In case you’re thinking me “stereotypical” after my recent post, I may as well continue. All of this insight is based on thirty years of experience and observation. Using that as a basis, additional thoughts here:
1. They buy you a present when you visit and stay with them rather than the other way around.
2. They often give another gift, the kind you would never expect, like a song, a trip to visit “special” friends, because they thought about a valuable connection or more.
3. On the gift part, it often involves a “huge” sharing of a piece of literature or music.
4. They want to dance in a dive, in a palace, anywhere.
5. When you share a new purchase (whether it is a pair of boots, a necklace or a dress), they take great interest in the purchase. They will often go a step further and ask about the kind of material, the designer, etc.
6. It takes a little longer for trust to develop, but when it does, you have a sense that they’ll be around, they’re comitted and not just for a short term conversation, deal or conversation.
7. They have less “junk” and “stuff” around them, but what they do have is often of higher quality.
8. I love the fact that their places, while often much smaller than American flats, are full of bookcases, music and interesting art regardless of how much money they make or their social economic status. It is an integral part of their life and it shows in their everyday conversation, their clothes, their knowledge and interest in literature, art, history, politics, music. And on and on.
And on and on.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
