Last weekend, I got the chance to meet up with a group of friends whom I hadn’t seen for months. After the usual pleasantries, the conversation steered away from catch-up banter to more substantial stuff. As I was regaling the group on my recent trip to France, and how I was blown away by Claude Monet’s house and garden in Giverny, someone chirped in asking, “What’s Monet?”
It was a palm-to-face moment for me. I salute her for jumping in to clarify something she didn’t know as not many people are brave enough to do that. How else can we learn, right?
Do not get me wrong. I am far from being a snob and will be the first to admit that there are plenty of things that I am completely ignorant about. However it didn’t stop me from feeling just a tad astonished that someone as brilliant as her, a highly sought after accountant, did not know one of the greatest Impressionist painters.
# Go to museumsDo not turn your nose up at an afternoon at the museum. Even if you are not privy to art, it is still a wonderful way to be exposed to culture. The only way to learn something new is to open your eyes and your mind to what is right in front of you.
Many museums do not even charge an entry fee, and even if they do, it is generally the same price as heading for a movie. Instead of watching Liam Neeson reprise his role for the umpteenth time, why not make a date with the museum?
No matter where in the world you are, if there is a museum close by, there will be something worth checking out. There is no need to head to Paris or London for a dose of culture. As of right now, I call Taichung, Taiwan home and a museum in town is hosting a wonderful exhibition on Edgar Degas, a renowned French artist. If I am able to absorb a dose of European culture in the Republic of China, then you have absolutely no excuse not to follow suit. [Read: 20 fun date ideas for the cultured couple
# Attend anything artsyTo become more cultured in an age that’s obsessed with all things online and social, you need to jump at the chance to attend anything artsy. From random photography expos and poetry slams, to gallery openings and farmers’ markets, dabble in the arts any chance you get.
You can also buy tickets to watch a play, ballet or opera. Take the time to mingle with others during the show’s intermission, and do not be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone interesting. When you infuse your life with a taste of the arts, you open the door to an endless possibility of garnering knowledge and meeting people from this new and exciting world.
# Make new friends
Perhaps you are culturally inept because of the social circle that you are moving in. Do not get me wrong. It is not your friends’ fault that you have no interest in the arts and culture. It all comes down to you taking the initiative to grow as a person. However sometimes, it is nice to have someone there to push you to open your mind and try something new.
I’m not saying forsake your current friends for new ones. All I’m saying is that you should expand your social circle to include those who are already involved in that world. Join a club or reach out to artsy acquaintances and spend more time with them.
# Watch foreign films
There is more to films than Hollywood. For once, why not forsake the trite Michael Bay blockbusters and indulge in something different? The internet contains myriad download and streaming sites, where you can access hundreds of thousands of foreign films.
Language schools, clubs and even foreign ministries tend to organize foreign film screenings so the next time you hear of such an event, make an effort to attend it. You will be surprised at how wonderful non-Hollywood cinematic experiences can be.
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Stop publicizing your life on social mediaOnly use social media for connecting with people, finding out the latest happenings in your community, keeping track of organizations, looking out for upcoming events and so on.
Do not use social media as your platform to publicize yourself, because at the end of the day, no one cares about how your bowl of ramen looks, what your new perm does for your face or how much you love your boyfriend. The moment you stop indulging in the stuff that no one cares about, your focus will shift towards more meaningful communication. Basically, just get a life instead of pretending to have one.
# Read often
I am a giant fan of fiction, and I indulge in works by everyone from Haruki Murakami to John Grisham. However, reading shouldn’t be limited to just fiction. Keep an open mind and read nonfiction works as well.
Biographies are a wonderful way to learn about people and their world. If you do not have the time to consume an entire book, or if books simply aren’t your thing, how about settling for an article a day? I highly recommend using Wikipedia. Download the application and bust it open every time you have a minute to spare. Click on the “Random” or “Today” tab, and engross yourself in the piece that pops up. It is the perfect way to learn about all sorts of things, people, and places from around the world.
# Understand musicPerhaps it is time to turn up the volume on music that does not involve booty, champagne, grillz and fast cars. Although I have to admit that modern music, especially rap, can be somewhat poetic, hard hitting and very clever at times, there are plenty of other genres out there worth listening to. Jazz, bossa nova, classical pieces and even stuff from the golden oldies are great to zone out to.
If you do not know where to start, make use of apps like 8tracks or Spotify, and type in the genre you want to explore. You will be inundated with tons of choices, and you will have no excuse not to listen to something different.