The Foreign Service Journal, June 2004

J U N E 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 73 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT demonstrate how extroverted nomads are was great fun. She then addressed the question of whether nomads approach dating differently because of their upbringing. Do we have differ- ent strengths and can we comfortably date people who have not moved around as children? Global nomads tend to have had rich experiences in life and are there- fore usually interesting to others. Global nomads know that they are fas- cinating, but generally do not come across as arrogant. As they are at ease talking to new people and have met people from all over, they see many more people as potential mates. But because they are used to a transient lifestyle, they can be too quick to dive into relationships. Global nomads find it easy to talk about rather personal matters quickly — a “confessional impulse” — so what a nomad may see as simply being chatty, others may interpret as real interest. Global nomads may rush into things: there is always a sense of urgency because they grew up knowing that there is always a departure date. The weekend included the full spectrum of global life from morning yoga to “Schmoozing and Smooth Jazz” in the evening and lunches with sponsor-specific tables — e.g., Diplomatic Corps, Business, Military Brats. The last keynote speaker was Atsushi Furuiye from the Japanese chapter of Global Nomads. He explained how the Japanese govern- ment, until the 1980s, did not really recognize the children of their “for- eign service (usually corporate)” and Continued on page 74 For many of the non-U.S. “nomads,” especially the women, gender issues play a huge role.