In *Between Us: How Cultures Create Emotions*, Batja Mesquita reshapes how we think about emotions. Rather than seeing them as universal human responses, Mesquita shows how emotions are profoundly influenced by our surroundings, social interactions, and cultural norms. It’s a fresh and insightful perspective—one that feels especially relevant in today’s globalized world.
What adds depth to Mesquita’s work is her unique background. Having grown up in the Netherlands and worked across Europe and the U.S., Mesquita brings a global lens to her research. As a professor at the University of Leuven in Belgium, she has spent her career studying how culture impacts emotional experiences. This blend of diverse cultural experiences is reflected throughout the book, making her insights both relatable and enlightening.
For someone like me, who spent 24 years in India before moving to the U.S., Mesquita’s ideas resonate deeply. I’ve seen firsthand how emotional expectations shift depending on cultural context. In India, emotions are often centered on maintaining social harmony and respecting traditions, while in the U.S., there’s a focus on individual expression and personal needs. Mesquita captures this contrast by highlighting "independent" cultures, like the U.S., versus "interdependent" cultures, like those in East Asia and India. Her framework makes it clear why I feel the need to adjust my emotional responses depending on whether I’m engaging with Indian family or American colleagues.
The book goes beyond theory, offering practical applications. It’s a great resource for anyone navigating cross-cultural relationships—whether that’s parents raising children in a different culture (as I’ve experienced), leaders in multicultural workplaces, or individuals seeking to connect across cultural boundaries. Mesquita’s work helped me better understand the emotional complexities I face when interacting with my children, who were born and raised in the U.S. Her research highlights how different cultural expectations can influence emotional engagement, providing a useful guide for approaching these situations with empathy and insight.
But *Between Us* isn’t just for families like mine. It’s for anyone who wants to understand how culture shapes emotions. Whether you’re working in a multicultural team, traveling, or simply curious about emotional dynamics across cultures, this book offers valuable insights that help make sense of emotional differences.
What truly sets *Between Us* apart is how it invites us to rethink both our connections with others and our own emotional experiences. Mesquita, with her wealth of research and cross-cultural perspective, transforms how we view emotions. It’s not just another psychology book—it’s a guide to navigating the emotional intricacies of our interconnected world.
Grab a copy at Rima’s The Thinking Spot, support your local independent bookstore, or order it through bookshop.org to support indie booksellers. This book will change how you think about emotions and help you understand how culture shapes every feeling and interaction.
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