Communication is the key to every relationship, but it can differ in every culture.

MSU’s Hmong American Student Association hosted an event in honor of Valentine’s Day Tuesday night called “Call Me Hmaybe?” which aimed to teach culturally appropriate flirting in preparation for Valentine’s Day.

Established in 1997, HASA represents the Hmong Americans at MSU by participating in bi-weekly events as well as other group-sponsored events. The Hmong people come from mountainous regions of Laos, China, Vietnam and Thailand.

Recently, the group has become a larger part of the community with more participation.

“I have been a part of HASA since I was a freshman,” president of HASA and human development and family studies senior Jasmine Vang said. “When I first got here it was really small. Nobody really came out to the events, but then this year it’s grown so much.”

Participants engaged in several activities during the night. They first played a game where each person had to try and capture as many paper hearts from other people just by asking yes or no questions.

Later, the room split up into groups and were given an object that they had to try and figure out how the Hmong people have used it in matchmaking and love.

“In the Hmong culture, men and women would kind of flirt with each other to let them know they want to be with each other, so basically we are re-enacting that,” said HASA secretary chemistry sophomore and Katie Zhong.

The objects included a leaf, a flashlight, the Hmong coin sash, a tennis ball and yarn. Some groups knew exactly what the object was used for, others had comical incorrect answers.

The entire group finished the night with lots of mingling and baked goods provided by HASA.

HASA hopes to continue to grow and attend certain events, specifically national conferences, Vang said.