Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you could not ask the way, or did not know how to, say, use the pay phone on the street?Maybe difficulties have arisen in the process of filling your car or when you try to purchase products in stores?The situation was aggravated by the fact that it was necessary to be sure to find a way out, that is,urgent call to someone, fill the car, to buy food?Sometimes?So it is safe to say that you have had to experience the same culture shock.
Who feels it in the first place?As a rule, immigrants, students studying abroad, tourists or businessmen who first came out of his country.
In this article I would like to elaborate on this concept, talk about the possible causes of its appearance, as well as on how to facilitate the entry into a new human habitat.
1. Culture shock.Definition
culture shock is called a kind of physical or (in most cases) emotional discomfort that arises as a result of entering into a completely different, unfamiliar cultural environment.
Can I get used to this environment?Can!However, this cultural adaptation in most cases will be exciting, stressful and, oddly enough, fun.Furthermore, it should be prepared for what may be seen and did not live up to expectations or else confusing.
way, sometimes this term is used to indicate the overall situation, once in which a person is forced to adapt to a new way and order, knowing that no previously learned cultural values or behaviors do not work anymore.
2. Culture Shock and the possible reasons for its occurrence
As a rule, a person experiences this state when coming to a new country for themselves, the traditions which are fundamentally different from those customs that surrounded him in the old, native andhis usual place.
Although if you take, for example, such a huge country like Russia, you can easily experience the culture shock moving, say, to live in the capital, or, conversely, in the hinterland of the bustling city with a rich rhythm of life.Just the social environment can change so much that deal with the situation would be adequately only by the most courageous and purposeful.
The fact is that in these moments within each person there is a struggle of old and new cultural attitudes and norms.Kind of a conflict at the level of his own consciousness.
aware of the acuteness of other effects, each person is absolutely different can experience culture shock.What does it depend?As a rule, a few main factors - namely, the individual characteristics, the level of similarity and the degree of cultural differences, as well as a number of additional elements, to which I have carried the food, the climate, the material welfare, customs, clothing, religion, family structure,and the level of education, language.
3. Acute culture shock.Examples and various forms
How do you know that you are experiencing the real culture shock?Is it possible to predict when this will end some agonizing and painful condition?
Modern psychologists distinguish several phases of this period, which is usually caused by moving to another country:
- «Honeymoon."At this time, one begins to see what is happening through the so-called "rose-colored glasses."All his new environment is perceived with joy and enthusiasm.For example, frequently visiting the new place for us, we will at first start to admire the unusual food, breathtaking architecture, amusing habits of Aboriginal people.
- «Reconciliation", usually occurs after a few days, weeks, and sometimes months.We are starting to look familiar to us social circle, ring up friends, acquaintances and relatives, prepare your favorite dishes from childhood.
- «Adaptation."At this stage, the person ceases to emotionally react to what is happening around.Life is as close as possible to the usual daily routine at home.
- «reverse culture shock."In case you have not left their homeland for good, you will likely have to return, and therefore, should be prepared in advance for the new emotional turmoil.
