About Face

  
          Last summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the Merrill Lynch Atlantic Fellowship. Selecting ten students from the US, and ten from the UK, the Atlantic Fellowship offered a comprehensive overview of the financial markets, while also enriching us with the cultural aspects of both London, and New York City. Although I knew there would be several cultural differences in England, I would soon be surprised at the type of encounters I had.

            On the first day we traveled to Merrill Lynch’s headquarters in London. As we entered the building, I went to quickly quench my thirst at a nearby water fountain. The group continued along, and since I knew we had to go to the sixth floor, I didn’t think there would be any issues getting there. However, I soon found out that I was very wrong. I asked one of the passing gentleman where the elevators were, and he drew a blank and confused face. I assumed he didn’t hear me clearly, I repeated, “can you tell me where the elevators are please?” His eyes pierced back with a dismayed and scornful look. He glanced at his watch and seemed to calculate that he wasted five precious seconds trying to decipher what I said. He snarled and I heard him say under his breath, “stupid American.” My jaw hung to the floor, and I stood there in utter disbelief. I just asked for directions to the elevator, but he made it seem as though I asked him to explain Physics to me in Chinese. I was fascinated how a simple elevator direction resulted in his insulting response. However, I noticed I was late, and brushed off the whole situation.

            That evening we went to Oxford Street, Europe’s busiest and most dense shopping street. As I was walking along, I noticed a svelte young girl, who looked like she had just walked straight off the runway from Fashion Week. I fell in love with the pants she was wearing, and decided to compliment her exquisite style. I exclaimed, “Wow! I love your pants, they look fabulous. Where did you buy them?” Immediately, she raised her eyebrows, and I saw her dilated pupils. She gazed back at me appalled, shaking her head, and proceeded to walk away. Again, I was stunned. I couldn’t fathom what had made her so disgusted, when I was simply admiring her outfit. I came to the conclusion that there was something wrong with her, not with what I said, and ignored what had just transpired.

            The week flashed by, and we were boarding the plane back to New York City. As I was looking out the window and reflecting on my adventures and experiences, I was reminded of the gentleman and young girl I had encountered. My British peer, Corinne, was seated to my right, and I was compelled to ask her why they had reacted that way. When I told her both situations, she burst out laughing hysterically. Corinne told me that in England, the term “elevators” is unheard of, and instead they use “lifts.” I realized that if I entered into a building in New York City, and asked where the lifts are, I would probably receive the same confused reaction. I also learned that “pants” in British usage are not trousers, but undergarments. My face turned bright red and I then thought of how foolish and embarrassing my comment must have sounded to the young girl.

            It was then that I realized my mistake. Instead of learning the British culture, and adjusting to it, I was just acting like I would in New York City. Perhaps my biggest misconception was that there would be no language barrier, as English is the language of both countries. This experience especially raised my awareness of cultural barriers, even if they don’t initially seem to exist. Now, whenever I travel to a foreign place, I make sure to learn how to properly ask for elevator directions and compliment pants.