Let’s Go to Brunch
I met a gentleman the other day online and discovered that I found him very intriguing. He’s Saudi Arabian, very liberal, and well traveled. Naturally, as an outsider, his experiences are things I am very interested in learning about. The extent of my in-person travels have been within the United States, with most of the destinations being close to I-75. Because of this, I genuinely enjoy hearing other people’s stories.
We met for brunch the other morning and it was a really nice time. He was incredibly pleasant and thoughtful, consistently identifying different topics to connect on. At some point, I asked about Saudi Arabia and his experience growing up there. He was hesitant to talk about his homeland and I didn’t really understand why, so I pushed for a little more information.
A Lesson in Humility
It was my experience up to that point that most people are proud of the country they originate from, so I was confused. But, this gentleman was not a proud Saudi Arabian. He began to describe a life mired with strife, oppression, and abject poverty. He talked about living under an authoritarian regime. Because of this circumstance, he shared that the only opportunity he had to build a life for himself was to leave his homeland when he was 18. It was such an incredibly sad story.
I felt terrible about asking him to share his life from Saudi Arabia afterwards. Retrospectively, I could have approached the conversation without allowing my curiosity to get the best of me, without asking so many questions. Please know I share this story because, as an outsider, it is important to remember that while we are curious about the experiences of others, they are still human. The people we encounter have emotions and experiences they may not wish to share – and with good reason.
In the Future
My experience during that brunch is a lesson that will not be forgotten. Asking others about their unique life experiences is perfectly acceptable. It is natural to be curious. However, remembering when to be considerate of the human condition is a tool that can guide us as we explore different cultures and ways of life. We all deserve empathy.
Until next time…
Peace and love,
Jessica ❤️
