Musings on Intercultural communications

In my week aboard the Mariner, I've come to realize just how much we rely on language, both vocal and physical, to communicate. A person's stature can relay so much about their mood, their thoughts, their goal. Certain movements and sounds are constant across all languages and cultures, such as shouting, pointing, and waving arms in the air madly.

The only reason I've noticed, naturally, is because I can't speak Mandarin and have to rely on other communication methods to get my point across with our guests. Particularly on the matter of recording a copyrighted performance. (when I say 没, I MEAN 没. )Thankfully I can sign up to take Rosetta stone language courses onboard, so I've done so. I've learned about three words in Mandarin Chinese, (Hello, No, and Thank you) but it's not quite enough to get me by when someone asks how to get to the restroom.

So stay in school kids, and take those language courses. You never know when they will come in handy.

(and I promise I will get pictures for you all eventually, but the weather's been lousy and I'm stuck on board as the Duty staff for this week.)