culture shock reflection

I once took a vacation trip to China while I was a high school student, staying there for two months. It was the period in which I experienced cultural shock to the point where I almost forgot who I was. My life was changed by the event. Culture shock is characterized by feelings of fear as well as uncertainty and perplexity (Briones & Bush, 2015).

The language had undergone a dramatic transformation that was crucial to my social interactions. People look blankly and freely at one another, while others point you out to their family and friends and point their fingers in that direction. The food in Chinese hotels was different from those I have been used to. Most restaurants lack English menu. The ingredients used were unidentified and unfamiliar, and a good example was sea cucumbers. There is no personal space, and this can be associated with the large population in this country. People are not orderly, and people are used to cutting line and push past others over the counters. People stand too close to a person, and personal space is disregarded.

The excessive attention I received as a foreigner was tiring and I always tried my best to remain cool at all times. I was approached by drivers, touts, and people who were selling various things and I had to learn how to politely turn down their offer as they did not take ‘no’ for an answer. I learned that when addressing old people or those holding a position requires using a title while I was used in addressing them by their first name. I discovered this was a taboo in China.

In case I have a chance to revisit China I will make sure I practice to use chopsticks and spoon as most of their meals are mostly eaten with the same. To avoid being taken advantage, I will make sure I have full comprehension of the correct price before purchasing anything. I will also learn gestures used in counting by hand. I realized there is a need to be cautious while crossing roads as most drivers do not observe traffic rules. I will always make sure I pass safely with a group of others. I learned that most places do not accept credit and master cards. For this reason, carrying cash will be the most efficient way one can get products and services. I will learn some primary Chinese language to communicate with more people as most of them do not understand English.

The experience was good for me, and I took it as a learning experience. Although culture shock may adversely affect a person learning of different culture is useful in appreciating the existing diversity in different societies.

Reference

Briones, S., & Bush, K. (2015). A Campus Professional's Guide to Understanding Culture Shock in International Students.