How to Approach Someone of a Different Race

Approaching someone of a different race can present certain difficulties such as language and cultural barriers. These barriers usually discourage a person from approaching the other person of different race. Since certain comments and gestures in one culture can be easily viewed as offensive in another culture the interested person usually keeps himself at bay. Cultural differences should never stop an individual from showing interest in others of a different race. Below I have included some simple tips on how to approach someone of a different race without offending them.

1. Avoid mimicking the person's language or accent. Some people are sensitive of their accent especially when they are speaking a language that is not native to them. People with accents know that their accent is noticeable when they speak and for that reason they do not want someone to remind them of how they sound. You should also avoid mimicking their language for example you should not make up random words to make it seem like you are speaking their language. The person might become offended and think that you are making a mockery of them.

2. Do not feed into stereotypes. There are stereotypes that pertain to every race in society, and sadly those stereotypes are glorified by the media so that people think they are true. If you use stereotypes as guidelines to approach someone you may greatly hurt and upset that person.

3. Avoid mimicking their traditional garb. Some individuals wear clothing that is significant to their culture for instance; an Indian woman may wear sari, Indian men may wear Kurta, an African man might wear a Dashiki and a Kufi and an African woman may wear the Kanga or Gomesi. These types of clothing pertain to their culture. If you were to mimic their style of dress with no true understanding of their culture you might come off as insensitive towards that person.

4. If you speak English do not ask the person if he/she speaks English. The question, Do you speak English? can be offensive and presumptuous to a person even though you may mean no harm. Instead of asking the person if he speaks English try to say something in English to the person. If the person responds to you back in English then you will know that they speak English. If they do not speak English they will let you know right away.

5. Do say hello and introduce yourself. If you notice someone of a different race that you are interested in you should go up and introduce yourself to that person. The person may come off as warm and receptive or he/she may come off as cold and uninviting. You will never know if you have a chance with that person if you do not gain the gumption to approach him/her and introduce yourself.

6. Learn about their culture. If you find that you are attracted to someone of a different race and you are certain that this person follows the traditions of their culture, you can do some research to learn more about their culture. It is important to realize that although someone looks a certain way it does not mean that they practice the beliefs of their culture. For instance, an Asian person might not follow traditional Asian culture he might be more Americanized, and if this were the case you would not want to approach this person thinking that he follows traditional Asian culture. This may offend him because he sees himself more as an American or as An Asian person deeply embedded in American culture.

7. Be yourself. It's easy to forget to be yourself. If you have to alter yourself in anyway that truly detracts from who you really are then maybe the person that you are chasing is not for you. Don't suppress your true identity because your true self will eventually manifest.