Once Upon a Meeting

A little extra time= a little bonus post this week. I like that!

An idea came to me last night, as I laid in insomnia-induced fog. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to introduce you to the process of meeting someone for the first time if you live in Central Asia.

Americans, of course, have their certain ways of getting to know someone, and it might go something like this:

#1- Hello, my name is Bob.

#2- Oh, nice to meet you! How long have you lived in the area?

#1- Oh about 3 years. I really like it here. So what line of work are you in?

#2- I'm in the construction business. What about you?

#1- (Fidgets with car keys to give the impression that he's ready to leave). Oh, I'm in banking. So, do you have family? Maybe we could get together sometime. (Never intending to AT ALL!)

#2- Sure do, have a wife and 3 beautiful daughters. Yeah, we'd like that. Let's BBQ sometime. (Thinking to self: I'll bet this guy never calls- so what if he doesn't?)

#1- OK, Fred, nice to have met you. See you again.

#2- (Thinks to self...) Oh brother... can't he even remember my name is Ned?


Ho-hum, no relationship established, no committments, no deep meanings whatsoever.

Let's have a look at how a typical first meeting might go if you lived in a culture where relationship is paramount. Knowing others is very important; a relationship is almost never casually regarded. Here's what an introductory process might look like:

#1- Hello! My name is Bolat.

#2- Hello! How are you? I'm Marat. So, what year were born in? (This must be established very first, so they know HOW to talk to each other- word forms change according to the age of whom you are talking to.)

#1- I'm from 1967. How about you?

#2- I'm 1954.

#1- So, where are you from?? Are you from this city?

#1- I'm from a village north of here. My clan is XXXX, what is yours?

#2- I'm from YYYYY clan- hey our kids could get married!

#1- Do you own healthy animals to give as a dowry? (HA, ha, laugh, laugh, back slap, etc...)

#2- (Lies) Oh yes! Lots! So what kind of work do you do?

#1- Oh, I work at the bank. I just bought a Mercedes! Is your salary "enough"?

#2- Yeah, I made $8,000 a year working in the oil field.

#1- Good, good! Is your house warm? We just hooked up to gas, did you?

#2- No, we burn coal, but it keeps us warm. Well, here's my phone number. If you ever need anything give me a call! (Fully knowing that #1 will!)

#1- OK, I'll do that! Good to meet you! Good bye!

There you have a typcial first meeting! Very different I'd say from what we're used to! Food for thought...

Until Next Time,

Your SteppeSister