Awkward Moments Survey

1. Awkward Moments With American Nationals

Living and working abroad is not easy. It can be very stressful trying to function at a high level in a second (or third) language, trying to behave in a culture which has different rules for behavior.

Please take a few minutes to answer these six questions and share a story that could help Americans understand what it's like to live and work away from one's native land.

1. LOCATION: Where are you originally from? (If you'd prefer not to mention your country of origin, just give the continent.)

LOCATION: Where are you originally from? (If you'd prefer not to mention your country of origin, just give the continent.)

2. WORKPLACE INCIDENT: Please tell about a difficult moment at work with Americans. Include the setting, the participants, and other pertinent data. Was it difficult because of something someone said? Something someone did?

WORKPLACE INCIDENT: Please tell about a difficult moment at work with Americans. Include the setting, the participants, and other pertinent data. Was it difficult because of something someone said? Something someone did?

3. OUTCOME OF WORK INCIDENT: What was the result of this incident? (Choose as many responses as apply.)

OUTCOME OF WORK INCIDENT: What was the result of this incident? (Choose as many responses as apply.) I felt embarrassed.

People laughed.

I felt inadequate.

Nobody said anything.

I stopped participating.

Tasks or deadlines were missed.

I felt insulted.

Someone felt insulted by me.

My boss (or co-workers) thought I was stupid.

My boss (or co-workers) thought I was incompetent.

My boss (or co-workers) thought I was rude.

Other (please specify)

4. SOCIAL INCIDENT: Please tell about a difficult moment in public or at a private gathering with Americans. Include the setting, the participants, and other pertinent data. Was it difficult because of something someone said? Something someone did?

SOCIAL INCIDENT: Please tell about a difficult moment in public or at a private gathering with Americans. Include the setting, the participants, and other pertinent data. Was it difficult because of something someone said? Something someone did?

5. OUTCOME OF SOCIAL INCIDENT: What was the result of this incident? (Choose as many responses as apply.)

OUTCOME OF SOCIAL INCIDENT: What was the result of this incident? (Choose as many responses as apply.) I felt embarrassed.

People laughed.

I felt inadequate.

Nobody said anything.

I walked away.

People didn't get what they needed from me.

I felt insulted.

Someone felt insulted by me.

People thought I was stupid.

People thought I was incompetent.

People thought I was rude.

Other (please specify)

6. What did you learn from the incidents in #2 or #4 above? How have they changed your life, your outlook, or your behavior?

What did you learn from the incidents in #2 or #4 above? How have they changed your life, your outlook, or your behavior?

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