Iceberg View

Some of the common feelings and emotions that I feel as an individual when I meet someone different from is, social anxiety and shyness. I often feel fear, nervousness, and apprehension when I have a first encounter with someone different then I am and someone I do not know. I often am affected by this feeling which makes me think that i might do something or say something embarrassing or humiliating. I strongly feel this is a huge problem of mine. These emotions and thoughts undermine my ability to interact with others. When I meet someone different for the first time my feelings and thoughts are mainly pertaining to me and not the other individual. i assume that the other individual will see my weaknesses, or awkwardness which leads me to feel dismissed, ignored, criticized, or rejected.

As a result of my social anxiety and shyness my attention is dominated by these feelings. Therefore, there is less attention given to focus on anything, or anyone else. My thoughts, become bias and i interpret things in terms of how much they mean to me. Rather than thoughts being reflected towards the other thoughts of the individual towards me. My beliefs and assumptions are affected due to shyness. i approach individuals and groups of people of whom are different than I am with assumptions that will make me try to make things always seem positive and never negative. For example, if I am in a group conversation and it goes in the wrong direction. My main reaction is to try to make it go right. In retrospect, I avoid any conversation possible because of the fear if it going wrong. I see others as I assume they would see me. So my self-image confirms my belief and assumptions. Even though it is only my assumptions are not a reality.

In the latter when I push pass these personal emotions and thoughts, helps me as an individual when meeting someone different and of another race. I value different cultures and individuals. Whether Middle Eastern, Hispanic, Asian, African-American, Caucasian, etc. I am bale to involve myself in their social customs and norms that affect my behavior and thinking towards them. When i meet someone from a different culture or race I am stretched from own box of culture, thinking, and feelings I am encouraged to interact with these individuals. I see my new peers through the eyes of an iceberg...

Top of the Iceberg

Explicit- Customs, traditions, foods, language, history, and way of doing things.

Bottom of the Iceberg

Tactic- Values, beliefs, attitudes, worldview, presumptions, and way of thinking.

As I continue to learn and discuss new cultures, ethnic groups, and populations. I am looking forward to pushing pass my anxieties and assuming thoughts, will enable me to become more diverse in understanding different people and their struggles.