When was the first time you got hit super hard by culture shock? 

I still remember my first night with my college roommate who made his way to the states from Kuwait. The evening consisted of a homemade Kabsa dinner (if you don’t know what that is, look into it ASAP) eaten by hand as is tradition and FIFA until the wee hours of the morning. The group of dudes that joined us that night would soon become some of the best friends I made in my time at school. I remember feeling a deep sense of honor that the guys would be willing to let me dive head first into their culture. This sensation reemerged in my mind this week as our team sat down with Jules Vettrees of Verve Culture. She began her company alongside her best friend who happens to be her mother with the express purpose of enhancing the lives of folks in North America by opening the doors of cultures from throughout the world. They currently partner directly with artisans from Morocco, Thailand, and Mexico to craft and sell artistically designed products that are above all else authentic and purposeful. The passion she has for shining a bright light on the men and women who have dedicated their lives to the traditional practices of their lineage is palpable in this month’s Manner Box options. I hope each Manner Man pauses to feel the pride of knowing that by selecting a Manner Box this month you are not only supporting an artisan, but also are connecting yourself to their culture for life.