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Ivan Agüero, a senior social psychology major at Park, has been learning to balance two cultures throughout his life. His mother and father both grew up in Mexico, but Agüero has spent his entire life in the United States, as a U.S. citizen.
This significant exposure to different cultures has given him a unique perspectives and abilities. Agüero said he thinks learning respect at a young age is the starting point of where the Mexican and American cultures differ.
“Respecting your elders, that’s the important thing, always,” said Agüero. “It doesn’t matter if you’re somebody I just met, and you’re older, we’re taught to say ‘hello, how are you? Nice to meet you my name is…’ If it’s a female, you shake their hand and a kiss on the cheek. If it’s a male, it’s like a firm handshake or a hug depending on if you know them or not.”
Agüero said one of the earliest examples of him learning American and Mexican culture was in school when he greeted other students. He learned despite being taught to kiss women on the cheek during a greeting at home, in America these greetings are considered awkward and out of place.