Question

Robyn is an Australian currently working as an English teacher in Portugal. One of her students is a young doctor named Antonio, whom she finds very open and interesting, and she enjoys her lessons with him. Eventually, Antonio invites her to his home to have dinner and meet his family. When she arrives, Robyn is introduced to Antonio’s wife, briefly meets the couple’s two young children, and then is taken through to the dining room to commence dinner. She is surprised to find that the meal is brought out not by Antonio’s wife but by a maid. Robyn comments that she did not think the family would need a maid in an apartment that to her seems quite small. As the maid is serving her, Robyn, to be pleasant, asks her questions about her family and how long she has been working for the family. The maid, however, seems reluctant to reply and becomes nervous. When, a little later, she accidentally drips some sauce on Robyn, Antonio speaks to her sharply and tells her to stay in the kitchen and his wife will serve the food. The rest of the meal is eaten in a strained atmosphere.

Pull in your own beliefs, norms and values to explain about this intercultural scenario.

Answer 1

This intercultural scenario where Robyn (A Australian women) and Antonio (A local to Portugal) has different family and dining approach must be balanced with the fact that whatever the mindsets, cultural practices of people etc. They need food, friendly atmosphere and cooperative setup in the setups. Almost, every culture has arrangement of people who serve, help and assists higher income family /smaller family but working professionals and larger family as per the customs, traditions and social settings. It is ethical to offer some domestic works to other low income family so that they can survive and live their life too. Yes, it is a fear that families involve in exploiting the maid, peon or other form of domestic workers.

What I will suggest to Robyn that she should not questioned openly to maid or any such sections of the society as it hampers their confidence or they might feel downward. Instead, she must offer some gifts and other thing which proves to be helpful to that maid. Even, people should try to adopt the practices of other cultures without making any comments. One can bring better aspects of a particular culture and left the undesired things.