tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7243324829344386718.post3765545050614499935..comments2023-08-02T05:25:15.013-07:00Comments on Living to Give: On The Georgian Home FrontTara Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10453845364635671063noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7243324829344386718.post-44651489311162383452010-11-16T09:58:59.438-08:002010-11-16T09:58:59.438-08:00Thanks for all your advice! Things are a bit bette...Thanks for all your advice! Things are a bit better with the family at the moment. I appreciate your thoughts on my father especially. I definitely want to have that feelings talk with them. I think it could help!<br /><br />I would love to answer your questions! <br /><br />Oh and sorry I took so long in responding...I saw your comment on Emily's blog hahaTara Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10453845364635671063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7243324829344386718.post-82316811567894592742010-11-01T00:35:24.554-07:002010-11-01T00:35:24.554-07:00Tara,
> I never thought personal space was som...Tara,<br /><br />> I never thought personal space was something I <br />> so desperately needed<br />I can understand your feelings - in States a child has his/her own separate room. As you've discovered, privacy matter is not quite applicable in Georgia, especially in province. They just simply are not aware of such a concept and would have difficulty to understand it - why would a family member want to hide from other family members? And this kind of behavior is projected on guests too.<br /><br />> I'm still not sure if they are fight ALL the <br />> time or it just sounds like it<br /><br />It sounds like fighting but really it is not - in western Georgia yelling is the way people communicate with each other. ;-) Let me tell you a local anecdote:<br />---<br /> - a guy from Kakheti (where you've being last weekend) comes visit his relatives to western Georgia (particularly in Guria). It is morning time the night after hi arrived, he is resting in his host's yard and suddenly neighbor runs/walks-in, asks something and even before he answers, runs away. Then another neighbor comes with the same behavior, finally host's family members start run around screaming at each other and everybody else.<br /><br />So he watches this situation turns to the hosts and asks - 'listen, when someone here goes crazy how do you can figure this out'?<br />---<br /><br />The last thing - about your host dad. This:<br /><br />> I can tell he is a bit bitter that I'm coming <br />> and going whenever I please<br /><br />is the key of his behavior. I think that you are in a traditional (read - conservative) Georgian family where every family member (including you) have their own place. And as you already know in Georgian family father is figurehead despite the fact that household is run by women. <br /><br />I think this is first time he encounters such kind of behavior in his family - when someone comes and leaves without his formal approval and somehow undermines his authority. This puts him in uneasy situation because he simple does not know how to treat you.<br /><br />My suggestion would be - try to talk with your host mother and if she can not understand enough English get someone who is fluent in English and Georgian to translate. <br /><br />Just ask her that if you have done something not knowing local rules and if such kind of behavior affected them. I do not mean that you should apologize for your behavior - try to find out if something does not 'feel good' for them. You should also share your feelings if you have something to tell - it would help in bonding. <br /><br />Please note that it is Georgian thing not telling their guests if something is wrong, even if something is really going wrong. You have to be proactive and ask them.<br /><br />I understand that it is totally different then what we are used to here in States but it is not that difficult. ;-)<br /><br />Once again, good luck in your great endeavor and please share with us, your readers your experience.<br /><br />P.S. One last question/request - I've asked Michelle to answer three questions about her experience in Georgia. Would you mind to do the same one you have free minute. Thanks in advance.Invisiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10708078479685652775noreply@blogger.com