an electronic newsletter from Stratevative Learning International AB

Vol. 1, Issue 8, November 2002

www.stratevative.com

I've been reading a lot about Culture Shock recently and I find it to be a fascinating subject -- perhaps because I'm deeply entrenched in it myself. So many things are tied in with culture and our perceptions of culture, and often our perceptions are so  fixed that we are either pleasantly surprised, or ignorantly blinded by what we meet in a different culture that doesn't live up to our perceived notions about that culture. 

But one wise person said to me, "No pain, no gain. Culture shock shows that something's happening to you."

What is culture shock, really? In simple terms it is a typical reaction to difference. In more clinical terms, it is psychological stress experienced when familiar cues or patterns are no longer present. These cues include the many ways in which we orient ourselves to the requirements of daily life--what to say when we meet people, when and how to give tips, when and how to accept and refuse invitations, when to take statements seriously, even how close to stand to someone when we are talking.

And when your belief system has you thinking that your dominant culture is just the best on the planet, the difference you face in another society will smack you with culture shock. Culture shock doesn't really go away, rather, it cycles through various stages. The first stage is sometimes referred to as the "honeymoon" phase. Everything is new, everything is different, everything is wonderful, what an adventure! You get a great feeling from being in a whole new world where everything is a novelty and delight.

Then comes a plateau stage where everything you once thought was so great has now become somewhat mundane. After that is frustration. The differences between your dominant culture and that of the culture around you clash... they drive you absolutely crazy and you just can't tolerate anything and just when you're about to go totally nuts ... BOOM! You're back in stage one again. Whoopee. It is a ride on a roller coaster.

Another, simpler way to say this is...

The most fascinating thing I think, is that 90% of human beings want the same things: to live, work, have purpose, have meaningful connections, and be happy. Why then, do our behaviors for achieving those goals differ from one culture to another? Why is it OK, for example, to spit on the streets of Japan and not in Canada? For more interesting cultural differences, see this month's contest, and test your knowledge of other cultures.

Only by learning do we discover how ignorant we are.
--- ancient Chinese proverb

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