Interracial Marriage Challenges

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

I thought that the cultural (I prefer this term as the issues stem from where she was raised not her ethnicity) divide between US & PH was too small to be concerned about . . .

UNTIL

she landed in the US!

A lot of it I was aware of from having been married to her for almost 10 months and our on-going daily communications beyond that time.

Don't dismiss the differences or they will become problems.

I have no regrets, this first month together in the US has had some very rough spots but we've worked through them and I believe it is making the relationship stronger.

[chinese_mutt 11]

I thought that the cultural (I prefer this term as the issues stem from where she was raised not her ethnicity) divide between US & PH was too small to be concerned about . . .

UNTIL

she landed in the US!

A lot of it I was aware of from having been married to her for almost 10 months and our on-going daily communications beyond that time.

Don't dismiss the differences or they will become problems.

I have no regrets, this first month together in the US has had some very rough spots but we've worked through them and I believe it is making the relationship stronger.

True true... haha. You'll never really fully appreciate the difference unless you've finally landed and start building your life here.

I honestly still feel awkward going out to eat... man they ask you all these questions:

1. How do you want your steak cooked?

2. What sides do you want?

3. White or brown gravy?

4. Soup or salad?

5 What kind of soup or salad?

6. Do you want the dressing on the side?

Sheeessshhh!! okay that's just eating out.

There's tons more... tons and tons more that I have to get used to here... like you can't spank your kids.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

True true... haha. You'll never really fully appreciate the difference unless you've finally landed and start building your life here.

I honestly still feel awkward going out to eat... man they ask you all these questions:

1. How do you want your steak cooked?

2. What sides do you want?

3. White or brown gravy?

4. Soup or salad?

5 What kind of soup or salad?

6. Do you want the dressing on the side?

Sheeessshhh!! okay that's just eating out.

There's tons more... tons and tons more that I have to get used to here... like you can't spank your kids.

My wife was shocked at how clean everywhere seems to be and the fact that the garbage men actually take the garbage when we put it to the curb!

Another one was leaving mail in the mail box to send it. She asked how to mail a letter and I said just put the needed postage on it, deposit it in the mailbox and raise the flag. She couldn't believe it at first.

How about Cell Phone usage here & there, could it be more different?

I doubt I'll forget how uncomfortable she was the first time we bought a GALLON of laundry detergent together!

I know some of these don't sound like the "Racial/Cultural" differences as intended by the OP but they are the kind of things you'll have to deal with.

I once joked at the cash register how the grocery bill is higher since she arrived and she got so embarrassed that I though she'd murder me in my sleep that night but the comment wasn't anything to pay attention to here.

Here's my favorite one: In the Philippines there is such a loose concept of "being on time". For a 2pm appointment I tell her to be ready at 1pm and I'll pick her up by 1:30pm but when I arrive at 1:30 she still needs to get dressed an once even hopped in the shower when she should have been headed out the door already!