As the world grows smaller, as ever-increasing numbers of people travel, work or study abroad, more attention is being focused on a kind of silent sickness that often afflicts the inexperienced traveler. It's the loss of emotional equilibrium that a person suffers when he moves from a familiar environment where he has learned to function easily and successfully to one where he has not. The term used to describe this malady is "Culture Shock".
The effects of culture shock may range from mild uneasiness or temporary homesickness to acute unhappiness or even, in extreme cases, psychological panic, irritability, hyper-sensitivity and loss of perspective are common symptoms. Often the victim does not know what is the matter with him. He just knows that something is wrong, and he feels miserable.
Most experts in intercultural communication agree that the basic cause of culture shock is the abrupt loss of the familiar, which in turn causes a sense of isolation and diminished self importance. "Culture shock," say anthropologists Kalvero Oberg, "is brought on by the anxiety that results from losing all our familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. These signs or cues include the thousand and one ways in which we orient ourselves to the situations of daily life; when to shake hands and what to say when we meet people; how to make purchases; when to accept and when to refuse invitations; when to take statements seriously and when not".
According to Dr Oberg, these cues, which may be words, gestures, facial expressions or customs, are acquired by all of us in the course of growing up and are as much a part of our culture as the language we speak or the beliefs we accept. All of us depend for our peace of mind on hundreds of these cues, even though we may not consciously be aware of them. "When an individual enters a strange culture" Dr Oberg says," all or most of these familiar cues are removed. He or she is like a fish out of water. No matter how broad-minded or full of good will he may be, a series of props has been knocked out from under him."
Underlying all these difficulties is the uncomfortable feeling or not really belonging, of being an outsider. In changing cultures, the newcomer has inevitably changes his own status. At home he was recognized; here he is a relative 'nobody'. As a foreigner, he is a member of a minority whose voice counts for little or nothing. He may find that his homeland, so important to him, is regarded with suspicion or dismissed as unimportant. In short, as one observer put it he finds himself in 'circumstances of beleaguered self-esteem'
Almost always, fortunately, symptoms of culture shock subside with the passage of time. The first sign of recovery may well be the reappearance of the victim's sense of humor; he begins to smile or even laugh at some of the things that irritated him so much at first. As familiarity with local language and customs increases, his self-confidence and self-esteem begin to return. He comes out of his self and makes tentative overtures to the people around him and as soon as he starts being friendly, they stop seeming hostile. Slowly he progresses from a grudging acceptance of his surroundings to a genuine fondness for them and becomes proud of his growing ability to function in them. In the end, he wonders what he was so unhappy about in the beginning.
My student can't take a joke! |
The Australian Habit of 'knocking' is difficulty for others to understand. People from other cultures finding it confusing, insulting and hurtful even though it may be intended to show friendship |
No sense of humor |
When you are coping with a new language, jokes are very hard to understand. Should you laugh, even when you don't understand or just stand there? Either way it's hard. |
Talk about insolent!
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Some Asians laugh or smile when someone is angry with them. They are not only saving face for themselves, but also for the angry person. |
She even smiled when she lost my camera!
I can't understand it!
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Indonesians and Thais smile a lot more than Australians. They smile even when they are sad or worried or embarrassed. (Australian may misread some Asian smiles; Asians' and others' sometimes cannot read Australian smiles. |
Sullen!
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Some Europeans smile less than Australian. This does not mean they are unhappy. It just means that they smile less. |
Too good to be true!
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For many Asians, embarrassment and disgrace and loss of face loom very large not just for themselves; they are also very careful not to inflict these on others, especially their elders. |
Such a polite boy!
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Most Asian students have difficulty in accepting the way that young Australians speak to their elders, especially their parents and teachers also the way that younger brothers and sisters speak to older brothers and sisters. In Asia, young people must show great respect for older people. |
Don't they teach them
manners over there?
Rude! Surly!
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Australians say "please", "thank you" and "sorry" more often than people from a number of other cultures. This does not mean that we are more polite or that they are less polite. Each culture has its own outward signs of politeness. (In fact, when we say "sorry" for small things we sometimes sound insincere to people from other cultures.) |
Didn't even open it!
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Thais, Chinese, Indonesians and Koreans do not usually open a gift in front of the fiver in case he does not like the gift and may accidentally reveal this by his facial expressions. It may also appear greedy. |
Nervy! Always sitting on the edge of his seat! |
In Thailand, every door has a lock. In many countries, every bathroom door has a lock. Australian bathroom doors that do not lock can be a source of anxiety to many students. |
You should see the bathroom!
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Asian bathrooms are intended to get very wet. Some students do not realize that we try to keep Australian bathroom floors fairly dry. |
I think he's constipated! How did the seat get broken?
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Some Asians do not use toilet paper, but instead pour a dipper of water over the relevant area. Sometimes the bathroom floor gets very wet. Some students who are used to squatting over a toilet find it difficult to get used to sitting instead. |
If I've told her once, I've told her 1,000 times.
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Telephones, electrical appliances, and flushing toilets may be unfamiliar items to some students, and may need to be demonstrated on a number of occasions. |
I think he likes boys!
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Hand holding with people of the same sex is common in Thailand and Indonesia, and indicates friendship. It maybe considered immoral to hold hands with someone of the opposite sex Indonesians may see Australians as unfriendly and Australians may see Indonesians may see Australians as unfriendly and Australians may see Indonesians as effeminate. |
I was only trying to be friendly!
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In Thailand, it is really offensive to touch another person on the head, the head being the most sacred part of the body. In Thailand, it is offensive to touch another person with one's foot, since the feet are the lowest part of the body. For this reason socks are often washed separately from other clothing. |
Talk about shy!
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Many Asian girls are very reluctant to hang their underwear on the clothes line where other people can see them. For most Japanese girls, underwear is something one buys for oneself, washes for oneself and dries for oneself. Some Asian girls, especially Muslims, may be very reluctant to reveal their bodies by wearing bathers. |
Not enough clothes
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Indonesians usually wash their clothes every day. Therefore they may not bring many clothes to Australia. |
Can't make up their mind.
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In some cultures (e.g. Indonesia, Japan) the group is more important that the individual. It is sometimes very difficult for students to operate outside of a group and learn to make responsible individual choices. |
Can't think for themselves
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In many cultures rote leaning is sometimes considered the best form of learning, sine it shows respect, both for the information and for the information giver. Critical thinking, analysis and speculation are "new" learning style. |
Fussy!
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Muslims do not pass things to each other with the left hand. Muslims do not eat anything containing pork, bacon or ham. Some will not eat from a plate that has at anytime help pork. Some Muslims are anxious that hey should only eat meat that has been slaughtered by Muslims in their correct manner. |
Scared of dogs!
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Many Muslims do not touch dogs and must avoid being licked by one. Some may touch dogs, but may not touch a wet dog. |
Why do they bother?
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Muslims must fast for thirty days during Ramadan. Nothing must pass the lips between Sunrise and sunset. This is a difficult time for Muslims in a non-Muslim country where they are surrounded by people who can eat at any time. |
Abrupt!
Surly!
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In Australia, people are addressed by name much more frequently then in many other cultures. ("Excuse me, Mary." "Thanks Mum." "Good Morning Fred.") When students fail to use names, it is not necessarily a sign of rudeness. |
Always has his head in the fridge!!!!!
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Some students are accustomed to eating snacks when they are hungry, but not eating to three meals a day. For some students it is a new experience to sit down to eat a meal with the rest of the family. Some students come from cultures where people eat together, but do not talk until the meal is over, dinner conversation is very hard at first for these students. |
She doesn't matter.
(A nobody)
Don't worry about him |
Submissive posture, which would bring a positive response from Asians, often elicits a negative response from Australians. |
Can't be trusted
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Submissive posture, which would bring a positive response from Asians, often elicits a negative response from Australians. |
??? |
Body language differs from place to place. Sri Lankans often shake their heads from side to side when they mean "I understand." Very confusing for us.
Gestures vary in meaning from place to place. The beckoning "come here" movement that we make with our index finger is extremely offensive and has a totally different meaning in Indonesia.
In some Asian cultures it is offensive to point, or extend the hand palm up. |
Doesn't come to class when it rains! |
Many Asians are very frightened of getting sick away from home. They think they might die from an unfamiliar virus. They think they will catch a cold if they get wet especially in winter. Also, in their wet season, a lot closes down, especially away from the big cities. |
Give them and inch and they take a mile!
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Australian Tertiary students are expected to be responsible for their own learning. Teachers will normally not hassle them to do homework of chase them for assignments or check on their absences. This is a lot freer than in some Asian countries and it is very hard for some of these students to set their own limits within these much wider boundaries. Australian students often have this difficulty as well, in the transition from secondary school to a tertiary institution. |
Weak - no backbone!
Passive.
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Conflict, disagreements and problems are usually not handled openly. It is important not to lose face and the difficulty is usually not confronted openly. Often it does work out in the end anyway or it may be resolved with the help of a third person later. Australians often avoid problems but this is seen as an inappropriate way by us; for many Asians this is the appropriate way. |
Terrible study habits!
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Many Asians have been taught to rote learn and are examined with multiple choice questions not essay type answers. Often they learn by chanting the material repetitively and loudly. Often it is very difficult for them to write essay type answers which are analytical and give opinions. |
He is so sexist!
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Sexism is a more prominent and emotional issue than in Asian. Many overseas students will not know about or understand the issue. Nor will they understand the issue of sexual harassment or its legal implications. |
Don't they know electricity costs money!!!
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Fear of ghosts is very real for people from several Asian cultures and some people wear charms to ward off evil spirits. Some students like to sleep with the light on because they're afraid of spirits; and some are afraid of being home alone because that is when the spirits make their presence felt. For some students this is difficult to discuss. However, the supernatural does not seem to impinge on their lives in Australia as at home. |
I wonder if she wants me?
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People from Thailand and Indonesia are always in the company of others and to be alone is a very sad thing. A student from one of these cultures, when feeling depressed or homesick, NEEDS company. |
I talk, but he doesn't answer!
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An Indonesian reaction to intolerable stress is to retreat into oneself, appearing glassy-eyed and not responding to external surroundings. almost trance-like. (Gently and calmly try to identify the stress he is suffering. Quietly offer your understanding and assistance.) |
Be he agreed to do it!
You should see that girl eat!
But she said she understood!
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Many Asians find it very difficult to say "No", so they say "Yes" in a way that means "No". to an Australian "Yes" means "Yes" and "No" means "No". Lines of communication can easily get crossed here. Some students force themselves to eat too much, because they cannot bring themselves to say "No thank you". Some say "Yes" they understand when they really don't understand. |
Childish
Can't take "No" for an answer!
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In some cultures, bargaining when shopping is the norm. In some cultures, and in some families, bargaining with a parent who has just said "No!" is the norm. Behaviour that is wheedling or manipulative to an Australian, may be a normal and acceptable response to someone else. |
A Liar!
After all we have done for him
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Australians sometimes tell white lies; so do people in other cultures, but the quality of white lies can vary from culture to culture. What may be an acceptable white lie in another culture may be a totally unacceptable white lie in Australia. (In Australia, we seek privacy by closing a door. In cultures where it is unacceptable to be alone, people may sometimes seek privacy by answering questions, questions that they would prefer not to answer, with a white lie. Australians do it too, but here it is considered socially unacceptable and dishonest. In some cultures it is an acceptable and normal way of seeking privacy while keeping relationships running smoothly.) |
And a thief!!!
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Attitudes to personal possessions vary from culture to culture, In some cultures, it is quite acceptable to go through other person's belongings (within the same household or amongst friend0 and to use someone else's things without needing to ask. In Australia we tend to view ownership in a personal way. In many other cultures (eg Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nauru, Indonesia) ownership is viewed more communally. |
First he won't spend a cent.
Then he blows it all!!!
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Attitudes to money vary greatly. For some people (eg Thais) the idea of sharing the cost of an outing (going Dutch) is unthinkable. No matter how large the group, one person pays for all the others. (Maybe it is a variation of "shouting".) If you pay, others respect you. |
Won't talk to me!
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Many Thai boys are not accustomed to talking with women. They may have difficulty in relating to a female teacher/counselor. |
Male chauvinist!
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Asian youth may find it difficult to take orders from a mother figure. Japanese males are not accustomed to helping in the house. It is a new experience for them, and is sometimes hard to come to terms with. |
Just sits around looking blank! Follows me around the house!
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Japanese people, when in an unfamiliar situation tend to do nothing because they do not know the rules for that situation. (f you have a Japanese student who seems to be immobilized, give him/her some guidelines.) |
Don't they teach them to usea handkerchief over there?
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Many Asians do not blow their nose in front of others. For them, nose-blowing is really disgusting, but sniffing is socially acceptable. In some cultures, spitting in the street is normal, acceptable procedure. |
Drove her to Cradle Mountain
and she slept all the way |
Asian students often fall asleep when traveling, no mater how much they would like to stay awake, In Japan, when someone is going to travel for hours, friends say "You have four hours for sleeping." |
Late again!
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Some Asians, e.g. Thais, Malaysians, Indonesians and Pacific Islanders, seem to us to place little importance on time. They are accustomed to operating on "rubber time", and punctuality is not important. |
Her table manners are awful. |
Eating noisily is usually a sign of appreciation of good food, especially for Koreans, Vietnamese, and Thais. Talking at meal times may not be acceptable, but is usually left after the meal is finished, e.g. in Korea. |
"All work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy"
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Studying another language takes longer and learning and teaches styles in Australia differ from those at home. Students also feel a strong obligation to succeed in their studies for two reasons; it is very costly and families often make great sacrifices to enable the student to study abroad; also academic failure is a loss of face to the student and his family. Students are trained to study hard and their education systems are highly competitive - hard work usually means success. |
I never know if they understand or not.
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Asking more questions of teachers is disrespectful. Teachers and books are authorities. |
Too familiar
Too pushy!
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Asians may ask you what your age and salary is or if you are married, have children or what your house cost. This is not considered impolite, but everyday conversation even if they hardly know you. |
I think she is trying to bribe me!
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Bribery, favours and patronage are accepted as normal practice in some cultures. We interpret it as manipulative, dishonest and an inducement. It is judged otherwise in their cultures. |
