What's Culture Shock
Posted: Sunday, January 09, 2011
by Thomas Howland
Just how significant are cultural differences? It's a lot worse than most people think. Unfortunately most of us are blind to them, that is, we live out our daily lives unaware how the person standing right next to us is thinking. For example, even though both countries speak English in Great Brittan the hood of your car is called a bonnet while the trunk is called the boot. This difference in the meaning of the same word can be so great that an American visiting Great Brittan can get by--but just barely. The same goes for someone from Great Brittan visiting the United States. Even though they're speaking English they can get by but just barely.
I. Most people finish their work first. It doesn't matter what the work is, but it always comes first. Whereas a lazy man thinks never do today what you can put off until tomorrow; or find some way to make someone else do the work; or find the easy way out of the situation. They're not looking for the easy way because it's more efficient, but because they‘re lazy.
II. At the end of the Presidents four year term if you can look back and the economy has prospered then the Democrat has had a successful term. For Republicans a successful term means we have defended our way of life-our freedoms, or our rights.
III. Women here in the United States communicate better than men. They talk to each other about things. When I say things--I mean everything! Things like I had sex with my husband last night and it was great, or it was a bust. Men don't talk openly about such things. We communicate about this topic by telling jokes. Women also want to be included in important decisions. They get their feelings hurt when you don't include them. I had to learn this lesson the hard way. My nephew had lost his job and become destitute, so I told him to come and live with us. And, although she was OK with it, my wife was offended because I didn't consult with her first. She felt like that was an important decision. Ever try living with women when they get mad. They may not say much, but you're not getting any either.
IV. When I was growing up I had a brother. Most of the time we covered up for each other, sometimes I would even lie for my brother if I needed to. Black people think in terms of a brother or a sister even though they're not actually related. In addition, black people tend to stick together better than white people because of their past, that is, slavery.
Black people serve in the military. They're willing to fight, and if needed die for this country. A black man thinks I am not a coward. I'm willing to die for my country. What more can you ask? And, I still have to take it-the N-word!
V. Protestants think in terms of Jesus, e.g. the only way to the Father is through the Son. You must be reborn so-to-speak, or become a new person. You believe/accept that Jesus is the son of God. Then, Jesus pays the price for your sins. If you don't the punishment is Hell. Catholics, on the other hand, think in terms of Mary. You must first accept the Son, but immediately turn to Mary because all my righteousness is as a filth rag. I am so filthy can't even pray. Mary please pray for me.
VI. Even animals think differently than we do too. When you and I get a new pet we usually think of them only as a pet. Some people seem to love their dog or cat so much they refer to them as a member of the family. That's actually pretty close to the way animals think, but it's not enough. You or I could adopt a child and we would love the child as if they were our own. We would even give our life to protect the adopted child if it were needed. That's kind-of the way animals think. They think of themselves as being adopted. Not just a member of the family, but adopted.
These are only a few examples of what cultural differences look like. There are a lot more. You may not have even been aware these differences exist-but that's culture shock.
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