Do you guys feel particularly anxious when you are around foreigners or in a foreign country?

[kelden]

Yes I do, but only if they are totally foreigners to my cultural background. If they are from a similar country and speak the same language then they are not more than any other typical stranger for me. Is an anxiety that also arouse fascination for something completely foreign, I desire to learn more from them, but I don't want to offend them or be deemed as an utter ignorant.

 

[rootle]

Yes I do, but only if they are totally foreigners to my cultural background. If they are from a similar country and speak the same language then they are not more than any other typical stranger for me. Is an anxiety that also arouse fascination for something completely foreign, I desire to learn more from them, but I don't want to offend them or be deemed as an utter ignorant.

Yeah exactly. It's important to distinguish xenophobia from anxiety around foreigners. People who are anxious around foreigners may come of as rude but in truth they are just uncomfortable. The anxiety definitely comes from a pressure to not sound like an idiot in front of them, because it's so easy to come across as simple minded when you're around people of a very different culture. I guess we have to be more understanding of foreigners in our country and the anxiety they may be facing.

 

[Roscas]

Thanks for " I guess we have to be more understanding of foreigners in our country and the anxiety they may be facing." rootle I enjoy being around foreigners IF and WHEN I understand the language used and what is being said. Once I hear others speak in a language I do not understand and no one takes the time to translate or at least explain what was said, I begin to feel anxious and would rather take my graceful exit. What is the point of staying on if I am unable to participate by way of listening or conversing? I'd rather not impose myself and just leave.

 

[Laneorexorcist]

I don't have any issues when it comes to being around a foreign, I actually find it interesting because all the culture shock that they must have been into. But I definitely get kind of nervous/intimidated when I'm on a country that I'm not familiar with... I don't feel that sense of fitting in that I feel when I'm on my country, it's kind of weird. And of course, the language is always a barrier, I am a really shy person and talking in another language with people that I don't know makes me really, really nervous, Traveling to another country is always a challenge for me.

 

[SirJoe]

When there are foreigner guests in the office' date=' not only me but most of my colleagues are also anxious because we have to speak in straight English.You see, writing in English is different from speaking especially when there are many people around. I really can't say why I get tongue-tied when I have to speak to foreigners in the office. But when I am in a foreign country, I speak English very well and I can talk to anyone there (in that country). Maybe the orientation for us is to speak English only in school, well, I really cannot say why most of us are anxious when it comes to speaking straight English in the office. But at home, I don't have difficulty speaking in English. I really wonder. [/quote']
It could be because of the reason they are there, when ever people come into the office there main objective is business. Since everyone is on high level the last thing they want do is something wrong. So this can lead to the high levels of stress and anxiety. If someone comes from a foreign country it can be worse, the last thing anyone wants to do is make a cultural fo par so there is even added pressure.

 

[CarlosTL]

Just wondering' date=' I think some people do and I myself feel slightly uncomfortable around people from other cultures.[/quote']
I think it's more likely to feel anxious when you yourself are a foreigner. Immigration has been linked to higher incidence of anxiety especially in persons below 25.


That being said I do feel uncomfortable around tourists (not foreigners per se), not because of their origin or culture but because they're more likely to demand some sort of assistance or solicit a conversation. Especially that they tend to be jubilant and relaxed when you, as a non-tourist, are stressed, busy and always in a hurry to do your stuff and not in the mood to chat or even smile.

 

[JusApee]

I feel anxious when I hear foreigners around me, yeah. I feel like if I were to talk, they'd make fun of my English, even if my English sounds really good. I just have a feeling that whatever I'm going to say will sound awful and they will eventually laugh at me.

 

[MissTea]

I feel anxious when I hear foreigners around me' date=' yeah. I feel like if I were to talk, they'd make fun of my English, even if my English sounds really good. I just have a feeling that whatever I'm going to say will sound awful and they will eventually laugh at me.[/quote']
I hear you, but the ironic thing is that they are probably sitting there thinking the same thing, that they sound funny to you and you're probably laughing at them for the way they talk. Usually what we are thinking others are thinking about us is so far from the truth...

 

[rootle]

Thanks for " I guess we have to be more understanding of foreigners in our country and the anxiety they may be facing." rootle I enjoy being around foreigners IF and WHEN I understand the language used and what is being said. Once I hear others speak in a language I do not understand and no one takes the time to translate or at least explain what was said, I begin to feel anxious and would rather take my graceful exit. What is the point of staying on if I am unable to participate by way of listening or conversing? I'd rather not impose myself and just leave.

Well I don't think you quite got what I meant. Basically if you were to see a foreigner around your town looking a bit nervous and if they ask you a question or something, it'd be nice to be a bit considerate. As someone who suffers from anxiety you can empathize with people who are suffering it from it too. I'm not saying you're obliged to hang out with them or anything like that.

 

[thecorinthian]

Oh yeah, all the time I think it comes with the territory with it being a new place and all. You really have to adapt or die.. socially. It's an anxiety that we all feel at one point in our lives, I think just don't let it ruin your travel plans or your whole life if you're battling with it. All we need is time, love and support to be the people we've always wanted to be. If all else fails get a therapist.

 

[Roscas]

It is good to note that anxiousness is may be felt by both. If only we can get away with the fear or apprehension of being gauged or judged which trigger anxiety, we'd be comfortable enough to reveal ourselves to anyone and just be us in the presence of diverse culture, nationality, race, language, age, gender, etc. Life should not be so complicated and opportunities to know, mingle and learn from foreigners should be smooth and easy as ABC. Alas, it isn't so.