30 Culture Shocks People Were Not Ready For When Traveling

Netizen’s answers in the X thread covered nearly anything and everything there is, which is not surprising bearing in mind how different even the most mundane of things can be in different places.

Take food, for instance; something that’s a necessity for everyone in the world can differ quite drastically from country to country. (Even though some cuisines, such as Italian or Chinese, seem to be quite popular outside of the two countries as well.)

While food is a necessity in order for us to survive, it is much more than that, especially in the context of culture. A study delving deeper into the links between food and culture, as well as religion and traditions, emphasized that learning more about food by asking questions such as how something is made, what ingredients are used, and why the dish is called a certain way can help people understand the culture and its approach to life better.

“In the end, we can say that food functions symbolically as a communicative practice by which we create, manage and share meanings with others,” the study read in part.

While different eating habits can be a common cause for culture shock, many people seem to be intrigued by or interested in acquainting themselves with new flavors; if not abroad, then in their home country, at least. Studies suggest the popularity of ethnic foods in the US has been on the rise, arguably meaning that more and more people are open to trying out something not that customary to their area.

According to Dr. Sean Doherty, another common—likely the biggest and the most immediate one, too—cause for culture shock is an unfamiliar way of speaking, be it a different language or even an accent. “It can be so difficult to perform even simple tasks, such as acquiring transport or booking a hotel, when you cannot communicate effectively. After that, trying to fit in and engage with locals is very difficult if there is a language barrier. I’ve had many culturally isolating experiences result from not understanding what is being said, or being able to share with locals,” he told Bored Panda.

“Other reasons for culture shock that I have experienced stemmed from attire, infrastructure, and transport differences,” Dr. Doherty continued. “We may look around and see unfamiliar attire and feel like we stand out or don’t fit in. We may end up in a city or town with buildings and roads laid out much differently than our home towns which can be disconcerting. The way people move about can also be dramatically different, with more people walking, cycling or using transit; all this can be a shock at first. Embracing these differences, or at least tolerating them, I think would reduce the culture shock.”

Be it food, socializing, traffic rules or other aspects of living in—or even traveling in—a certain country that evokes it, culture shock can take some time adjusting to. Gitnux revealed that among overseas workers, for instance, roughly one-in-six need a year to adapt to the new work culture.

Gitnux also pointed out that quite a few people are likely to feel reverse culture shock, which stems from coming back to the country of origin after some time abroad. Statistics show that as much as 15% of foreign women in Japan feel said shock upon going back to their homelands.

Even though culture shock typically takes some time to get adjusted to, it is a completely natural part of immersing yourself in an unfamiliar environment, be it traveling in or moving to an unfamiliar place.

For Prof. Doherty, immersing yourself in different cultures and environments is one of the most important things to do in order to have a fulfilling experience whilst a visitor. “I try to seek these experiences out, be it traveling to markets and residential areas where the locals actually live, or seeking out natural or built environments different than back home. Sticking to tourist areas, or all-inclusive resorts, has limited appeal to me. But it can be challenging to identify these areas, stay safe, and not fall for tourist traps. Having a local friend, relative or guide is invaluable for this.”

“To me, it’s the new experiences, interactions, and conversations,” Dr. Doherty continued. “I love trying local foods, especially seeing how they are grown or prepared. New sites and natural areas can be exhilarating. Talking with locals about their experiences and lives, and sharing your own, can be uplifting and insightful. All this can dramatically change your own perspective and life when you’re back home, and build confidence to explore even further.”

But for those who find it overwhelming, there are some ways to cope with it, such as spending time with someone who can explain certain customs or help with learning the language, connecting with other foreigners in the country or with things you find familiar and comforting (such as your local foods, activities, or rituals). Finding a hobby that can help relieve stress is also likely to help.

Research on culture shock’s impact on one’s psychological well-being suggested that action to minimize the detrimental effects can be taken even before coming into the new environment. The feelings of depression, anxiety and helplessness that often entail culture shock can be reduced by preparing for it - understanding the process of culture shock itself as well as the features of the new culture.

When in the new country already, working on self-confidence and optimism, accepting new cultures, and seeking social support are the three ways to overcome the psychological discomfort, if any.

The aforementioned research also suggested that sometimes the stress caused by culture shock can stimulate one’s passion for cultural learning, which can speed up people’s adaptation to new cultural circumstances. That’s why it might be beneficial to work on trying to minimize said stress rather than eliminating it altogether.