Culture Shock

I mentioned to Jen that I really didn't really have a good understanding of what culture shock is/was... I do now. And I also should have consulted Wiki before I left. Wiki describes it below.

Culture shock is a term used to describe the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country. It grows out of the difficulties in assimilating the new culture, causing difficulty in knowing what is appropriate and what is not. This is often combined with strong disgust (moral or aesthetical) about certain aspects of the new or different culture. The term was introduced for the first time in 1954 by Kalvero Oberg.

Culture shock is a research area in intercultural communication. Recently, some researchers claim that culture shock does have many positive effects on intercultural sojourners, like increasing self-efficacy [1] and helping improve self-motivation.

Shock (moving to a foreign country) often consists of distinct phases, though not everyone passes through these phases and not everyone is in the new culture long enough to pass through all three:

The "Honeymoon Phase" - During this period the differences between the old and new culture are seen in a romantic light, wonderful and new. For example, in moving to a new country, an individual might love the new foods, the pace of the life, the people's habits, the buildings and so on.

The "Negotiation Phase" - After a few days, weeks, or months, minor differences between the old and new culture are resolved. One may long for food the way it is prepared in one's native country, may find the pace of life too fast or slow, may find the people's habits annoying, etc.

The "Everything is OK" phase - Again, after a few days, weeks, or months, one grows accustomed to the new culture's differences and develops routines. By this point, one no longer reacts to the new culture positively or negatively, because it no longer feels like a new culture. One becomes concerned with basic living again, as one was in their original culture.

Reverse Culture Shock - Returning to one's home culture after growing accustomed to a new one can produce the same effects as described above.

In some cases, it may be impossible to deal with culture shock. Some people will give up on assimilating into the newer culture and return to their own culture, and some become so magnetized to the foreign culture that feel they must permanently move there to relieve the stress.

So yeah, after a few days, people drinking Corona, wild camel novelty wears off. The best I can decribe it "Island Time" but the the power of 10. Things take a little longer here. Granted it's only the end of day 6 of 100's more, but still. I need progress and progress is slow here and that is frustrating. I should have my papers (so I can get my drivers license, offically look for homes), my relo/signing bonus, bank accounts, mobile phone by the end of the week. That will be progress and it will make me feel SO MUCH better!

Okay, so the link below is to the photos from Bab Al Shams in Dubai (well the Emirate, not city). Really great to relax in the 15,000sq ft of pools and swim up bar. Don't forget the camels rides, falconry, horse & camel show and a whirling dervish! I did none of those things...just drinks, sun and shade... Bab Al Shams slideshow

Until next time... halas!