Whistling & Off to Italy

Image via Wikipedia

Hi Everyone,
We've been having some adventures with culture the past few days, that's for sure! Jiri and I have been discussing the whistling/not whistling issue off and on. Obviously whistling isn't so much of an issue--I've been here for 2.5 years and Jiri has not heard me whistle in that time, until just the other day. Whistling is something I enjoy, but will probably do it when no one is around, no one can hear me or see me...and when I'm back in the States I'll definitely use those opportunities to get in any whistling that I feel the need or wish to do! 

The main issue, for me, is trying to adapt to European/Czech culture without feeling repressed. There is a fine line there that is hard to discern between feeling repressed and adapting happily. The only way to discern being off balance seems to be what we call, in the US, "listening to your gut." 

Your "gut" will definitely let you know with feelings of unhappiness, depression, and other signs that you are feeling unhappy and maybe repressed. If you're beginning to feel repressed it is a sign of being out of balance and of things not working; then it's time to discuss some solutions and options with your partner/spouse. There needs to be a mutuality involved in the process of adaptation of a foreign spouse into the home country/culture of the "native" spouse/partner. You should be able to compromise and find a solution that lets you both feel comfortable and happy.

Europeans/Czechs frown on women whistling, especially in public. It means the woman is somehow rough, loose in morals, lewd, etc. This is how Jiri feels about a woman whistling, too. Therefore, I must refrain from this pass time in this culture. I can't wear lace or whistle, however I can stand outside nude on a hot day...go figure! 

Americans don't understand these things very well...and I'm one of them, as open-minded as I try to be! Even though I don't understand, I feel the need to refrain from these activities in order to have a happy relation with my husband and those around us. I'm living here...married to a "native"...and need to comply with certain things in order to maintain regular relations with everyone, including my husband. This is what I understand, and I'm willing to do, until I begin to feel repressed. Fortunately, I'm not feeling repressed at this time!

On to another topic...later today Jiri and I are leaving for the Eternal City--Rome! Neither of us has been to Rome before and we're both looking forward to seeing this beautiful city where so much history has taken place. There will be so much to see there...and this is a short trip...I'm hoping that we will manage the Vatican and other very historical places!

Well, that's all for today...I need to finish packing and prepapring for the trip! You all have a great day! I'm hoping to have Internet while in Rome (of course it's there, but if the hotel charges too much we might not have it), and if we do, I'll be dropping Entrecards as usual. If not, then I'll take up dropping when we get home this weekend. Thanks for stopping by...you all have a great day!

God bless,
Sher :0)

Czech Off the Beaten Path Website
Czech Off the Beaten Path T-shirts & More
Sher's Stuff

(c) 2009 by czechoffthebeatenpath