We have been discussing with some of you the concept of cultural shock, mainly speaking in terms of another country. But cultural shock can be experienced not only when you find yourself in a different country, but also when you are among different people as well.
As for me, for instance, when I lived in Japan I suffered greatly from people’s not showing emotions. They were always polite and smiling, but you never could tell what they thought or how they perceived your actions. I was dying to see their approval, disapproval, anger or affection, but vainly. That was I guess that main reason for me to experience cultural shock. Another example of a kind of cultural shock is when I receive our distant relatives (they are distant both geographically and psychologically). We have such different educational, social, cultural backgrounds, that I cannot find a simple topic in common to have some small talk (let alone serious conversation).
I believe that all of us somehow experienced a kind of cultural shock. What was yours?
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I was culturally shocked when I came to my new school. Everybody was very glamorous with nose-in-the-air. I wasn't able to find a theme to discuss with them. With time I knew how to make glamorous myself, though I still hate it.
As for being abroad, I was culturally schocked when I came to Spain and we saw that Spanish people are so relaxed and to my mind not responsible. They were always late, ate too much. That was something I was unaccostomed to.
I experienced culture shock several times. My first culture shock, at least the first I remember, occurred 8 or 9 years ago -- when I went abroad for the first time, to Finland. I was really shocked with everything: with Helsinki, with Finns’ way of living and their standard of living. Everything there was so beautiful and neat and clean. People were so friendly and polite. I was walking around Helsinki with my mouth open and I guess some people thought I was crazy. And when I returned to Russia I was even more shocked. While being in Finland I got used to politeness and friendliness, and Russia met me with angry and rude people at the railway station in St. Petersburg. Moreover, St. Petersburg seemed to me extremely gray and unbeautiful, though it’s considered to be one of Russia’s most beautiful cities. The difference between what I’ve seen in Finland and what I was then seeing in Russia really make me sad and I wanted to go back to Finland and never return to Russia again.
I experienced culture shock several times after it, but I’ll never forget my first culture shock and I’ll never forget Finland, the country that shocked me so much.
Oh, je m'appelle, you have mentioned such a simple and clear example! I remember the same kind of shock when I first went abroad. That was to Italy and in the days of perestroika, just after the end of Soviet era. Now imagine my SHOCK at friendliness of people (everybody smiling), cleanness of streets (we were shocked that you could sit on the pavement and we did it a lot), exotic cuisine (pizza in Soviet Union was not too much common) and smiling shop assistants (they really knocked me out - think about our "devushka"s!) Never after that first visit I was so shocked again. I remember it took me about a year to get used to our ordinary life.-((
enkeli:
Dear E.Yu., thank you for such an interesting topic!!
As all of you, I was culturally shocked being abroad, in Tunis. Firstly, it seemed to me that it's men's country and we were only women there. All of them payed so much attention to us, that very soon we became really frightened and couldn't go outdoors without boys. Once, a man even tryed to steal into our room through the window in the evening (we lived in small bungalows).
At the same time, it was very nice to get flowers from the strangers, which just wanted to see your smile.
All in all, I never got so much new impressions from the trip. It really was a great cultural shock!
Good afternoon)) I was really culturally shocked being abroad in France. I hoped that it will be clean country, but I disappointed. Everything in Paris was so dirty and gray. I think you heard about famous French cuisine – I tried it. As for me traditional onion’s soup is rather specific food and I completely dislike oysters, anchovies and snails!!-It is so slippery and disgusting! BUT cakes and pies are fantastic! And what about people? People were impolite, angry and unfriendly – like in Moscow. It was my culture shock) But I would like to visit France one more time to prove my language!
I was culturally shocked not so long ago (at my Christmas holidays), when I visited St. Petersburg. I've been there for several times, but I was too small to notice things I've notices this time. Of course I was fascinated by its beauty and cultural and in the same time miraculous atmosphere. But what I was really shocked with - was people!! There are so polite, hospitable, good-natured and kind!!! I was really shocked, because I got used to our people, who are angry, impolite, indifferent, rude and always busy!!....It was the first time in my life, when I feel myself pacifically and in safety, I had nothing to worry about, I was in complete agreement with myself…
Onotole
I was abroad only twice: first to Malta, and then to Egypt. In Malta I lived in a kind of a student's town, and 90% of students were Russian. As a result of that I had no cultural shock at all: everything was so common, so dirty.
But in Egypt it was differrent. Out of the hotel's territory poverty reigned. Native people were greedy of money and never smiled till you show them some bucks.
So I was even glad to be back to Russia.
Well, I suppose I was culture shocked only once… During my journey 2 France. It was my first trip 2 Europe & of course I was shocked of… of everything there. Firstly, surrounding surprised me nicely. It was different from what I expected: a small city, quiet streets, silence. Maybe it seemed so only 4 me, but everything was like in a fairy tale, like it was on the screen in a movie. And I thought it could B only in a movie. Secondly, people shocked me. They were polite & kind (mayB only 4 me). They weren`t “boring big Greenpeace lovers” as I expected them 2 B. So I was glad that I was wrong. I think, that`s all...
P.S. I forgot 2 tell that I was also shocked of their greeting manner. I mean that every time they meet each other they (not only girls\women but also men) they kiss each other into cheeks. It surprises me so far.
The first culture shock for me is my visiting to Grate Britain. Coming there I could hardly understand anything. The first thing that shocked me was left driving. Of course, I knew about that but the filing that something goes wrong (I mean driving on oncoming lane) did not leave me. The second and the most expected shock was cuisine. Prepared food is the only dishes that my host-family could cook for me (for themselves though). Sometimes I had to have dinner in restaurant just for respite. Another shock is that after 10 pm you will not find any open shop, I suppose the British don’t eat after 10 pm at all as opposed to some Russian. And the most staggering thing… who sad that Russian drinks a lot? This man had never been to England… there are a lot of pubs and as a result drunk people what is more if we speak about football with drunken Englishman…uffff… the best thing you can do is to go home.
Well, I was culturally shocked when I came to Turkey. I knew that it was a secular state or we can call it – society state. But I thought that Turkish people respected their religion called Islam. They are Muslims. And it shocked me, when I saw drunken people. Moreover they were heavily drunk. Or when they bothered other people, especially women. I was disappointed in these people. I’m “not an angel” too, but these actions shocked me very much. I couldn’t understand why they couldn’t control themselves. And they were not polite and hospitable.
P.S. of course I understand that all people are different, and I don’t speak about all Turkish nation. But that was a negative example of them. And unfortunately there are lots of similar examples in every nation.
My shock is also connected with Japan. I couldn't get used to Japanese way of bowing politely when they speak. First I didn't bow and I reckon they thought I was impolite, moreover their bowing irritated me a lot. I also suffered a lot from not being able to speak Russian. As a matter of fact at first I even enjoyed the chance of speaking Japanese only, but then I really wanted to have somebody to speak Russian. I took me some time to find a russian community, but before I did I was kind of depressed.
And of course, left driving was very unusual, together with the politeness of the drivers. They stopped the moment you step onto the road. I didn't know that and sometimes we (I mean I and a driver) had to wait for several minutes till I made my mind to move. Now it's funny to remember.
P.S. And they drink too. More than we do.
Oh, The Cleverest, I am so happy to have you back! And I agree they do drink!
by the way, off top - people ask how to enhance the print. How you type words in italics? Explain that, please in the topic about registration (in September, can be found in the archive)
I have never been in Europe or abroad(except Turkey and Egypt,were I spent almost all the time in Hotels because outside it is simply preposterous), so culture shock is unknown experience to me.
Our profession is tightly bound with different countries,cultures,foreigners,trips to different places and it is possible that I will work in other country or may be make a business trips and culture shock is an integral part...I hope it will be pleasent to experience such feeling, I love making new acquaintances and learning other culture!
Good daylight!
I’d like to tell you about my experience in one wonderful country - Spain. Very beautiful corner of the Earth. It’s known that the Spaniards like the Gipsys. Somehow it’s true. What concerns their temperament – absolutely right. And of course there are a lot of thieves, especially in big cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Murcia, Valencia, etc. Fortunately, I’ve never been robbed there (and anywhere), unhappily not my father J … but it’s another story…
So The point is the corrida. I’ve been there twice. First time visited this performance I’re only ten years old. Very Impressive, Cruel, Entertainment, Gracefully! Above all is Pointed and Bloody!
To tell the truth my mom was non-stop crying: “I can’t stand it! I can’t see it anymore!” and so on. Than she didn’t allowed me to continue watch this show…As a result we went out of the bullfighting arena and guided back to the hotelJ)
At corrida you can see breathers who are dying, to be more precise you see murder, long and poignant – show not for nervous! We asked one of being there the elderly Spaniards if he liked It. Than he answered: “We have good football in Spain – it’s a great game, entertainment and hobby – for young people. As for young people – football, corrida is the same for us (for aged), hobby if you want!” (Don’t ask how we talk to each otherJ, but amazingly he could more or less speak English).
In conclusion, I want to tell that I’ve been in Spain not for one, even not for two or three times… and to be honest I should not mind to go there once again in spite of some strangeness…
Well, I`ll tell you about my cultural shock in America. I expect you thinking now “...about America again…”, I know it`s a shocking country at all, know about curious American habits, everybody knows.. But I was really surprised by one more thing – American fashion. My school had an “exchange program” with one American high school. So, ones I flew to Seattle, Oregon and lived in a family. On the first day, when we have just entered their home (after they have met me at the airport) I pushed by accident a glass of water and it splashed on me. I haven`t unpacked my luggage yet and Jacob (a boy I came to by the exchange program) offered me to get a clean T-shirt from his room. When he has opened the wardrobe I was utterly amazed – I`ve seen such amount of T-shirts only in the store, but not at home, it seemed like the only clothes he had were T-shirts. But the most surprising was that all of them were identical, without any imagines on - the different was only their colour. I even calculated – there was 69 the same T-shirts. There was no any shirt, trousers or any other clothes – only several jeans, sweaters and amounts of T-shirts. I can`t say that the family was poor to buy other clothes, because of big house and tree cars, but it was the way to dress. I don`t think it is normal to have 69 the same things to use them for going for example to school, birthday party, restaurant, museum or somewhere else. But Jacob has worn T-shirts to all this places during the month I was in Seattle.
Cultural shock? hm, I think I am not the person to experience it too often, because I react on different things rather calm… nevertheless once I managed to feel it.
It happened, when I changed my schools for the umpteenth time. Before it I had gone to the school, which was connected with art – there we had a lot of such subjects as modeling, design, music and painting… I liked it very much, but unfortunately my parents didn’t. That is why they made me change the school and go to the gymnasium, where the most important subjects were foreign languages: English, German, Ukrainian and Roman. I don’t know why, but all pupils always discussed different languages, foreign countries –their outlook on life differed from mine very much! Everything was so alien for me, because I had got used to the conversation about others things! Of course I adapted to the new subjects, the new style of communication, but the first days were very difficult for me…
I had a real cultural shock while visiting one little European country. I was shocked by the behaviour of local people. They are…mm…not very hardworking I must say. This country is an ideal place for developing a tourism sphere(sunny hot climate, clean marvelous sea, unique monuments of architecture, wonderful reserves). But they do nothing to develop a tourism industry! They spend days drinking coffee, playing billiard and singing songs…I can`t understand it…really
Good evening, guys)
I also was culturally shocked several times in my life. For example when I went into the humanitarian class I felt this shock, because ALL my classmates knew English well and I was the most stupid in it! It was awful because I was used to be in the "front line". I had to go to the spesial courses and finally I improves my English and the problem was over.=)
Oh and I understood je m'appelle who was shocked by St. Petersburg's inhabitants. I felt the same amazement because of their high level of culture, politeness and intelligence. Muscovites are completely different, unfortunately.
I've just read the post of Lasvegas about moscovits, and wanted to add, that my relatives who come to Moscow are aften shocked, because numbers of people, their business, rudeness and unfriendliness differ a lot from people of the regions. It's difficult for me to say if it is true that people from the regions are better than the Moscovits, because I haven't visited a lot of the russian cities, maybe some of you knows better?
It's very interesting topic)As I see,almost everybody encountered with some problems abroad,so did i,unfortunately it happens often to me.Last time it happend to me in Australia when I did first step outside the airport,everybody was so pleased,they smiled all the time as if they didn't have any problems,oh,God,they have.
When you just walking everything is so unbelievable,pretty as a picture,so you think that it's just a fake,but later on you understand that australian people(ozzy)are more simple,they don't care of their style like Muscovite,all their concerns come to their lifestyle,I mean the food.Generally speaking this country shoked me,it's absolutely another world and their attitude to people differes from ours,averything what creates directed to the population of that country and people seem very happy despite of many problems.
Hm,I remember one thing which lead to long thinking and asking a lot of questions)) Two years ago my family and I were having a rest in Dubai(UAE).We lived near the center of the city, so we had an opportunity to go shopping nearly every day.
I'm sure you know that Arab women have to wear blick clothes,which covers their face and body(it calls abaya )The fact that surprised me was that Arab women bought a lot of colourful and bright clothes while shopping))
Also I was shocked when I saw an old Arab woman who wore, except abaya, a copper mask.
Ooops sorry I haven't signed))) The previous comment is mine))
I'm gonna tell u about the cultural shock I have once experienced.
...It happened in Montenegro. I went there with my family for three weeks. Somebody told us that people there were very friendly, especially to people from Russia. It was false.
Those people never smiled. They looked at everyone with no hospitality. It looked like they thought something like "Give us your money for living in our hotel and get out!!!" When we went to the restaurant... sorry, to the canteen, we saw waiters with crossed hands looking at people with anger, waiting till they abandon the canteen... I was so surprised with their unpoliteness, I couldn't understand why they were so unfriendly... It was not only problem of our "hotel", but in nearby town of Budva people were the same. It was the worst of my trips abroad.
Usually foreign visitor feels uncomfortable abroad. But I can say for sure that Japan is really one of the most difficult country to understand. Though such countries as Spain, Italy are very hospitable. One can feel culturally shocked not only in different place but in different company. I was invited to a very strange party where the fans of Literature were invited. I was bored and could not understand why i was there. I do not lool like a literature fan. I was shocked and had nothing to say.
Usually foreign visitor feels uncomfortable abroad. But I can say for sure that Japan is really one of the most difficult country to understand. Though such countries as Spain, Italy are very hospitable. One can feel culturally shocked not only in different place but in different company. I was invited to a very strange party where the fans of Literature were invited. I was bored and could not understand why i was there. I do not lool like a literature fan. I was shocked and had nothing to say.
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