Culture Shock - Americans In Asia

Living overseas, especially for extended periods means getting over culture shock. People move different, they speak different, they even think different in foreign societies. Not to mention the time difference from place to place that shocks one's system. So, getting used to living in another country is not easy.

So, prepare before you travel and get ready for the changes you will encounter. This is not as essential for short visits as it is for longer stays. The larger things are important and need to be researched. But, please don't neglect to look into things that many not be as clear at first. It will save you much frustration.

As one example of something that is not quite so obvious, the extent to which Asian people are obsessed with looks may even be greater than the American obsession. We in America have a huge hygiene and skin product industry but, we don't have anything to compare with the Aisan bb cream yet. This is a multi-function cure-all that moisturizes, treats acne and covers up blemishes among other things. Even Asian plastic surgery differs in that many Asians will try to look more American with procedures that, for example, remove excess skin around the eye. Some Asians countries also have no problem with staring and touching Western looking hair and other features.

Some cultural differences can be chalked up to stereotype but some are more based in actually physical reality. For instance, people in Japan are, on average, thinner by quite a bit than Americans. So, you may want to get a personal trainer of you go their and don't like to get too many stares and fingers pointing at you.

Another important difference is the availability of living space in most Asian countries and as compared to America. There are factories and Urban sprawl in both places but, in the densely populated Asian countries where all excess land is used to grow crops, large open spaces and big houses are hard to come by. The concept of home storage solutions is interpreted quite another way. It is much more valuable and in demand in Asia and, therefore, you may want to pack light and send home souvenirs.

These are only some things to think about. I have purposefully chosen things that you may not consider to illustrate how much difference there can be.

Detailed preparation and careful study of other cultures is key to getting along there. Most people consider culture shock but not to any great extent and so, aren't properly prepared for it. If you are planning to live overseas, don't underestimate the extent to which you will be shocked.

Tags: american culture, asian culture, culture shock