Travelenthusiasts would likely agree that one of the most interesting parts of traveling is getting acquainted with different cultures; and there sure are plenty of different ones. Boasting various unique customs, authentic languages and food traditions, among other things, some might be closer to what you’re used to, while getting acquainted with others might feel like stepping into a completely different world.The latter is what netizens on X (formerly Twitter) have discussed when one userasked themabout the biggest culture shocks they’ve ever witnessed. Quite a few people shared stories of what surprised them the most while immersed in one culture or another, ranging from food to language, to recycling and transportation-related matters.Curious to see what other culture shocks they’ve experienced? Wait no longer and scroll down to find their thoughts on the list below, where you will also findBored Panda’sinterview with Professor at the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada,Sean Doherty, who was kind enough to share his thoughts on culture shock.This post may includeaffiliate links.
Travelenthusiasts would likely agree that one of the most interesting parts of traveling is getting acquainted with different cultures; and there sure are plenty of different ones. Boasting various unique customs, authentic languages and food traditions, among other things, some might be closer to what you’re used to, while getting acquainted with others might feel like stepping into a completely different world.
The latter is what netizens on X (formerly Twitter) have discussed when one userasked themabout the biggest culture shocks they’ve ever witnessed. Quite a few people shared stories of what surprised them the most while immersed in one culture or another, ranging from food to language, to recycling and transportation-related matters.
Curious to see what other culture shocks they’ve experienced? Wait no longer and scroll down to find their thoughts on the list below, where you will also findBored Panda’sinterview with Professor at the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada,Sean Doherty, who was kind enough to share his thoughts on culture shock.
This post may includeaffiliate links.
Netizen’s answers in the X thread covered nearly anything and everything there is, which is not surprising bearing in mind how different even the most mundane of things can be in different places.Takefood, for instance; something that’s a necessity for everyone in the world can differ quite drastically from country to country. (Even though some cuisines, such asItalian or Chinese, seem to be quite popular outside of the two countries as well.)
Netizen’s answers in the X thread covered nearly anything and everything there is, which is not surprising bearing in mind how different even the most mundane of things can be in different places.
Takefood, for instance; something that’s a necessity for everyone in the world can differ quite drastically from country to country. (Even though some cuisines, such asItalian or Chinese, seem to be quite popular outside of the two countries as well.)
According to Dr. Sean Doherty, another common—likely the biggest and the most immediate one, too—cause for culture shock is an unfamiliar way of speaking, be it a different language or even an accent. “It can be so difficult to perform even simple tasks, such as acquiring transport or booking a hotel, when you cannot communicate effectively. After that, trying to fit in and engage with locals is very difficult if there is a language barrier. I’ve had many culturally isolating experiences result from not understanding what is being said, or being able to share with locals,” he told Bored Panda.
“Other reasons for culture shock that I have experienced stemmed from attire, infrastructure, and transport differences,” Dr. Doherty continued. “We may look around and see unfamiliar attire and feel like we stand out or don’t fit in. We may end up in a city or town with buildings and roads laid out much differently than our home towns which can be disconcerting. The way people move about can also be dramatically different, with more people walking, cycling or using transit; all this can be a shock at first. Embracing these differences, or at least tolerating them, I think would reduce the culture shock.”
Be it food, socializing, traffic rules or other aspects of living in—or even traveling in—a certain country that evokes it, culture shock can take some time adjusting to.Gitnux revealedthat among overseas workers, for instance, roughly one-in-six need a year to adapt to the new work culture.Gitnux also pointed out that quite a few people are likely to feel reverse culture shock, which stems from coming back to the country of origin after some time abroad. Statistics show that as much as 15% of foreign women in Japan feel said shock upon going back to their homelands.
Be it food, socializing, traffic rules or other aspects of living in—or even traveling in—a certain country that evokes it, culture shock can take some time adjusting to.Gitnux revealedthat among overseas workers, for instance, roughly one-in-six need a year to adapt to the new work culture.
Gitnux also pointed out that quite a few people are likely to feel reverse culture shock, which stems from coming back to the country of origin after some time abroad. Statistics show that as much as 15% of foreign women in Japan feel said shock upon going back to their homelands.
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Even thoughculture shocktypically takes some time to get adjusted to, it is a completely natural part of immersing yourself in an unfamiliar environment, be it traveling in or moving to an unfamiliar place.For Prof. Doherty, immersing yourself in different cultures and environments is one of the most important things to do in order to have a fulfilling experience whilst a visitor. “I try to seek these experiences out, be it traveling to markets and residential areas where the locals actually live, or seeking out natural or built environments different than back home. Sticking to tourist areas, or all-inclusive resorts, has limited appeal to me. But it can be challenging to identify these areas, stay safe, and not fall for tourist traps. Having a local friend, relative or guide is invaluable for this.”
Even thoughculture shocktypically takes some time to get adjusted to, it is a completely natural part of immersing yourself in an unfamiliar environment, be it traveling in or moving to an unfamiliar place.
For Prof. Doherty, immersing yourself in different cultures and environments is one of the most important things to do in order to have a fulfilling experience whilst a visitor. “I try to seek these experiences out, be it traveling to markets and residential areas where the locals actually live, or seeking out natural or built environments different than back home. Sticking to tourist areas, or all-inclusive resorts, has limited appeal to me. But it can be challenging to identify these areas, stay safe, and not fall for tourist traps. Having a local friend, relative or guide is invaluable for this.”
“To me, it’s the new experiences, interactions, and conversations,” Dr. Doherty continued. “I love trying local foods, especially seeing how they are grown or prepared. New sites and natural areas can be exhilarating. Talking with locals about their experiences and lives, and sharing your own, can be uplifting and insightful. All this can dramatically change your own perspective and life when you’re back home, and build confidence to explore even further.”
When in the new country already, working on self-confidence and optimism, accepting new cultures, and seeking social support are the three ways to overcome the psychological discomfort, if any.
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