Make the most of culture shock
Make the most of culture shock
What do you mean I can’t cross my legs and show the bottom of my feet? Culture shock hits us all. Upon a trip I took to Bangkok, I read up quickly on the basics of Thai culture in the two-page article. I didn’t want to create any sort of huge foreign confrontation and looking like a tourist has always been a pet peeve of mine. It was easy enough to learn a few tidbits from the ever-conscientious authors of the JAL in-flight magazine but no matter how much you research, there are still those customs that are only learnt through direct experience.
Here is how I deal with culture shock and use it to have a wonderful vacation and remember it fondly afterwards.
Before trip journal
When you have chosen a country that you want to visit, before going, draw a clear picture in your mind of what you are expecting. Write it down. If you have the opportunity - tell a friend. Because the moment you arrive in a foreign place your perceptions will change immediately. This before trip journal will help to remind you of what you thought when you first arrived and will be a great story to read once you have returned home. After you smell the market places of Hong Kong or hear the roar of New York City, you will never remember what you initially thought it would be.
Upon arrival
Accept the differences of the new place. The key is recognizing them. You don’t have to like them, agree with them or even embrace them immediately but accept that they are different. Try to see what the foreign country sees as “every day” or “normal”.
When in Rome
Now you have recognized that things are different – give some a try. There are many things just outside of your comfort zone that you can experiment with. Why not drink beer out of a vending machine in Tokyo? Why not bathe nude in the south of France when everyone else is?
I’m not a tourist!
And if you really want to immerse yourself, try to separate your mind from your ties, your traditions, and take the new country as your adopted home. Even if it’s for a week, you will experience more than you could have imagined. And when you get home… you’ll truly appreciate reading the before trip journal!
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