucci handbags
michael kors store
nike basketball shoes
air jordan shoes for sale
prada sunglasses
michael kors handbags clearance 75% off
vans shoes
MK Bags
dior outlet store
christian louboutin
michael kors outlet
coach
cheap jordan shoes
hollister outlet store
christian louboutin
nike free
coach sale
Michael Kors Purses
north face factory outlet
michael kors outlet online sale
michael kors outlet
hermes outlet
jordan
air jordan 13
nike discount
cheap jordan 11
Coach Purse
Coach Factory Outlet
Coach Handbags Sale
North Face Jackets Clearance
prada
qwe12.19
belstaff jackets
ReplyDeleteswarovski jewelry
air jordan shoes
ralph lauren shirts
true religion outlet
cheap jordans
michael kors outlet
cheap uggs
michael kors factory outlet
polo ralph lauren
asics
coach outlet store
thomas sabo uk
chanel outlet
michael kors outlet
ugg outlet
cheap nba jerseys
michael kors outlet
adidas outlet store
ugg outlet
ray ban sunglasses
true religion jeans
oakley sunglasses wholesale
oakley sunglasses
louis vuitton outlet
hermes birkin
celine outlet
true religion jeans
tiffany jewellery
louis vuitton handbags
ugg uk
fitflops shoes
michael kors clearance
rolex watches
ferragamo shoes
iphone cases
michael kors outlet clearance
true religion outlet
coach outlet
replica handbags
1230maoqiuyun
chenlina20160119louis vuitton handbags
ReplyDeleteabercrombie outlet
supra shoes
ugg australia
uggs on sale
ugg sale
ray ban outlet store
abercrombie and fitch
uggs outlet
louis vuitton
oakley sunglasses
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors outlet
replica rolex watches
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton handbags
north face outlet
louboutin pas cher
uggs on sale
coach outlet store online
coach factory outlet
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors outlet online
cheap air jordans
michael kors handbags
running shoes
ugg sale
jordans for sale
the north face
coach factory outlet
coach outlet
louboutin
tory burch sale
oakley outlet
kobe bryant shoes
instyler max
michael kors uk
nike huarache
ugg sale
michael kors bag
as
michael kors outlet
ReplyDeletehollister clothing store
nike huarache shoes
louis vuitton bags
timberland outlet
louis vuitton handbags
nike free 5.0
ralph lauren outlet
abercrombie & fitch
louis vuitton purses
coach outlet
canada goose outlet store
air max 90
michael kors outlet
jordan retro 11
abercrombie & fitch
oakley sunglasses wholesale
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton bags
jordan concords
adidas originals shoes
timberlands
true religion outlet
kate spade handbags
beats by dr dre
hollister clearance
gucci handbags
ugg boots outlet
cheap toms
abercrombie and fitch
michael kors outlet online
nike air max
canada goose
canada goose outlet
prada handbags
2016227yuanyuan
polo ralph lauren
ReplyDeletetoms outlet
hermes outlet
polo ralph lauren
michael kors outlet sale
ralph lauren,polo ralph lauren,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren italia,ralph lauren sito ufficiale
tiffany and co
true religion jeans
louis vuitton handbags outlet
tiffany jewellery
mulberry outlet,mulberry handbags outlet
michael kors outlet
prada outlet
pandora outlet
tiffany outlet
nba jerseys
asics,asics israel,asics shoes,asics running shoes,asics israel,asics gel,asics running,asics gel nimbus,asics gel kayano
longchamp pliage
hermes belt
michael kors uk outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
fitflops sale
nike air max 90
hermes birkin
ray ban sunglasses
gucci outlet
sac louis vuitton pas cher
mulberry handbags sale
cheap ray ban sunglasses
christian louboutin shoes
nike air max
true religion jeans
kate spade handbags
longchamp pas cher
versace sunglasses
16.6.17qqqqqing
Bank Holidays 2017
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year 2017 SMS
enem 2016 resultado
cat 2016 result
Happy new year 2017 wallpapers
resultado enem 2016
Happy Diwali Messages
Happy Onam Images Happy Onam Whatsapp status for Christmas Christmas Whatsapp Status
vans shoes
ReplyDeleteadidas nmd
michael kors handbags
polo ralph lauren
air max 90
true religion outlet
louis vuitton outlet
coach outlet store online
coach outlet
jordan 11s
jordan shoes
ralph lauren uk
gucci bags
nike air max
louis vuitton outlet
coach outlet
nike roshe flyknit
oakley sunglasses
oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet
nike nfl jerseys
michael kors handbags
basketball shoes
christian louboutin outlet
coach outlet store online
coach factory outlet
gucci handbags
adidas shoes
adidas originals
coach outlet store online
true religion shorts
juicy couture
louis vuitton outlet
nike air max
pandora jewelry
coach factory outlet
jordan 8s
rolex watches
toms shoes
coach outlet store online
2016.7.22haungqin
birkenstocks
ReplyDeletecheap oakley sunglasses
kobe 9
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags online
cheap oakley sunglasses
oakley sunglasses
nike trainers
nike blazer pas cher
gucci borse
Angkasa Bali Distributor Alat Kantor Furniture Jual Meja Kursi Kantor di Bali
ReplyDeleteAngkasa Bali Distributor Peralatan Kantor Furniture Jual Meja Kursi Kantor di Bali
Jual Kursi Kantor di Bali
Angkasa Bali Distributor Alat Kantor Furniture
Jual Furniture Meja Kantor di Bali
Angkasa Bali Jual Furniture Kantor di Bali
Angkasa Bali Jual Furniture dan Alat Kantor di Bali
Angkasa Bali Distributor Perlengkapan kantor di Bali
Angkasa Bali Distributor Alat Kantor Furniture Jual Meja Kursi Kantor di Bali
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, you should be exceptionally watchful when picking a home loan bank. Yes, cautiousness is the name of the diversion! Don't simply depend on their alluring adverts which are fit for confounding you. Or maybe verify their validity utilizing the accompanying criteria. payday loans
ReplyDeletehxy2.06
ReplyDeletecoach outlet
coach outlet
louis vuitton borse
tiffany jewellery
coach outlet online
pandora outlet
oakley sunglasses wholesale
louis vuitton
polo ralph lauren
toms shoes
ray ban glasses
ReplyDeleteed hardy clothing
nike roshe run
michael kors canada outlet
burberry scarf
pandora charms
calvin klein outlet
hermes kelly bag
ed hardy clothing
coach purses
chenyingying20170302
polo ralph lauren
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton outlet
ray ban sunglasses uk
oakley sunglasses
oakley sunglasses
coach outlet
kate spade handbags
ralph lauren outlet
ray ban sunglasses
louis vuitton outlet online
chenlina20170314
louis vuitton handbags
ReplyDeleteair max outlet
longchamp handbags
ed hardy store
mlb jerseys
moncler coats
ed hardy outlet
michael kors outlet
tigers jerseys
coach outlet online
0402shizhong
air max 2016
ReplyDeletelouboutin shoes uk
longchamp
curry shoes
michael jordan shoes
adidas nmd
yeezy boost 350
james harden shoes
adidas superstar shoes
yeezy boost 350
colts jerseys
ReplyDeletecleveland cavaliers jersey
ugg boots
ugg outlet
mont blanc pens outlet
coach handbags
ugg boots
oakland raiders jerseys
ralph lauren outlet
michael kors outlet
Now I’m really quite delighted by this incredible website. Insurance provider a lot of techniques through journalist of imperative. I had put away your blog. At this time follow-up cash advance Regards for those advantageous stage.
ReplyDeleteGoogle Play Music is an Application of the Google, you can download this on your android mobile from Google Play Store.
ReplyDeleteIf face any problem in this app you directly contact with our Technical Expert who give the proper solution. Google Play Music Customer Support
chicago bulls
ReplyDeletecheap ray bans
coach outlet
miami heat jersey
michael kors outlet
fitflops
nike blazer pas cher
michael kors uk
golden goose outlet
ReplyDeletenike mercurial
chrome hearts online
golden goose sneakers
lebron james shoes
nike air max 270
longchamp handbags
20180620xiaoke
ReplyDeletecoach factory outlet
canada goose outlet online
kyrie 4
ugg boots
colts jersey
michael kors uk
coach outlet store online
ralph lauren
jerseys from china
christian louboutin
Actually, you have a lot to gain when you visit all sorts of bookies such as 888sport or decide to place a Leovegas free bet. This means that you are not actually placing a free bet, but that you have access to a bonus that allows you to place more bets because of the fact that you have meet their new user conditions.
ReplyDeletehttp://sarahaddyson.over-blog.com/2019/09/do-you-have-anything-to-gain-when-you-place-a-leovegas-free-bet.html
michael jordan shoes
ReplyDeletestephen curry shoes
birkin bag
yeezy shoes
jordans
balenciaga trainers
longchamp
yeezy shoes
kyrie 6
longchamp