Attraction, Culture and Relationships

For a relationship to last, attraction is one ingredient that should be available in abundance. Indeed regardless of how two people met, whether it was a social function, at the park or on the internet, the two have to be attracted to each other before getting into a relationship.
Two people can be attracted to each other at different levels. The attraction can either be at an emotional level, physical, and/or at an intellectual level. Regardless of which level two people are drawn together, it will be the foundation of their relationship.
A relationship based on strong and mutual attraction can be able to withstand and overcome a lot of prejudices and stereotypes. People who are strongly attracted to each other consider most of the other things secondary in their relationship.
Relationship Development Stages
When two people meet in any dating environment, the first step towards a relationship is attraction. Both parties have to be drawn towards each other. If this is so, then the two will want to get close to each other and open up. For them to be able to explore each other in depth, they will have to be communicating constantly. Initial communication will involve asking and answering questions, sharing life experiences, exchanging stories, compliments, emphasizing, been there for each other, offering support and reassurance, maybe even throwing in a piece of advice.
As this process is repeated between two people, you start to experience some compatibility and develop a fondness for each other which grows stronger with passage of time.
Challenges
All this might sound all rosy but every relationship is bound to experience some degree of challenges. The challenges are greater for those who have been in previous relationship which didn’t work out. Such people will more often than not be hanging onto some past history. Add current habits, beliefs and values to the past emotional and psychological scars to that and the whole relationship issue becomes very complex.
It is not easy to reconcile ones’ beliefs, values, attitudes and life experiences in a relationship even if two people belong to one national culture.
What is culture?
Culture is an established system of attitudes, beliefs, values, traditions and behavior that regulate and govern the way of life within a certain set of people in their environment. So deep is culture enshrined in our psyche that we go about our everyday day activities oblivious of the role it plays in our lives both at different levels.
When it comes to relationships, bridging the cultural divide is bound to be a daunting task for anyone. This is because we hold our own prejudices which we might not even be aware of.
Reconciling the Gaps
For multi cultural relationships to work out, both parties have to be willing to accommodate each others diverse background. The process entails self examination with a few to better understand your partner. Begin by identifying the stereotypes you may have in relation to your partner’s culture. Now given that stereotypes may or may not be true, it is important to carry out some research. Ask your partner questions, read and acquire information from relevant sources.
Relatives and Friends
Although your friends and relatives may not approve you seeing someone from a different culture, listen to what they have to say. Some may approve your decision. For those with a different point of view do not discount their opinion wholesale just like you should not take in all that is said.