Comments on: reverse culture shock

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 21:42:26 +0000

Hi,

I came across this page while searching for information on reverse culture shock. Unlike you, I had little idea about the possibility of reverse culture shock before I returned to the US in 1996 after teaching in China for five years. I’d originally planned to stay for just one year, but I liked teaching there so much that I stayed too long. The only way I could follow what was happening in the US was through VOA and BBC.

What made my return worse is that I returned to live in an area of the US where I’d never lived before, and then I had to move to an even more different city after only 6 months. I felt like a foreigner in my own country, and it was hard for me to figure out how to do some simple things–such as how to buy a bed–and how to interact with Americans.

American television is so inward looking–few non-American programs are shown, and those that are shown come from places like the UK and Australia. So I did the wrong thing and didn’t buy a set, although watching some of the programs that are good would have helped me get up to speed on American culture.

Access to the Web would have made my return much easier. Without email in early 1990s China, I had to rely on expensive long-distance phone calls at a time inconvenient for one of the parties or mail that took about 10 days to arrive.

Thanks for posting this information so that others who go abroad to live can prepare better for the return to their home country.

By: sarah

sarah — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 15:59:03 +0000

haha…pretty funny. but that’s the best part of it…trying to fit one culture into the other and then feeling funny about the whole thing! Need some fun like this in life too. These differences must have really taught you to balance it out with the best of both rather than leave you confused, like many others who get caught up in between! It is nice at times to experience/know the contrasts. good funny experiences, especially the crossing the road one. Take mummy’s advise! LOL and may your time in the toilets be without the need of spicy food when you return! hehe

By: Sibish

Sibish — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 05:40:07 +0000

Good one…
keep writing

By: rocksea

rocksea — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 07:18:12 +0000

roshi, thatz interesting. it shud be funny to know what you had experienced when you came back to japan!

pidiyana,

jina, yes i saw that

sthira, yes it is a time to analyze ourselves as well!!

anu, why thanks to japan? anyways yes thanks to japan or i may not have had such a cool internet connection and funds to host this site

By: Anu

Anu — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 16:42:40 +0000

hi dude …kewl i like ur style ..this is a well organised site…thanks to Japan…

By: sthira

sthira — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 22:15:44 +0000

Roxy,

Thanks for all those suggestions with regard to reading material on India.

Hey, I could relate very well to the subject of this post. I guess it happens with most of us when we go back after a long gap. I have sort of forgotten how people address shopkeepers in my city.It’s always funny going home and becoming aware of the changes in your own self.

By: jina

jina — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 20:25:57 +0000

Awesome one yaar…this keeps happening I guess….But it was a really refreshing one..when u get time..check out the one i wrote abt ppl coming back from US

By: pidiyana

pidiyana — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 19:56:21 +0000

Lol!!! nice one!!

By: roshi

roshi — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 19:14:56 +0000

Very interesting blog! I had a reverse culture shock when I went to Japan last summer. I guess I’ve lived in the US too long.

By: rocksea

rocksea — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 13:59:26 +0000

silverine, yep, hopefully

mind curry, yet i like the natural n naive part of the culture..

gini, ya got a scent at mallu musings

chackocha, athokkeyalle athinte oru rasam.. njanum keralam miss cheyyunnu..