#Intercultural Dynamics

[omegaphilosophia]

The Ontology of Culture

The ontology of culture examines the nature, existence, and fundamental structure of culture as a concept, system, and lived experience. It addresses how culture emerges, exists, and functions in human societies, as well as its metaphysical status—whether it is an objective reality, a social construct, or an interplay of both.

Key Questions in the Ontology of Culture

What is culture?

Is culture a tangible entity, a system of symbols, or a set of practices?

Does it exist independently of individuals, or is it constituted by individual and collective actions?

How does culture exist?

Materialist View: Culture manifests through physical artifacts, art, tools, and architecture.

Symbolic View: Culture exists as shared symbols, language, and values.

Dynamic View: Culture is a process, constantly evolving through interaction, adaptation, and change.

Is culture universal or particular?

Are there universal cultural elements, or is culture entirely relative to specific societies?

How do shared human experiences shape universal cultural themes?

How is culture transmitted and maintained?

Through language, rituals, education, and media.

The role of institutions, traditions, and collective memory in preserving culture.

Is culture a static or dynamic entity?

Static perspectives view culture as enduring and unchanging over time.

Dynamic perspectives see culture as fluid, evolving in response to historical and social factors.

Theoretical Perspectives on Culture

Essentialism:

Culture is viewed as an intrinsic set of characteristics that define a group of people.

Constructivism:

Culture is constructed through social practices and interactions, shaped by power dynamics and context.

Structuralism:

Culture exists as a system of underlying structures, such as language or myths, that govern human behavior.

Postmodernism:

Challenges fixed notions of culture, emphasizing its fragmented, diverse, and hybrid nature.

Cultural Materialism:

Focuses on the material and economic conditions that shape cultural practices and ideologies.

Ontological Issues in Culture

Subjectivity vs. Objectivity:

Is culture a subjective experience unique to individuals, or does it exist as an objective, shared reality?

Individual vs. Collective:

How does individual agency interact with collective cultural norms and practices?

Temporal Nature of Culture:

How does culture persist over time, and what mechanisms allow it to evolve?

Intercultural Influence:

How do cultures interact, merge, or clash in a globalized world?

Nature vs. Nurture:

How do biological factors interact with cultural influences to shape human behavior?

Practical Applications

Cultural Studies:

Analyzing cultural products, practices, and ideologies to understand societal dynamics.

Anthropology:

Exploring the lived realities of diverse cultures to uncover universal and particular traits.

Sociology:

Investigating the role of culture in structuring societies and influencing behavior.

Philosophy of Education:

Examining how culture shapes knowledge systems and learning methodologies.

Globalization Studies:

Addressing the impact of cultural exchange, homogenization, and resistance in a globalized world.

The ontology of culture seeks to define what culture fundamentally is and how it operates across human societies. It integrates metaphysical, social, and practical dimensions to provide a holistic understanding of culture's nature and significance. By addressing these questions, we deepen our comprehension of what it means to live within, shape, and be shaped by cultural systems.

[ukulelegodparent]

Heartbreaking: This German almost died bc they had to manually select Germany as their location on a German-language website, bc the default was Switzerland or Austria bc that's where the company is from

[johannestevans]

reclist crossposted from /r/Romancelandia as i expect people will be interested here too

I can recommend some queer movies with HFN / HEAs! Most of these are M/M and/or are intercultural or interracial romances. Edited to add: Here's this comment as a Letterboxd list (notes included) for easier watchlist adding.

Breaking Fast (2020, dir. Mike Mosallam) - A little bit wooden at first, but warms as you go - this is an M/M romance between a Muslim and a white guy in modern day LA, and it's all about them breaking fast together during Ramadan. Lots of food, lots of intimacy in dining settings.

Kajillionaire (2020, dir. Miranda July) - This is a kooky F/F comedy with some explorations and musings on the lasting impact of child neglect, isolation, and exploitation, but is nonetheless quite gleeful in its depiction of neurodivergent and unusual ways of being and of loving. I adore this one, it's a real favourite of mine.

I Love You Phillip Morris (2009, dir. Glenn Ficarra & John Recqua) - Be gay, do crime! This one is very silly but it's still fun, featuring a man who'll do anything imaginable to keep his beach-blond and beach-tanned lover, Ewan McGregor, happy and content. Contemporary M/M nonsense throughout.

In & Out (1997, dir. Frank Oz) - This one is a very silly contemporary M/M romance, and it's about Kevin Kline, an English teacher, basically finding out that he's gay because everyone in the world knows already... except him? I want to warn in advance for some really difficult fatphobic / diet culture stuff about his fiancée, played by Joan Cusack, I've not included CWs for most of these films but that one in this film is extreme. If you can get past that, though, it's one of those films that's very Of Its Time, but in part feels more joyful because of the way it explores and depicts gay stereotypes whilst being so like, absurdly positive about the main dynamic.

Bedrooms and Hallways (1998, dir. Rose Troche) - A young gay lad joins a local men's group and his presence causes absolute chaos by voicing his attraction to another member. Several stories at once here, and also quite a joyfully bisexual story, with both M/M and F/M lines!

Poor Things (2023, dir. Yorgos Lanthimos) - Surreal and strange and beautiful and bizarre, this is a joyfully bisexual and richly hedonistic love story centering on a remade young woman's exploration of her identity, her body, and the world around her. Has both F/M and F/F elements, and is set in a vaguely period / steampunk mishmash of eras and aesthetics.

Big Eden (2000, dir. Thomas Bezucha) - Another love story that's as much about the affection and adoration a community has for its members as it is about the romance between its two leads - contemporary M/M between a white artist from the city returning to his home town, and a Native American who owns the general store there.

A Nice Indian Boy (2024, dir. Roshan Sethi) - This is a new release, and it's just lovely, it's an M/M romance between two Hindu men, one an Indian-American and the other a white man adopted by Indian parents, now orphaned. This one is a really great exploration of a love story as more hollistic and about marrying into the family, not just the marriage between the two individuals.

Maurice (1987, dir. James Ivory) - A classic piece of queer cinema based on the classic text by EM Forster: a love story set in the 1930s that goes through a lot of tragedy and hardship, but ultimately culminates in a beautiful M/M inter-class HEA love story.

Fire Island (2022, dir. Andrew Ahn) - This is sublime, it's a queer Pride and Prejudice retelling on Fire Island in the US with a cast of mostly young hot East Asian Americans, just an excellent M/M romance throughout.

But I'm A Cheerleader (1999, dir. Jamie Babbit) - F/F contemporary romcom here, this one is a regular classic for a reason. Very iconic and very quotable.

My Beautiful Laundrette (1985, dir. Stephen Frears) - Another big piece of iconic cinema here, this one is more a historical romance with a focus on identity and community but there is still the M/M romantic throughline and some incredible intimacy throughout, between a Pakistani man and his lover whilst they run and restore a laundrette.

God's Own Country (2017, dir. Francis Lee) - Big art cinema here, M/M romance between a Yorkshireman and a Romian migrant worker during lambing season in rural Yorkshire. Lots of pastoral elements present in this flick, naturally, with sharing of expertise and understanding, working through and past expectations of toxic masculinity and the like.

Another Country (1984, dir. Marek Kanievska) - Old classic here based on the play, set in the 1930s, starring baby Colin Firth and Rupert Everett, this has elements of M/M romance with a HEA, particularly if you know of the real-life Guy Burgess, on whom the MC Guy Bennett is based. One storyline is focused on a young man caught between his school's demands and expectations of British national pride and his own ethical and moral draw towards communism; the other is on a young gay man who is proud of how and whom he loves, and how those around him are in many ways dismissive and even forgiving of his queerness, but only because they expect it to cease when he leaves school.

Obviously most people will already be familiar with The Birdcage (1996) and the original La cage aux folles (1978), but I just wanted to also recommend Ideal Home (2018), which is not a Romance exactly but has a really beautiful central romance and is in large part about the main gay couple taking in their grandson whilst working on their own relationship, it's a contemporary M/M dynamic; and The Full Monty (1997), which is ultimately a story about sexy working class masculinity embraced and discovered through stripping, but features a very poignant M/M love story between two of the side characters in the main cast.

[murderbot-moodboard]

I hadn't read a lot of scifi until after I read The Murderbot Diaries (which kind of introduced me to the contemporary scifi lit scene), but I'm currently rereading what was my favorite scifi book before I read Murderbot, and it's still in my top 10. It's a standalone novel that came out in 1988 called Hellspark, written by Janet Kagan. Martha Wells has said in one or two places that Janet Kagan is one of her scifi inspirations (and has mentioned one of Kagan's other novels, Mirabile, specifically), but I wouldn't be surprised if Wells drew some inspiration from Hellspark as well, because I was reminded of it when I read certain parts of TMBD.

Hellspark features a main character named Tocohl who is confident, pragmatic, and within the first few pages of Chapter 1 uses her fighting skills and responsive armor suit skin to take down a group of bad guys armed with knives who are kidnapping a woman who turns out to be an important character in the story. Tocohl is assisted by her extrapolative computer Maggie, who lives in Tocohl's ship but uses a remote to interact with characters on planet part of the time. Tocohl usually speaks to Maggie by subvocalizing—this book was where I first heard that term, though I didn't quite understand what it meant until I read TMBD.

The main story takes place on a planet where a survey team has gone to assess if one of the life forms there, the sprookjes, are sapient, because that will determine whether the planet can be developed by outside forces or not. But there's been a mysterious death, the planet is prone to frequent lightning storms, and the survey team are all humans from different planets, leading to cultural and language differences that add to the tension. Tocohl, however, is from a culture of traveling merchants, and she uses her understanding of the languages and the nonverbal movements of the different cultures to work through the group's communication challenges as she helps them try to determine if the sprookjes are sapient before their time runs out.

I absolutely love the cultural worldbuilding behind each of the fictional human cultures that is evident from page 1. The way Janet Kagan emphasizes the body language and movements of each culture isn't quite like anything else I've ever read outside of the class I once took on intercultural communication. If you're looking for a scifi story with a bit of mystery, intercultural dynamics, and analysis of the timeless question "how do you define, much less determine, sapience?," I'm fairly confident you will not regret picking up this book. :)

[vesper-1898]

no aguanto mas a los gringos en twitter diciendo que tenemos que a shippear a cassian y bix porque ambos son latinos, que tonteira 😭 tengo muchos amigos latinos que han amado a rebelcaptain durante muchos años, estos gringos idiotas ahora quieren que cambiemos de opinión

Ay no, ya sé. No entiendo por qué creen que shippear a dos personajes solo porque los actores son latinos los hace sentirse 'woke', cuando en realidad esos mismos comentarios dejan claro que solo son una bola de racistas con complejo de superioridad moral.

Por que claro, en una galaxia muy muy lejana a fuerzas hay que emparejar latino con latino únicamente porque la gente blanca/gringa/etc lo dice. Si, este... No.

Si esa es su lógica para shipper a Cassian y a Bix, que se lleven sus ideas tontas a otro lado y no nos las vengan a imponer (cough cough, que curioso que justo quieran imponerle sus ideas a gente latina sobre lo que deberiamos pensar y sentir). Porque una cosa es shippearlos por la conexión, la dinámica, etc (aunque yo no comparta la opinión, entiendo que hay gente que los shippea por esas razones), pero otra cosa es venirnos a decir, desde su pedestal, que "obviamente" deberíamos cambiar de opinión solo porque los actores comparten origen étnico. Así o más racistas?

Y como bien dijiste, hay muchos latinos (y mucha gente en general de todas partes del mundo) que llevamos años amando este ship por lo que vimos en la peli, lo que no se dijo, el subtexto, etc. Y muchos no vamos a dejar que gente con complejo de salvador blanco nos venga a decir qué hacer.

Y sabes qué es lo més gracisoso? Que ni siquiera debería importar si son latinos, gringos, asiáticos o lo que sea. Si te gusta una ship, eso debería de ser lo último que importara. Por que, además... como si fuera algo de otro mundo la existencia de parejas interraciales, de distinas etnias o países. Porfavor.

Pero bueno, en resumen: me valen sus opiniones todas tontas (p*ndejas). Y seguiremos shippeando a Rebelcaptain todo lo que queramos. Gracias.

Y si aquí también va en inglés para que lo lean ....

Agh, yeah I know. I really don't get why some people think that shipping two characters just because the actors are both Latino somehow makes them "woke", when in truth, all their comments only show how deeply racis and how desparate they are to feel morally superior.

Because of course, in a galaxy far, far away, Latinos must be paired exclusively with other Latinos, only because white people/gringos say so. Uh, yeah .... no.

If that's their logic for shipping Cassian and Bix, they can take their stupid ideas elsewhere and stop trying to force them on us (cough cough, funny how it's always white people trying to tell Latinos how we should feel or think.) Shipping them because of their dynamic, chemistry or whatever? Cool. Not my thing, but I respect it. But pushing a ship just because the actors share an ethnic background? That's not progressive, but racist with extra steps.

And like you said, so many Latinos (and people from all around the world, really) have loved this ship for years for what we saw in the movie, for the subtext or the things that went unsaid. And we're not about to let someone with a white saviour complex come and tell us what to do.

Because you know what's funniest, though? It shouldn't even matter if they're latino, white, asian, or whatever. If you like a ship, that should be the least relevant thing. Also, as if interracial and intercultural couples were breaking news at this point in human history. Like, please...

So yeah, long story short: I don't care about their dumbass opinions. And we will keep shipping Rebelcaptain as much as we want. Thanks.

[callaei-researches]

Summary of results - Intercultural and cross-linguistic perspectives on the whump genre

Here is a summary of the results from the research thesis, "Intercultural and cross-linguistic perspectives on the whump genre"! This was part of my studying a Master of Contemporary International Studies. The research aimed to explore how whump-interested people connect with the whump genre cross-culturally and cross-linguistically.

Back in June/July this year (2023), I sent out a questionnaire open to any whump-interested person, and also invited interviews for bilingual whump-interested people. I've finally finished my thesis, and overall was awarded an A- for it!

The full thesis is available now to read on Academia.edu, and will also be available on IPU New Zealand's library website in January 2024.

The research isn't available on Academia.edu or IPU New Zealand library website anymore, however you can access it via Google Drive here!

This research was approved for Human Research Ethics Clearance by the IPU New Zealand Research and Development Commitee on 3rd May 2023 (HREC-2023-05-03-01).

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(NB: Due to there being an extensive amount of results, I've only summarised the key findings of the results section and a brief conclusion here. I've referenced page numbers for the full thesis if you'd like to read the extended version.)

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Summary of results (Questionnaire)

233 respondents | 92 different cultural/faith-based identities

The questionnaire was used to answer Research Question 1, "How do the aspects of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Schwartz’ universal human values reflect in the characteristics of whump genre identity?"

The questionnaire explored four themes associated with whump genre concepts - “agency,” “comfort,” “stoicism,” and “knowledge” - and found (p. 87):

For the theme of “agency,” questionnaire participants tended to perceive a greater importance for agency for the caretaker and whumper roles. This may be related to the caretaker and whumper role characters’ abilities to carry out their roles of caretaking and whumping respectively. While the cultural dimensions did not appear to be factors inherent to the theme of agency for the whumpee role in a whump genre story, this appeared to work towards supporting the cross-cultural enjoyment of whump. For the theme of “comfort,” hurt comfort, physical comfort and long-term recovery may be more accommodating of cultural dimension dynamics and have a greater capacity to fully realise the goals of Schwartz’ values. For the theme of “stoicism,” the way in which these dimensions can so diversely be applied to this theme suggests a cross-culturally applicable ground. For the theme of “knowledge,” the balance between the certainty of a known whumpee and the uncertainty of an unknown whumper indicate variable tolerance of ambiguity within the whump genre. This suggests a cross-culturally applicable ground.

The full results section for the questionnaire can be read in the full thesis (pp. 61-87).

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Summary of results (Interview)

31 interviewees (15 spoken, 16 written) | 24 different languages

The interview was used to answer Research Question 2, "How do bilingual whump-interested people perceive the ability to convey themes of hurt comfort (a subgenre of whump) in different languages?"

The interview questions were categorised into themes:

Theme 1: Preferences for language when interacting with fiction

Theme 2: Comparisons of different languages’ abilities to convey physical and emotional pain

Theme 3: Limitations or difficulties experienced when conveying whump in, and across, different languages

Theme 4: Cultural, social, and/or linguistic reasons influencing pronunciation of “whump”

Following transcription of the interviews, a thematic analysis involving examining code co-occurences found (p. 123):

For “Theme 1: Preferences for language when interacting with fiction,” preferences tended to be associated with the availability of media, the ability to connect with the author’s intended meaning, and the level of ease and comfort with which interviewees could engage with the fictional media. For “Theme 2: Comparisons of different languages’ abilities to convey physical and emotional pain,” interviewees’ comparisons highlighted differing ways of presenting and conveying pain in language, for example, through language features and words. Overall, interviewees felt that the languages which they were fluent in were generally equally capable of conveying physical and emotional pain, although different languages tended to approach the communicating of pain in different ways. For “Theme 3: Limitations or difficulties experienced when conveying whump in, and across, different languages,” the perceived limitations and difficulties experienced across languages tended to be associated with difficulties in conveying semantic, pragmatic and cultural meaning across languages, and tended to stem from the differences between sociolinguistic approaches to communicating ideas in languages. For “Theme 4: Cultural, social, and/or linguistic reasons influencing pronunciation of “whump,” common cultural, social and linguistic reasons for interviewees’ pronunciations of “whump” included how interviewees expected the word to sound based on their expectations of the letters in the phonological environment, the impact of a lack of having heard the word spoken aloud, sociocultural influences, intuition and language education.

The full results section for the interview can be read in the full thesis (pp. 61-87). Interview transcripts (sensitive details filtered out) can be read in Appendix H (pp. 177-399).

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Conclusions (brief exerpt from p. 130)

Research Question 1 explored cross-culturally applicable aspects of the whump genre. The findings suggested that themes of the whump genre accommodate variations in cultural social orientations and values, thereby enabling an interculturally common ground among whump-interested people.

Using qualitative research (interview), Research Question 2 explored how bilingual whump-interested people perceive and connect with hurt comfort themes across different languages. The findings suggest that multiple factors contribute to how bilingual whump-interested people engage with the whump genre, including but not limited to first and second languages as a tool to experience closely or otherwise distance the subject with, the availability of whump media in different languages, and manner of conveying aspects of pain and comfort through lexical, phonetic, grammatical and cultural aspects of language.

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Thank you to everyone who participated in the research - the questionnaire and/or the interview! Your voices are all important in this kind of research, and are all very much appreciated!

[empvrealities]

@ ! DR𖤓NA’S LOGBOOK ;

drana , 23 , she / they . asks ok !

( last updated : jan 31, ’25. )

hi, hello, hi !! i’m adriana, but please feel free to call me 𝓭.rana — that is the ( nick ) name i go by online and the one i’m most comfortable with. i am a linguistic & intercultural mediation graduate aspiring to get into audiovisual / multimedia translation & dialogue adaptation ... or ( forensic ) linguistic mediation; fluent in italian ( mothertongue ) and english especially, i know my way around a spanish dictionary but completely fail wherever french is involved. funny, but i promise this has nothing to do with the french. love and hate you guys.

interests of mine include procedural dramas ( for the love of all that is holy guys watch fringe, nobody knows or talks about it and idc it is a crime in my book ), broadway / musicals, behavioural analysis, criminology, horror ﹢ thriller genre, text–based roleplay ( guilty pleasure ), hozier, arctic monkeys, chase atlantic, dog training & equestrianism. the autumn–ish, winter–ish vibe ? love it. absorbed it into my very being. i am it & it is me. i am that one brownish, reddish leaf that refuses to let go of the branch & holds on for dear life. the cup of warm, sweet chocolate that warms your hands on the coldest of afternoons, but especially the too hot to handle cup of coffee that you throw on your enemies out of pure spite, because why the hell not. i am also ( very obviously ) all over the place. i’m trying to be funny. or interesting. some of you guys may say i’m very much not funny. nor interesting. ( rude. but maybe fair ? )

⁎* 𓆃 *⁎

though i haven’t been involved with the shifting community prior to like, 2023, i have been lurking around shifttok since early 2020, mid–quarantine. yes, i somehow managed to survive early shifttok & shook off all of the misinfo that stubbornly clung to me like second skin for the better part of three years ( yikes. ) tiktok–wise, i’ve fallen back to old lurking habits. i don’t know if i’ll ever pick that account back up. but i heard good things about the tumblr side of the community ( better than both shifttok & shifttwt at least ); & i missed having a safe space to chat everything shifting–related in. my inbox & asks for this blog are open & are to remain so. please feel free to drop whatever in there. ♡

dni : basic dni criteria ( racists, lgbtphobes, misoginists, zionists... you know who you are. don’t be weird ), anti–shifters & non–shifters. if you don’t like who i’m shifting for ( nobody problematic, dw ) just don’t interact. for your own safety & mine, i will not be following or interacting with any minors.

✡ ❛ supernatural @ the third winchester, 25. ( wo ) man of letters, ¾ of team free will. the middle child ( kinda ) & sam’s twin sister — older by like five minutes. rest assured i play the “older sibling” card every chance i get. insufferable ? he deserves it. ⁎ i’m what the angels define a blessed child, imbued with angelic grace @ the crib and endowed with ( mostly passive / defensive ) angel–like abilities. castiel’s charge and lover. whoops, i guess ?

main tag: #✳ᬊ：the family business﹒

↪ post masterlist.

✡ ❛ criminal minds @ the bau’s specialist in cult & ritualistic crimes ﹢ victim advocacy, formerly an officer for the los angeles police department ( lapd )’s k–9 unit. 29, italian–american. raised by rossi & his ( late ) first wife in my sick, constantly in–and–out of the hospital mother’s stead. my biological father is out of the picture ( read as: stuck behind prison bars. ) ⁎ dynamics with the team are all fine & dandy. then again, reid may just be the one honest to god bane of my existence. hate him, love him, love to hate him & hate to love him. or however it goes.

fun fact — when not busy with bau–related work, i’m in charge of overseeing the fbi’s k–9 dogs’ training. because... hell yeah ?

main tag: #✳ᬊ：wheels up in 30﹒

↪ post masterlist.

✡ ❛ supernatural x criminal minds @ john’s bastard daughter & half–sister to the winchesters. from a mol family before the mol "disbanded". fbi agent & unit chief of the prd ( preternatural research & defense ) unit, successors to the american men of letters. specialist in undercover ops, linguistics ( enochian ), demonology ﹢ werewolf lore, tracking, hunting. called to deal with violent cases where the supernatural ﹢ hunters are suspected to be involved & tasked to "protect" its existence while eradicating the problem at its source. without alerting the general population, nor local law enforcement.

crossover drs are fun. they are. huh-uh. really.

main tag: #✳ᬊ：confidential﹒

↪ post masterlist.

✡ ❛ yellowstone @ a cozier experience than what’s seen in the show, for all of my western & cattle–driving & horse–taming dreams. fifth dutton child & youngest daughter, one of three barrel racers competing for the ranch ( my main mount is a palomino ahq mare ) & kennel manager of the dutton border collies, also situated on the ranch’s land, where we raise and train our working stockdogs. a blood feud between my s/o’s family & mine makes for a nice romeo & juliet trope — minus the deaths.

main tag: tba.

↪ post masterlist.

[itsfairly]

A Culture of Our Own // Nanami Kento x Latine! F! Reader

Word Count: ~2k

Summary: Intercultural dating is still pretty difficult. But you make it work with Nanami. Today, you do it through music.

Notes: sfw, fluff, f!reader, established relationship, Latine! reader (though it's more Mexican-leaning), intercultural relationship and all that, self-indulgent, Spanish, no translations, not proofread.

A/N: Please note that this is more from my experience, it is also highly self-indulgent. And that is because Nanami is my man, sorry about that. Anyways, also HAPPY LATINO HERITAGE MONTH. this is for us y'all, i did my best for the community. I wanted it to uploaded it on the 15th, but life happened. But hey, I still uploaded this before the month ended, so it's a win.

Dating becomes interesting when you add culture into the mix. Did you think you would end up dating a Japanese man? Especially after a lifetime of your mother asking you to be with someone who spoke Spanish? No. But life had a way to play with you and a way to be nice to you.

Just look at him. Nanami Kento. Someone who was just as handsome on the outside as sweet as they were on the inside. So respectful, so breathtaking, and so dreamy. No one even came close to how much this man makes your heart jump at the sight of him. No, he might not know your native language. But he certainly made you happy and content at his side.

Of course, eventually, you start to explain your cultures outside of the common knowledge and general facts like holidays and etiquette. You start getting into pop culture and what is normally taken for granted in your culture. It's a slow process considering how spontaneous the conversation can be.

From "What does that mean?" when using slang to an inside joke your culture has, little reoccurrences become opportunities to learn more about each other. Sure, you might not be able to fully explain something or understand it, but it doesn't take away that you two start to weave your cultures into the relationship and mix them into one that becomes intrinsic to your dynamic.

Today, you had one of those occurrences when you were cleaning your place and he just happened to come early. When he knocks on the door, you let him in without missing a beat despite being in your full-on cleaning outfit and playlist. A playlist that consisted of old songs your mom used to play when she cleaned such as Bésame Mucho, La Mentira, Si Una Vez, and such. Real classics obviously.

Classics he's not familiar with.

"You're early." You noted with a smile, walking over to your phone and pausing your music.

He looks down at his watch, seeing that he is actually on time. He remembers how much you joke about your family being late to everything or how time is just really abstract for you after years of being told ahorita. A word that could mean anything between 5 minutes to two hours. He chuckles at your words, agreeing with you that he was early for you. The different perception in time between the two of you could be weird at times, but it never really brought many problems considering that both of you (you mostly) put in the effort to accommodate for it.

"Is there something wrong with wanting to see my partner a little early?" He asks, a small smile coming to his face as he walks closer to you, leaving a small kiss on your forehead.

You smile, happy to feel his lips on you once more. "No, but you're seeing me in the most typical way a Latina looks when cleaning. I don't need that image in your mind.

He looks up and down, trying to see this look you're talking about. Sure, you had baggier clothes and your hair was in a bun with a few hairs sticking out and decorating your face. He hums, brushing those hairs back behind your ears.

"I think you're exaggerating considering that we've dated for a while." He raises an eyebrow at you, smirking when he sees that you really think you look messy or bad for just wearing something more comfortable when cleaning. Nothing wrong with that and definitely not making you look ugly in his eyes.

"Still, what if you caught me mid-performance? This playlist doesn't play around, alright? It's classic after classic."

Nanami laughs softly, seeing how serious your face is with your words telling him that you mean every word. Though, now that he thinks about it, he doesn't recognize the songs from the small snippet he heard through the door to the moment you paused the songs. It makes him curious about them.

"Classics?"

You nod before taking your phone and standing by his side to show him your playlist. It is after a couple of swipes down that you realize he can't even read the titles of the songs since they are in Spanish.

"In Latin America." You clarify, getting an idea. You hand him your phone, tilting your head down as to give him permission. "Choose one, we'll put it on right now while I change my clothes."

He takes the phone and raises a brow as he tries to gauge the unfamiliar songs. "I don't even know what I am reading, dear." He deadpans, making you chuckle.

"Then choose one randomly." You say, guiding him to your bedroom so you can pick your clothes.

He looks at the phone, looking through the album covers of the song. He recognizes some of the artists that are part of mainstream pop culture, Shakira being the easiest to recognize. Yet, his finger presses onto a song that he doesn't recognize at all.

But you do and it's obvious from the way you slowly turn to look at him and instantly melt into a light sway of your hips to match the song's slow and romantic rhythm.

"I always knew you were a romantic at heart but I didn't know it came naturally to you." You tease, taking out a shirt and jeans that were much more suitable to go out than the baggier and frankly unflattering clothes. "Let alone that, but you also chose a classic among classics."

Sabor A Mi. Now that's a real gem across Latin America and generations. Guitar strings fill the air with a romantic and sensual sense that warms up the room while the yearning lyrics are contracted by the singer's soft whispers. More than a classic, it's romance 101 in music.

"I take it I chose a good one then." He hums, placing the phone on your nightstand, turning around to face away from you as you change. To him, even if you dated for quite a while now, that didn't give him a right to look. Even if you insisted there was no problem and that you didn't mind, he still turned around out of respect for you. No matter how many times he has seen you out of those clothes, he still wanted to be the gentleman that you first met.

The pure intention made you smile and the song amplified those butterflies in your stomach.

Quickly changing out and into your clothes, you walk over to him, wrapping your arms around his waist and placing your chin on his shoulders. As you begin to sway on the spot with the music, you whisper, "A great one."

He's quick to follow your lead, letting you set the rhythm you have become so used to dancing after a lifetime of hearing boleros like this one. He doesn't have to understand the lyrics to understand how intimate the song is. The guitar strings and soft melodies tell him that enough. Enough to pull you closer to him as you two sway to the song.

He looks down at him, your head now against his shoulder with your eyes closed. He can see how relaxed your face is, the sun sweeping through your window and occasionally hitting your face with its light just enough to decorate your features. If his heart was struck by you once before, this moment served as a reminder of that.

"It's a nice song." He says softly, his hand running down your arm until it finds your hand. He entwines his fingers with yours.

You hum, looking up at him and lifting your head off his shoulder. "You certainly know how to choose them." You tease, stretching your arm as you separate your body from his, your hands connecting the two of you as you hold the other's.

He sees you smile, brightly and softly in a way that tugs his heart. God, you were so pretty. Plucked strings encourage him to pull you closer once more, seeing you spin until his arm is wrapped around you and your back meets his chest with a giggle.

God, he was so lucky to have you.

"I do." He wasn't talking about the song.

The song ends but you two continue to dance. Swaying and spinning in your bedroom without a care in the world. How could a match this heavenly happen against all odds? When neither of you thought you would date someone from a culture so different from your own?

Neither of you thought about that. Not right now when you were dancing so gently and oh so passionately at the same time. No words exchanged, just smiles and hums. Maybe a kiss here and there that either managed to steal. But words? No, just your phone playing songs about love you never thought you would live.

Oh, how wrong were you.

How wrong were you to think that when this moment showed that you were not only loving and being loved, but you were doing so in the way these songs made you feel. It was a dream. It was luck. It was a movie. It was music. It was him. Him.

"Please send me these songs later." He says, breaking the silence.

"You're gonna study these later?" You tease, chuckling at the idea of Nanami listening to songs he doesn't know what they are about.

"Maybe." He chuckles, lifting your hand as he spins you around. "You said they were classics, didn't you? I have to know about them if we're going to keep dancing like this."

You smile at him. After so many people were disinterested and even critical of your culture to the point that you felt like having to keep it private, he wanted it to be included in your relationship. Even celebrate it in a way. Why does it even come as a surprise when he always looked at you in awe whenever you spoke Spanish? Even if he didn't know what you said, he would always have this curiosity towards that part of you that was once criticized.

Nanami knew how to love you, but now it was clear that he knew how to love the culture you were so in love with too.

"You're right. You have quite the content to go over then. So do I. Not only do I have to go over Japanese culture, I also have to study a bit of Danish, don't I?"

He chuckled, pulling you closer to him and letting you two become one with the music once more. The world melting away with just the two of you existing in this very room.

Yeah, there are bumps in the road. Misunderstandings and uncertainties that could sour what you two had. But it never did. Not when he was so patient in sharing and learning. Not when you were so excited to know more and explain what made you you. Culture could be tricky, but for the two of you, it was what made your relationship so enjoyable. You may have had different upbringings but you were still similar enough to work well together.

Though it was something the two of you already knew, it was something that was confirmed to Nanami once he translated the song he just happened to choose by chance earlier today. Our souls have become close enough that I keep your flavor and you keep mine all well. It was funny how a song he just happened to tap on happened to describe why you two worked so well. You had different cultures that entwined together once you became a couple, having pieces of each other's culture embedded into the other.

He thought it was just a wonderful idea that it became one of his favorite songs that you've shown him.

Dating someone from another culture is interesting, scary even. But life was kind to you and let you meet Nanami, someone with whom you could unapologetically share your culture knowing that it would be as cherished as every other part of you. Someone who made it easy to share both cultures until you created your own. A unique culture that was both him and you.

A culture that tasted of both you and him because of how much you loved each other and stayed by your side.

Neither of you would have it another way.

[kleopatra45]

Hello i hope u are enjoying your summer 💕

I have already red your observations about sun as darakarka in 10th house my friend has this placement in her chart she married her boss in work last winter and he is like workaholic 🤪🤗

So what placements indicate an interclass marriage?

And what about 7th house ruler ( Aries) in 2nd House(scorpio)? Jupiter in 7th house.

Thank you! I hope you're having a lovely summer too! 🌞 I have mercury darakaraka in 10th house as well 😬

Indications of Interclass Marriage in Astrology:

Interclass marriages—where partners come from different social, economic, or cultural backgrounds—can be indicated by several factors in a natal chart. Here are some placements to consider:

Venus in the 12th House:

Venus, the planet of love and relationships, in the 12th house can indicate unconventional or secretive relationships. This placement might also point to marriages that cross social or economic boundaries.

Rahu in the 7th House:

Rahu, the North Node of the Moon, often brings unusual or unexpected circumstances. In the 7th house (house of marriage), it can indicate a partner from a different background, potentially leading to an interclass marriage.

Saturn in the 7th House:

Saturn in the 7th house can suggest a partner who is older, more mature, or from a different social class. This placement often brings a sense of duty or responsibility into the relationship, which might reflect the challenges of an interclass union.

Jupiter or Venus in the 9th House:

The 9th house relates to higher learning, spirituality, and long-distance journeys, including marriages that involve crossing cultural or social boundaries. Jupiter or Venus here could indicate marriage to someone from a different class or culture.

Connections Between 7th and 12th Houses:

If the ruler of the 7th house (marriage) is placed in the 12th house, or if there are significant aspects between these houses, it could suggest a marriage that involves sacrifice, secrecy, or crossing traditional boundaries, potentially indicating an interclass marriage.

7th House Ruler (Aries) in the 2nd House (Scorpio):

This placement has specific implications for marriage and partnerships:

Aries is ruled by Mars, which brings energy, passion, and sometimes conflict to relationships. As the ruler of the 7th house, it suggests that relationships are dynamic, possibly impulsive, and require a strong sense of individuality and independence.

When the ruler of the 7th house is placed in the 2nd house, it indicates that marriage and partnerships are strongly connected to finances, values, and material security. The partner might play a significant role in managing or influencing the person's wealth and resources.

Since Scorpio is on the 2nd house cusp, there may be intensity, transformation, or power struggles related to money within the marriage. The relationship could involve joint finances, inheritance, or deep emotional ties linked to material security.

Scorpio brings depth, intensity, and sometimes secrecy or control to the areas it influences. In the context of the 2nd house, this could mean that the person or their partner has a strong focus on financial security, possibly leading to transformational financial experiences in the marriage.

Jupiter in the 7th house suggests a partner who is generous, optimistic, and possibly wise or spiritually inclined. This placement is often associated with a happy and prosperous marriage.

Jupiter can also indicate that the person may marry someone from a different cultural or religious background, adding to the idea of an interclass or intercultural marriage.

The relationship may bring opportunities for growth, expansion, and learning, particularly in areas related to justice, ethics, or higher knowledge.

This placement tends to bring luck and positivity to relationships. Marriages under this influence often lead to personal growth and a broader perspective on life.

This combination suggests a marriage where finances and values play a crucial role, with the potential for deep transformation and growth within the relationship.

©️kleopatra45

[elbiotipo]

Someone in the notes on your post about food in fantasy mentioned connection between at least early modern production of sugar and colonialism and slavery, and while I 100% agree that it's something that should be known, I think that if you want to have lighthearted fantasy setting there are definitely ways to work around this.

Like sugar is also produced from sugar beet. I don't know could it be done without modern equipment (production started at the very end of 18th century so while industrial equipment was primitive it was), but like you may do something with it, like some wizards developing production technology.

In the same vein, crop exchange in the Old World was mostly peaceful, or at least it wasn't due to slavery. Like rice was already grown in Egypt in 1000 BCE and made its way to Spain by 7th century CE. Bananas were grown in Turkey by 15th century CE. And tons of agricultural goods come from West Asia both ways. What I am trying to say is that if your world has equivalent of Americas your Europeans* could have just acquired potatoes and corn without colonization (because they were more ethical than irl or because they didn't have resources for conquest or because American nations were strong enough to stop them). Like potatoes and such are just crops, sailors could have picked them as a supplies and then someone decided to grow them at home.

This is like a suggestion specifically if you want to have a world for costume drama without dealing with heavy themes. I would suggest describing it specifically to point that out, and I can't say that it's very politically aware but definitely not worse than "they just have it" or "yes there are overseas colonies but pay it no mind".

*Because that's usually the case in examples that are discussed, from what I heard East Asian fantasy set in East Asia also suffers from this for the same reason, but I didn't read enough of it to say

Let me say you make real good points and I broadly agree with you. I do think the history of colonialism and where our foods came from is important (I do research that so no doubt). And I also agree that sometimes, those themes are too difficult to board properly, especially in a lighthearted story.

However, in fiction, it's not so much that I want people to do more "clean" ways of getting those crops. Many people told me "well, what if they get it through trade, or what if they got it through magical portals and such" my point is not that you find a "colonialist free" way to have potatoes in your setting, my point is that every crop in real life has a history behind them, and when you place them in your setting, I think you should consider that. Not only because you will learn about real life and its history, but also because of the storytelling potential.

I mean, I do have "worldbuilding fundamentalist" in my bio, and I think even if you don't sketch the entire world, you should at least know where your heroes are. Much of modern fantasy loves to adopt the "medieval" aesthetic, while in fact presenting a world with widespread trade, urbanization, a growing artisan class, etc. (I've done a longer rant about it here). Those things aren't just aesthetic choices, they are different societies that have different dynamics and they do affect the kind of plots and characters you might make on them.

I don't think fantasy should shy away from exploring themes such as imperialism and colonialism, trade and politics, intercultural contact and social change. One reason why I'm so insistent with the theme of crops and trade is that it's because it's emblematic of those issues. Sure, you don't want to explain the potatoes or chocolate in your setting, whatever. Don't you WANT to, though? Don't you want to explore beyond the pseudo-medieval aesthetic, and explore what an American or African -inspired setting might look like? Of course, you could and should also make your own new settings, but exploring actual history, geography, biology (at the broadest term, natural history) will make you a better worldbuilder and a better writer, AND also let you learn more about the world.

Sorry if this rant is a bit unfocused, just woke up from a nap after some wine, but this is why I'm so insistent with the stories that can arise just by considering the crops in your setting. Imagine what else can you write.

[dvrkmcon]

hi there, folks! i'm looking for some 1x1 rp partners to write on discord. i'm she/her 25+ and exclusively rp sapphic muses against f/nb. tend to take a bit to reply since my schedules are a bit all over the place, so i just ask for patience.

!!! am i allowed to fc-hunt here? because most of my mamamoo rps died over this past year and yet i still have sooooo much muse for them! being idolverse or just using them as fcs (au or oc), i'm begging right now!

— love headcanons, moodboards, playlists and all the aesthetics we can have! — currently i’m leaning more towards pre-established relationships; angst and domestic/urban slice of life (it's easier on my lil busy tired brainnn). i do love some complicated relationships and flawed characters too. — heavy angst? yes. pain? please. our muses yelling and crying? SURE! but i do prefer some hurt/comfort over just suffering and toxic forever. — i do idolverse & au, but i have a few ocs i'm willing to rp as well! they need some love :') — semi-lit to lit. i won't deny it's easier AND FASTER to write short paras and texting threads, but i'd love some longer paras too. i enjoy writing multiple threads at the same time, if you're into that.

as mentioned,,, my prefered fcs to write are from mamamoo and also girls' generation, but i can play against anyone you want! feel free to throw your ocs at us~!

♡ dynamics i love: enemy to lovers, friends to lovers, enemy/friends with benefits, exes, affairs, non-famous/famous, fan/idol, intercultural relationships dynamics, memory loss/amnesia, oblivious mutual pining, sexting, kink exploration, hurt/comfort, baby queer/experienced queer.

that's it! hope we can have fun together~ just send me a message or like this if interested, please? ^~^

[sotiriabellou]

In sum, macro structures, traditional notions of national identity, and the legal dynamics of citizenship complicate how adult TCKs discursively relate to the complex notion of belonging. The struggle for visas, the quagmire of legal citizenship, assumptions of repatriation, and ascriptions based on nationality and appearances can impact the meaning-making process surrounding belonging for adult TCKs and its discursive negotiations. Furthermore, when one is not legally able to live in a country that possesses all the affective and cognitive associations with home, the feeling of cultural bewilderment is compounded, impacting an adult TCK’s sense and discursive negotiations of belonging.

Adult third culture kids and sojourner intercultural communication: Exploring belonging through a multilevel approach (Elizabeth Evans, Soumia Bardhan)

[rishikul-123]

Exploring International Board Schools in Delhi NCR: Is Rishikul Vidyapeeth the Right Choice?

Delhi NCR is a bustling region known for its dynamic blend of cultural heritage and modern lifestyle. Among its many attractions, the area is home to some of India's most prestigious educational institutions. For parents seeking an international standard of education for their children, the region offers a plethora of choices. One notable name that often comes up in discussions is Rishikul Vidyapeeth. But is it the right choice for your child? Let's delve into the details. The Rise of International Board Schools in Delhi NCR International board schools have gained immense popularity in recent years. These schools offer a curriculum that is globally recognized, providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a competitive world. The focus is not just on academic excellence but also on developing well-rounded individuals who are ready to take on global challenges. What Makes Rishikul Vidyapeeth Stand Out?

Curriculum Rishikul Vidyapeeth offers an international curriculum that is designed to meet global standards. The school follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which is renowned for its rigorous academic framework and emphasis on critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, and intercultural understanding. This curriculum ensures that students are well-prepared for higher education and future career opportunities.

State-of-the-Art Facilities The school boasts state-of-the-art facilities that provide an enriching learning environment. From modern classrooms equipped with the latest technology to extensive libraries and well-maintained sports facilities, Rishikul Vidyapeeth ensures that students have access to all the resources they need to excel in various fields.

Experienced Faculty One of the key strengths of Rishikul Vidyapeeth is its experienced and dedicated faculty. The teachers are not only experts in their respective fields but also trained to deliver the international curriculum effectively. They are committed to nurturing each student's potential and fostering a love for learning.

Holistic Development Rishikul Vidyapeeth believes in the holistic development of students. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, music, and drama, ensuring that students have ample opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills. This holistic approach helps in the overall development of students, making them well-rounded individuals.

Global Exposure The school provides numerous opportunities for students to gain global exposure. From international exchange programs to participation in global competitions, Rishikul Vidyapeeth ensures that students are well-versed with different cultures and perspectives, preparing them to thrive in a globalized world. Why Choose an International Board School in Delhi NCR? Opting for an international board school in Delhi NCR comes with several advantages: Quality Education: International board schools adhere to high academic standards, ensuring that students receive a quality education that is recognized worldwide. Global Perspective: These schools emphasize global awareness and intercultural understanding, preparing students to become global citizens. College Readiness: The rigorous curriculum prepares students for the challenges of higher education, making them attractive candidates for top universities around the world. Personalized Learning: With smaller class sizes and a focus on individual attention, international board schools can cater to the unique learning needs of each student. Conclusion Choosing the right school for your child is a crucial decision that can shape their future. Rishikul Vidyapeeth, with its international curriculum, experienced faculty, and commitment to holistic development, stands out as a prominent choice among international board schools in Delhi NCR. However, it's essential to visit the school, understand its ethos, and assess whether it aligns with your child's needs and aspirations. In the end, the right school is one that not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures the overall growth and development of your child, preparing them to face the world with confidence and competence. By focusing on the unique features of Rishikul Vidyapeeth and highlighting the benefits of international board schools in Delhi NCR, this blog aims to provide valuable insights for parents making this important decision.

[obstinaterixatrix]

I do have qualms abt the way the message that one post is framed (the one about not harassing east asian artists that migrate to tmblr) but the thing is on twt there have been so much weird harassment stuff based on misunderstandings (like how jp and cn (and I think kr?) artists use ‘cp’ as an abbreviation for ‘couple’ but it has a completely different implication in eng), and the critique about the post using ‘east asian’ as a monolith is just. weird bad faith reading in the context of intercultural fandom dynamics. lots of media export from those place’s specifically. well there are certain east asian cultures that don’t have that relationship with global pop culture, but it feels like a nitpick. well in any case it feels weird to me to take a different argument from a random post and have it be weird callout post lite for a societal issue about someone’s individual phrasing/misguided efforts. or is east asian falling out of terminology to use I actually have no idea what the argument was

[murderbot-moodboard]

Currently reading through the StarBridge series by A.C. Crispin, and they're really good so far! A lot of the alien intercultural dynamics that I love in my scifi, and fun complex female main characters. The first book, StarBridge, is a really good book, but if you're romance-repulsed it may not be to your taste since it has a prominent hetero romance subplot throughout, though it's handled in a way that's more humanist/feminist than Hallmark.

But I really want to talk about the second book, Silent Dances, which is especially cool because the main character is Deaf and communicates in sign languages (both human and alien) throughout most of the book, which is important to the plot. The book clearly takes care to represent common experiences of Deaf people, including having hearing people not understand why a Deaf person wouldn't feel the need to have their hearing "fixed," and ways that hearing people can be insensitive or rude when talking with a Deaf person. (I'm not Deaf, but I've had friends who are, and the book seems to represent accurately what they've said about Deaf experiences.)

The scifi tech used to overcome some of the human and alien language barriers has some similarities to the tech in the latest episode of Doctor Who S2, and it similarly acts as a supplement without completely erasing the need for/practicality of signing. Unlike Aliss in the DW episode, the main character in the book, Tesa, can't easily lip read and almost never speaks with her mouth (I think she only does so a couple times in order to swear). The book gives insight into how different characters communicate more or less clearly with her and what it all feels like from her perspective.

Another important thing about Tesa is that she grew up immersed in Indigenous American cultures (two if I recall correctly) with her family. Her traditions and spirituality are essential parts of her which she listens to and honors throughout the book in ways that seem accurate and respectful to my limited knowledge. The book was first published in 1990 and still holds up extremely well to current sensibilities. I'm honestly surprised I'd never heard of it until recently. So yeah, if you're interested in a scifi book with a Deaf and Indigenous American woman who befriends aliens and does lots of other badass stuff throughout the book, you should definitely consider picking up Silent Dances!

[love-synchro]

Learning Through Love: “Embracing Relationships Across Cultures”

Yeah, in a more networked world, love knows no borders. “Learning Through Love” is like that brightly painted paper airplane, zigzagging through relationships, dating, and love, bending across ethnic and cultural differences, and unfolding how such experiences might open our eyes to new traditions, widen our understanding, and enlarge our ability to live more fully.

Imagine falling in love with someone from a different background, one which not only brings joy but is a gateway to a new and vibrant culture. Every date is an adventure, learning and discovering new things. You can get to enjoy an exotic meal, perhaps a foreign festival, or even learn a few words of a foreign language. This mix of love and cultural exchange makes a living, dynamic riot which is very exciting.

It is the chance to handle the differences and look for the similarities with someone you date from a different ethnicity. It is your golden opportunity to challenge your preconceived stereotypes and false notions, enhancing your sense of empathy and respect for diversity. Both of the participants bring their respective points of view and traditions, which combine into one rich experience that broadens both horizons.

However, intercultural love does not always go smoothly. From time to time, a misunderstanding or cultural clash may appear, yet most of the time these hurdles can be jumped over with open communication and mutual respect. Tackling the differences with curiosity, not judgment, in fact, can even make couples more solid and united.

The beauty of intercultural love lies in its power to transcend bounds and bring people together. It shows that even in our differences we are all humankind. Love teaches us to appreciate different backgrounds as a way to richness and brings unity and harmony into the world.

“Learning Through Love” is not so much a story about love and romance as it is a narrative of the deep, experiential learning of the impact one individual can have upon another. It is about becoming more open-hearted and open-minded, learning, growing, and embracing the unique mosaic of the human experience.

And while you roam in that universe of love, please remember there’s a world out there to be won. Embrace the journey, cherish the learning, and let your love story be a testament to the power of cultural unity.

💖 Share Your experiences. that’ll be wonderful!…..Heataker👌