Conversation Partner #2, A-R, for first meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 5:00-6:30 pm
We exchanged a bunch of text messages trying to get together and settle on me dropping by his apartment. When I arrive, there is confusion because there are 5 male Arabic (Kuwaiti?) students and 1 female (Brazilian?) guest in the apartment drinking coffee, and several have very similar names. Only one seems to be fairly strong in English. After a few minutes of introductions, it is clear my CP is asleep in another room and my texts were going to a friends phone. Everyone wanted to talk, though, and I was asked about a diverse group of topics while I awaited my CP to return to the living.
When he came out, we met formally and laughed about the confusion. Then we all sat down for some coffee and dates that were really good. The conversation was still with the group, but I tried to focus on A-R. He is a foundation student and was glad to have supportive friends around, but it kind of defeated the purpose. Because this was our first meeting, I did not insist on moving. By engaging everyone, he would still benefit and I would definitely get a culture lesson.
A-R was quiet at first, but others were willing to tell me about family in Kuwait, and one student made up a little story about being married with children to see how much I would believe. I was not sure who he was speaking about, but I made a joke about my mistake (from experience). We talked a lot about relationships and cultural differences they wanted explained. I was not prepared to address divorce rates, poverty, political leaders, nutrition and more in a few minutes.
Gradually, A-R was encouraged to question me but it was hard to understand his accent sometimes without help. The public setting could be embarrassing, too. I was trying to be only positive and encouraging. I asked him to meet me alone next time and we agreed on the Starbucks location (for more coffee) next week.
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