Joseph: Bako, you have been living in the United States for about two years. How is it living in a foreign country?
Bako: Well, it is a challenge of my life. Of course I miss my family and friends, but I go back to Georgia during breaks. So it makes my life easier and much more pleasant.
Joseph: So you came here two years ago, what was the first cultural shock you experienced here in the USA?
Bako: I want to share this funny story about my experience in Washington, D.C. When I went to D.C., my friend was campaigning for a political party, and he went door to door and gave booklets to many families, so one day I decided to go with him, and after a while he asked me to do his job, knock on a door and talk to the family. Well I did not know that “sir” meant “man” and “ma’am” meant “woman,” so when a woman opened the door I said “Hi, Sir!” and she replied: “I am not a Sir, I am a woman, little boy.” So I was shocked, did not know what to do. My friend was laughing so hard I could not even apologize, so the woman closed the door and we left.
Joseph: Great story, Bako. I hope you learned a lesson from that.
