Skip Navigation LinksModule3-Unit1: Culture : hw (34) - individual

Started: 10/24/2022 9:58 AM
Picture Placeholder: Mugurel Patrichi
Picture: Mugurel Patrichi
  • Mugurel Patrichi

HW (3/4) - Individual

​Have you ever experienced a culture shock? How did it feel? Which strategies were useful to overcome this shock? 


Output: comment to this post or post a podcast or a short video ​

Picture: Mugurel Patrichi
  • Mugurel Patrichi
http://neptun:80/my/User%20Photos/Profile%20Pictures/mugurel_MThumb.jpg" alt="Picture: Mugurel Patrichi" />
Mugurel Patrichi

​Have you ever experienced a culture shock? How did it feel? Which strategies were useful to overcome this shock? 


Output: comment to this post or post a podcast or a short video ​

5910/24/2022 9:58 AM10/24/2022 9:58 AMNo
Posted: 10/26/2022 6:04 PM
Picture Placeholder: Carolin Rothemeyer
Picture Placeholder: Carolin Rothemeyer
  • Carolin Rothemeyer

When studying abroad in Malaysia, I was culture shock right from the beginning. I was overwhelmed by the high building, which were everywhere and always. I was confused by the language and the ways how they would communicate. Everything was too much for me, and even groceries hopping became a challenge. What I did was that I was going more slowly for all things. I took my time for everything. Staring out of the window and getting used to being inside the skyscraper. When grocery shopping, I picked the most "European" shop and went there every time. I let myself walk multiple times around the store to get a better felling of the structure and the people. From then on, the culture shock became better very fast. I started loving Malaysia and all people. Also, when learning Malaysian, I found it super beneficial for me and for talking to people on the streets.

Picture Placeholder: Carolin Rothemeyer
  • Carolin Rothemeyer
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Carolin Rothemeyer" />
Carolin Rothemeyer

When studying abroad in Malaysia, I was culture shock right from the beginning. I was overwhelmed by the high building, which were everywhere and always. I was confused by the language and the ways how they would communicate. Everything was too much for me, and even groceries hopping became a challenge. What I did was that I was going more slowly for all things. I took my time for everything. Staring out of the window and getting used to being inside the skyscraper. When grocery shopping, I picked the most "European" shop and went there every time. I let myself walk multiple times around the store to get a better felling of the structure and the people. From then on, the culture shock became better very fast. I started loving Malaysia and all people. Also, when learning Malaysian, I found it super beneficial for me and for talking to people on the streets.

Mugurel Patrichi3010/26/2022 6:04 PM10/26/2022 6:04 PM
Posted: 10/30/2022 4:41 PM
Picture Placeholder: Gopi Krisshna Tuticorin Harihara Subramanian
Picture Placeholder: Gopi Krisshna Tuticorin Harihara Subramanian
  • Gopi Krisshna Tuticorin Harihara Subramanian

This was already known to me before I experienced but when I saw this in action it was a bit confusing at the beginning. I know that Germans are direct in terms of giving comments or talking in general (before even coming to Germany). But when I met a couple of German people and spoke to them they responded in a tone that I was not ready for. In India we do not provide feedback or comment with a direct answer. It is always a form of communication where we just give a hint or be a bit more subtle. If we provide a direct comment or an answer then it is considered somewhat rude. But then I experienced it here and not I think I got used to it somewhat with the Germans, because now I have started to answer people or provide feedback directly, which I do not do it normally!​ The tables have turned I suppose :D

Picture Placeholder: Gopi Krisshna Tuticorin Harihara Subramanian
  • Gopi Krisshna Tuticorin Harihara Subramanian
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Gopi Krisshna Tuticorin Harihara Subramanian" />
Gopi Krisshna Tuticorin Harihara Subramanian

This was already known to me before I experienced but when I saw this in action it was a bit confusing at the beginning. I know that Germans are direct in terms of giving comments or talking in general (before even coming to Germany). But when I met a couple of German people and spoke to them they responded in a tone that I was not ready for. In India we do not provide feedback or comment with a direct answer. It is always a form of communication where we just give a hint or be a bit more subtle. If we provide a direct comment or an answer then it is considered somewhat rude. But then I experienced it here and not I think I got used to it somewhat with the Germans, because now I have started to answer people or provide feedback directly, which I do not do it normally!​ The tables have turned I suppose :D

Mugurel Patrichi3010/30/2022 4:41 PM10/30/2022 4:41 PM
Posted: 11/7/2022 6:36 PM
Picture Placeholder: Santtu Viljami Räsänen
Picture Placeholder: Santtu Viljami Räsänen
  • Santtu Viljami Räsänen

​I was in a Erasmus exchange program in Spain when I was 15 and that was a place where I had my first cultural shock. We have been taught in Finland that the breakfast is the most important meal of the day and you should have atleast 50% of your plate ¨something green¨. This was not the case in Fuente-Alamo. I was served one white bread with nutella for breakfast and the meal for the day was one tunasandwich. I felt I was going to die. But after the long day in the evening ¨about 21:00 ish..¨ we had a huge meal with meat and everything. They ate so late and so much meat that I felt like sleeping all the time. I don´t know how do they survive with no vegetables or fruits during the day. The energy levels felt like a rollercoaster in Spain. 

Picture Placeholder: Santtu Viljami Räsänen
  • Santtu Viljami Räsänen
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Santtu Viljami Räsänen" />
Santtu Viljami Räsänen

​I was in a Erasmus exchange program in Spain when I was 15 and that was a place where I had my first cultural shock. We have been taught in Finland that the breakfast is the most important meal of the day and you should have atleast 50% of your plate ¨something green¨. This was not the case in Fuente-Alamo. I was served one white bread with nutella for breakfast and the meal for the day was one tunasandwich. I felt I was going to die. But after the long day in the evening ¨about 21:00 ish..¨ we had a huge meal with meat and everything. They ate so late and so much meat that I felt like sleeping all the time. I don´t know how do they survive with no vegetables or fruits during the day. The energy levels felt like a rollercoaster in Spain. 

Mugurel Patrichi3011/7/2022 6:36 PM11/7/2022 6:36 PM
Posted: 11/9/2022 6:19 PM
Picture Placeholder: Jose Torres
Picture Placeholder: Jose Torres
  • Jose Torres

​I moved to Paris, France, in 2018 at the age of 19. Prior to my big move, I had done a lot of studying and tried to prepare myself for anything that I may encounter in regard to culture shock. In short, I did a pretty good job because there were no big culture shock moments for me in France. 

However! It was the reverse culture shock that really got to me when I went back home to the USA after 2 years of living in France. Seeing my homecountry through a new lense was really bizarre, and at a point, overwhelming even. What helped with this was to try and remind myself of my old routines and habits that used to be normal to me when I used to live there. This helped making visiting home enjoyable again, while also allowing me to distance myself a bit from what I knew was a life of mine that no longer is.​​

Picture Placeholder: Jose Torres
  • Jose Torres
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Jose Torres" />
Jose Torres

​I moved to Paris, France, in 2018 at the age of 19. Prior to my big move, I had done a lot of studying and tried to prepare myself for anything that I may encounter in regard to culture shock. In short, I did a pretty good job because there were no big culture shock moments for me in France. 

However! It was the reverse culture shock that really got to me when I went back home to the USA after 2 years of living in France. Seeing my homecountry through a new lense was really bizarre, and at a point, overwhelming even. What helped with this was to try and remind myself of my old routines and habits that used to be normal to me when I used to live there. This helped making visiting home enjoyable again, while also allowing me to distance myself a bit from what I knew was a life of mine that no longer is.​​

Mugurel Patrichi3011/9/2022 6:19 PM11/9/2022 6:19 PM
Posted: 11/10/2022 3:12 PM
Picture Placeholder: Charlotte Creach
Picture Placeholder: Charlotte Creach
  • Charlotte Creach

I have never experienced a very important shock culture. However, when I am in Finland, there are some aspects that seem strange to me (although it varies a lot depending on the Finnish people speaking). For example the fact of not speaking at work or in the evening seems to me very far from what one can see and hear in France. Indeed, in France we are rather talkative and will look for subjects of discussions to integrate. In addition, people in France are much more disciplined than in France, they are more patient (for example to get on the bus) they take a personal space that we do not have in France.

Picture Placeholder: Charlotte Creach
  • Charlotte Creach
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Charlotte Creach" />
Charlotte Creach

I have never experienced a very important shock culture. However, when I am in Finland, there are some aspects that seem strange to me (although it varies a lot depending on the Finnish people speaking). For example the fact of not speaking at work or in the evening seems to me very far from what one can see and hear in France. Indeed, in France we are rather talkative and will look for subjects of discussions to integrate. In addition, people in France are much more disciplined than in France, they are more patient (for example to get on the bus) they take a personal space that we do not have in France.

Mugurel Patrichi3011/10/2022 3:12 PM11/10/2022 3:12 PM
Posted: 11/11/2022 5:09 PM
Picture Placeholder: GLADUNEAC M. MIHAELA
Picture Placeholder: GLADUNEAC M. MIHAELA
  • GLADUNEAC M. MIHAELA

Of course, I can say that there were more culture shocks, one was when I went to Germany and noticed that everyone was sitting everywhere, actually not only standing on the grass but also on the asphalt, on any sidewalk. It was very strange for the first time, but I'm not the type of person to feel uncomfortable in such situations, maybe the first five minutes, you know after that I was also standing on the floor without any problem. And the second was when I went to Italy for an intership and I noticed that there people really eat pasta and rice every day, honestly I couldn't be that tolerant there after three months of pasta and rice I even dreamed of eating a soup.​

Picture Placeholder: GLADUNEAC M. MIHAELA
  • GLADUNEAC M. MIHAELA
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: GLADUNEAC M. MIHAELA" />
GLADUNEAC M. MIHAELA

Of course, I can say that there were more culture shocks, one was when I went to Germany and noticed that everyone was sitting everywhere, actually not only standing on the grass but also on the asphalt, on any sidewalk. It was very strange for the first time, but I'm not the type of person to feel uncomfortable in such situations, maybe the first five minutes, you know after that I was also standing on the floor without any problem. And the second was when I went to Italy for an intership and I noticed that there people really eat pasta and rice every day, honestly I couldn't be that tolerant there after three months of pasta and rice I even dreamed of eating a soup.​

Mugurel Patrichi3011/11/2022 5:09 PM11/11/2022 5:09 PM
Posted: 11/13/2022 7:53 AM
Picture Placeholder: Katarzyna Sawicka
Picture Placeholder: Katarzyna Sawicka
  • Katarzyna Sawicka

HOW ARE YOU?

Yes, I have experienced a cultural shock. When I moved to United States of America from small village in Poland. In my country, it is not common to talk to strangers or to ask them the question 'How are you?'.  It is not common to just casually start talking to a person we have never seen before.

When I first arrived in the U.S. everyone was asking me 'How are you', 'How is it going', and at first, I was confused as to why they would want to know it?  I would give them a full lecture on how it is really going. But after a few, rather strange looks I realised this is not what they are asking me about. I realised that my answer should be short and to the point and I should ask them the same question without even waiting for them to reply.

In Poland, only your closest friends would ask you the question when they would really want to know, otherwise it is not common to ask, and for sure not the strangers.​

SHOES IN THE HOUSE

Another time when I experienced a cultural shock was when I saw people wearing shoes inside their house or lying-in bed. This is not acceptable in Polish household. It is considered rude. I could not understand, as it seems disrespectful towards the person whos house it is.

WEARING A HAT WHEN STTING AT THE TABLE

Another example is wearing hat while sitting at the table or eating. In Poland it is a rule that once a person is sat at the table or is eating, the hat should not be on their head. The same principal applies when entering someone's house for men. A man (as a gentleman) should remove the hat off their head when sitting at the table and the woman should remove their hat when sitting for a substantial meal.

YOU

Addressing everyone as 'you' no matter their age and seniority. In my country, you are not supposed to address someone as 'you' unless you are given a verbal permission, especially if it is clear that you are addressing an older person. The same principal applies to teachers, professors etc. You would always address them in a formal way such as 'Sir/Madame' or 'Professor'. At the beginning it was hard for me to understand that I can call everyone 'you' or by their first name, even though I only just met them, they are my teacher, or they are clearly older.

To overcome all of the above it took some time. But I was reading about the U.S. customs and was trying to understand it. At the moment, I am in between, when it comes to asking people 'How are you' I would do it, and I think it is a nice thing to do, it breaks the ice, and it makes people feel better. I am still unsure about the shoes in the house and a hat at the dining table is still a no for me. Addressing people 'you' I have no problem doing it in English – it seems natural, but I would still not do it in Polish, but I also know that would not be welcomed in Poland.


Picture Placeholder: Katarzyna Sawicka
  • Katarzyna Sawicka
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Katarzyna Sawicka" />
Katarzyna Sawicka

HOW ARE YOU?

Yes, I have experienced a cultural shock. When I moved to United States of America from small village in Poland. In my country, it is not common to talk to strangers or to ask them the question 'How are you?'.  It is not common to just casually start talking to a person we have never seen before.

When I first arrived in the U.S. everyone was asking me 'How are you', 'How is it going', and at first, I was confused as to why they would want to know it?  I would give them a full lecture on how it is really going. But after a few, rather strange looks I realised this is not what they are asking me about. I realised that my answer should be short and to the point and I should ask them the same question without even waiting for them to reply.

In Poland, only your closest friends would ask you the question when they would really want to know, otherwise it is not common to ask, and for sure not the strangers.​

SHOES IN THE HOUSE

Another time when I experienced a cultural shock was when I saw people wearing shoes inside their house or lying-in bed. This is not acceptable in Polish household. It is considered rude. I could not understand, as it seems disrespectful towards the person whos house it is.

WEARING A HAT WHEN STTING AT THE TABLE

Another example is wearing hat while sitting at the table or eating. In Poland it is a rule that once a person is sat at the table or is eating, the hat should not be on their head. The same principal applies when entering someone's house for men. A man (as a gentleman) should remove the hat off their head when sitting at the table and the woman should remove their hat when sitting for a substantial meal.

YOU

Addressing everyone as 'you' no matter their age and seniority. In my country, you are not supposed to address someone as 'you' unless you are given a verbal permission, especially if it is clear that you are addressing an older person. The same principal applies to teachers, professors etc. You would always address them in a formal way such as 'Sir/Madame' or 'Professor'. At the beginning it was hard for me to understand that I can call everyone 'you' or by their first name, even though I only just met them, they are my teacher, or they are clearly older.

To overcome all of the above it took some time. But I was reading about the U.S. customs and was trying to understand it. At the moment, I am in between, when it comes to asking people 'How are you' I would do it, and I think it is a nice thing to do, it breaks the ice, and it makes people feel better. I am still unsure about the shoes in the house and a hat at the dining table is still a no for me. Addressing people 'you' I have no problem doing it in English – it seems natural, but I would still not do it in Polish, but I also know that would not be welcomed in Poland.


Mugurel Patrichi3011/13/2022 7:53 AM11/13/2022 7:53 AM
Posted: 11/13/2022 8:09 PM
Picture Placeholder: MORARIU M. ROXANA-MIHAELA
Picture Placeholder: MORARIU M. ROXANA-MIHAELA
  • MORARIU M. ROXANA-MIHAELA

The biggest culture shock that comes to mind happened while I was in the USA. USA was the first country I have traveled to abroad and even though I grew up surrounded by so much American media, nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to witness there. And while I had previously heard about this small talk thing that happens there, I always thought that it's not true since I also heard how they live to work there and how time is money, so to me the two never mixed well together. After arriving I noticed that everywhere I was going to I would be greated, as I later learned, with the famous "How's it going?". Naturally, this felt weird as I had no intention of talking about my day with some strager on the street, ​given that I was living in the suburbs, or with cashiers or other such people. This question was always accompanied by a smile that never felt natural to me, which made the whole experience even more awkward. ​With the time though I learned about the mening and expectations that come with the "How's it going?" and learned eventually to treat this as a casual greeting for the remaining of my stay there.​

Picture Placeholder: MORARIU M. ROXANA-MIHAELA
  • MORARIU M. ROXANA-MIHAELA
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: MORARIU M. ROXANA-MIHAELA" />
MORARIU M. ROXANA-MIHAELA

The biggest culture shock that comes to mind happened while I was in the USA. USA was the first country I have traveled to abroad and even though I grew up surrounded by so much American media, nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to witness there. And while I had previously heard about this small talk thing that happens there, I always thought that it's not true since I also heard how they live to work there and how time is money, so to me the two never mixed well together. After arriving I noticed that everywhere I was going to I would be greated, as I later learned, with the famous "How's it going?". Naturally, this felt weird as I had no intention of talking about my day with some strager on the street, ​given that I was living in the suburbs, or with cashiers or other such people. This question was always accompanied by a smile that never felt natural to me, which made the whole experience even more awkward. ​With the time though I learned about the mening and expectations that come with the "How's it going?" and learned eventually to treat this as a casual greeting for the remaining of my stay there.​

Mugurel Patrichi3011/13/2022 8:09 PM11/13/2022 8:09 PM
Posted: 11/15/2022 3:39 PM
Picture Placeholder: Alissa Kasurinen
Picture Placeholder: Alissa Kasurinen
  • Alissa Kasurinen

​​One of the biggest differences between Swedish and Finnish culture is money talk. In Sweden, we talk very openly about money and salaries. In Finland it feels almost forbidden to talk about money. This was a big shock for me when I moved to FInland and still is after 14 years of living here. For example, at work they looked at me like I was crazy when I openly stated my salary. 




Picture Placeholder: Alissa Kasurinen
  • Alissa Kasurinen
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Alissa Kasurinen" />
Alissa Kasurinen

​​One of the biggest differences between Swedish and Finnish culture is money talk. In Sweden, we talk very openly about money and salaries. In Finland it feels almost forbidden to talk about money. This was a big shock for me when I moved to FInland and still is after 14 years of living here. For example, at work they looked at me like I was crazy when I openly stated my salary. 




Mugurel Patrichi3011/15/2022 3:39 PM11/15/2022 3:39 PM
Posted: 11/18/2022 7:04 PM
Picture Placeholder: LIVITCHI V. MARIA-ELENA
Picture Placeholder: LIVITCHI V. MARIA-ELENA
  • LIVITCHI V. MARIA-ELENA

I moved from the Republic of Moldova to Romania. Apparently we share the same language and the same customs. However, since I came I started to discover a looot of interesting differences. Here are some of them:


Ce faci? ~ the Romanian "How are you"?

In the Republic of Moldova if you ask someone "Ce faci?" it literally means "what are you doing". So you will go and ask a moldovan "ce faci" only when you really wanna now what activity he/she is doing. When I came to Romania people where saying hi to me and then "ce faci?". I was really confused, like why a dorm neighbour that I met like 1 day ago would ask me what am I doing when I am getting out of the building?! At the begining I was answering something like "nothing in particular", and they where even more confused than me. Little did I know that people in Romania use to ask "how are you" which my brain could not filter it as "how are doing/ how are feeling/ what's up?".  ​

Texting

In Moldova if you get a message like "Hey, how are you?" it means this is just a polite introduction because that person really needs something from you, he/she has a question that will follow. In Romania if you just miss a friend, or you simply wanna talk, you text someone "Hey, how are you?" and the disscusion really goes about this.


Holidays

All the holidays for me in Romania were 2 weeks earlier. It is about the religious holidays, such as Saints' name days. In Moldova the Orthodox Church still uses the Julian Calendar, this is why Christmas in Romania is on 25th of December, but for my family, in Moldova, Christmas is celebrated on 7th of January. 


Food

The main difference I noticed was on my first Easter in Romania. We have a cake we call "cozonac" and "pasca". For me, as a moldovan with ucranian roots also, this is what both of these cakes mean: 

​​​COZONAC
Moldova 
you eat only at Easter
Romania
cozonac all year round :))​
Russian Kulich Recipe
Cozonac fara framantare - reteta video » JamilaCuisine

PASCA​​
Moldova 
it is mostly salty
Romania
it is sweet​
Пасха с творогом несладкая! Шикарное тесто для пасхальной выпечки! - YouTube
Cum sa faci cea mai buna pasca de Pasti - 20 de retete simple si gustoase |  Bucataria romaneasca | Gustos.ro


Also, we call some things differently in Romania and in the Republic of Moldova. For example let's take the most confusing word for food :))

​PEPENE
​Moldova
Romania​
Castraveti Cornichon, +/- 1kg - Auchan online
In Romania they call it "Castravete"
Hidratare cu pepene roșu
In Moldova we call it "Harbuz"​


Also I visited other countries, but did not stay in for so much time to feel some culture shocks. Maybe I can spot something about Ireland. People there seem too nice! I was taking pictures near a road and a car stopped just for the people to tell me good morning. It was quite scary the first time, not gonna lie :)) But in fact this is very nice, I wish people in my country would do the same, at least time by time. It is so nice to be nice.

Picture Placeholder: LIVITCHI V. MARIA-ELENA
  • LIVITCHI V. MARIA-ELENA
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: LIVITCHI V. MARIA-ELENA" />
LIVITCHI V. MARIA-ELENA

I moved from the Republic of Moldova to Romania. Apparently we share the same language and the same customs. However, since I came I started to discover a looot of interesting differences. Here are some of them:


Ce faci? ~ the Romanian "How are you"?

In the Republic of Moldova if you ask someone "Ce faci?" it literally means "what are you doing". So you will go and ask a moldovan "ce faci" only when you really wanna now what activity he/she is doing. When I came to Romania people where saying hi to me and then "ce faci?". I was really confused, like why a dorm neighbour that I met like 1 day ago would ask me what am I doing when I am getting out of the building?! At the begining I was answering something like "nothing in particular", and they where even more confused than me. Little did I know that people in Romania use to ask "how are you" which my brain could not filter it as "how are doing/ how are feeling/ what's up?".  ​

Texting

In Moldova if you get a message like "Hey, how are you?" it means this is just a polite introduction because that person really needs something from you, he/she has a question that will follow. In Romania if you just miss a friend, or you simply wanna talk, you text someone "Hey, how are you?" and the disscusion really goes about this.


Holidays

All the holidays for me in Romania were 2 weeks earlier. It is about the religious holidays, such as Saints' name days. In Moldova the Orthodox Church still uses the Julian Calendar, this is why Christmas in Romania is on 25th of December, but for my family, in Moldova, Christmas is celebrated on 7th of January. 


Food

The main difference I noticed was on my first Easter in Romania. We have a cake we call "cozonac" and "pasca". For me, as a moldovan with ucranian roots also, this is what both of these cakes mean: 

​​​COZONAC
Moldova 
you eat only at Easter
Romania
cozonac all year round :))​
Russian Kulich Recipe
Cozonac fara framantare - reteta video » JamilaCuisine

PASCA​​
Moldova 
it is mostly salty
Romania
it is sweet​
Пасха с творогом несладкая! Шикарное тесто для пасхальной выпечки! - YouTube
Cum sa faci cea mai buna pasca de Pasti - 20 de retete simple si gustoase |  Bucataria romaneasca | Gustos.ro


Also, we call some things differently in Romania and in the Republic of Moldova. For example let's take the most confusing word for food :))

​PEPENE
​Moldova
Romania​
Castraveti Cornichon, +/- 1kg - Auchan online
In Romania they call it "Castravete"
Hidratare cu pepene roșu
In Moldova we call it "Harbuz"​


Also I visited other countries, but did not stay in for so much time to feel some culture shocks. Maybe I can spot something about Ireland. People there seem too nice! I was taking pictures near a road and a car stopped just for the people to tell me good morning. It was quite scary the first time, not gonna lie :)) But in fact this is very nice, I wish people in my country would do the same, at least time by time. It is so nice to be nice.

Mugurel Patrichi3011/18/2022 7:04 PM11/18/2022 7:04 PM
Posted: 11/19/2022 11:43 AM
Picture Placeholder: DARIE I. LAVINIA TEODORA
Picture Placeholder: DARIE I. LAVINIA TEODORA
  • DARIE I. LAVINIA TEODORA

By far, I did not encounter cultural shocks towards a completely different culture than mine. Still, among European countries, there were some moments when I was a bit...confused:


Lunch breaks in Italy

In Italy, stores and businesses in general have a lunch break, usually 12:30 to 13:30. This riposo shocked me at first, because I really wanted to buy something for lunch and everything was closed. I came to understand and even like it in the end, since it`s usually refreshing to have some time off or nap during lunch hours.


Card payments in Amsterdam

The amount of stores that only took card in Amsterdam really shocked me. Our hotel, transportation, fast-foods, bakeries, museums and cafes,  they all accepted mostly card only. Me and my friend didn`t actually come prepared for it, but we made it work in the end, being super confused of how almost everything accepts card-only payments.

Picture Placeholder: DARIE I. LAVINIA TEODORA
  • DARIE I. LAVINIA TEODORA
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: DARIE I. LAVINIA TEODORA" />
DARIE I. LAVINIA TEODORA

By far, I did not encounter cultural shocks towards a completely different culture than mine. Still, among European countries, there were some moments when I was a bit...confused:


Lunch breaks in Italy

In Italy, stores and businesses in general have a lunch break, usually 12:30 to 13:30. This riposo shocked me at first, because I really wanted to buy something for lunch and everything was closed. I came to understand and even like it in the end, since it`s usually refreshing to have some time off or nap during lunch hours.


Card payments in Amsterdam

The amount of stores that only took card in Amsterdam really shocked me. Our hotel, transportation, fast-foods, bakeries, museums and cafes,  they all accepted mostly card only. Me and my friend didn`t actually come prepared for it, but we made it work in the end, being super confused of how almost everything accepts card-only payments.

Mugurel Patrichi3011/19/2022 11:43 AM11/19/2022 11:43 AM
Edited: 11/20/2022 6:04 PM
Picture Placeholder: Turtureanu Malina
Picture Placeholder: Turtureanu Malina
  • Turtureanu Malina

​I don't know if I experienced a veritable cultural shock till now, but I have to admit that I was pretty surprised when I found out how popular are mushrooms in Czech Republic. They told me that even in trains (and after I have heard that story I am not complayning anymore about romanian trains conditions), they have mushrooms growing through the floor. Also, anual competions for picking mushrooms and a multitude of awards for different categories of mushrooms pickers. They also had a cultural shock I guess when we told them that in Romania we buy mushrooms from supermarchet because for them is really uncommon. It was very intersting for me to find out all these amazing fun facts about Czech Republic people and their passion for mushrooms. ​

Picture Placeholder: Turtureanu Malina
  • Turtureanu Malina
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Turtureanu Malina" />
Turtureanu Malina

​I don't know if I experienced a veritable cultural shock till now, but I have to admit that I was pretty surprised when I found out how popular are mushrooms in Czech Republic. They told me that even in trains (and after I have heard that story I am not complayning anymore about romanian trains conditions), they have mushrooms growing through the floor. Also, anual competions for picking mushrooms and a multitude of awards for different categories of mushrooms pickers. They also had a cultural shock I guess when we told them that in Romania we buy mushrooms from supermarchet because for them is really uncommon. It was very intersting for me to find out all these amazing fun facts about Czech Republic people and their passion for mushrooms. ​

Mugurel Patrichi3011/20/2022 6:04 PM11/20/2022 6:04 PM
Posted: 11/20/2022 9:19 PM
Picture Placeholder: Ho Bao Cat Anh
Picture Placeholder: Ho Bao Cat Anh
  • Ho Bao Cat Anh

​I moved to Germany in 2019 which is a whole different country and culture compared to Vietnam, my hometown. To be honest, it was not easy at first to adapt to a whole new living environment where people have such different ways of behaving and expressing.

After 4 years living here, I feel like the only strategy to overcome it is to harmoize the new culture and the Vietnamese culture I've always been living in. For example, I love to cook Vietnamese food, but at the same time, it doesn't cause any harm to try some German traditional food such as schnitzel. And moreover, I also love to join networking platforms where I can make German friends, learn more about their culture and have them explain to me some cultural traits that are still confusing to me.​

Picture Placeholder: Ho Bao Cat Anh
  • Ho Bao Cat Anh
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Ho Bao Cat Anh" />
Ho Bao Cat Anh

​I moved to Germany in 2019 which is a whole different country and culture compared to Vietnam, my hometown. To be honest, it was not easy at first to adapt to a whole new living environment where people have such different ways of behaving and expressing.

After 4 years living here, I feel like the only strategy to overcome it is to harmoize the new culture and the Vietnamese culture I've always been living in. For example, I love to cook Vietnamese food, but at the same time, it doesn't cause any harm to try some German traditional food such as schnitzel. And moreover, I also love to join networking platforms where I can make German friends, learn more about their culture and have them explain to me some cultural traits that are still confusing to me.​

Mugurel Patrichi3011/20/2022 9:19 PM11/20/2022 9:19 PM
Posted: 11/20/2022 10:43 PM
Picture Placeholder: Atomei Alexia
Picture Placeholder: Atomei Alexia
  • Atomei Alexia

When I moved to Ireland  I will never forget how shoked I was when I saw how friendly strangers were with me and with everyone in general,always smiling and asking how are you, I was terrified like why they behave like this it is so intrusive for me but after a while I got used to it and I liked it, I find it nice now to be able to talk with anyone, but in Romania we learn that you should not talk to strangers, it may be dangerous.


Picture Placeholder: Atomei Alexia
  • Atomei Alexia
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Atomei Alexia" />
Atomei Alexia

When I moved to Ireland  I will never forget how shoked I was when I saw how friendly strangers were with me and with everyone in general,always smiling and asking how are you, I was terrified like why they behave like this it is so intrusive for me but after a while I got used to it and I liked it, I find it nice now to be able to talk with anyone, but in Romania we learn that you should not talk to strangers, it may be dangerous.


Mugurel Patrichi3011/20/2022 10:43 PM11/20/2022 10:43 PM
Posted: 11/21/2022 10:51 PM
Picture Placeholder: Zaidi Syed Sohaib Raza
Picture Placeholder: Zaidi Syed Sohaib Raza
  • Zaidi Syed Sohaib Raza



When I moved to the UAE in 2013, it was one of the best decisions of my life. I grew up a lot as a person and of course financially as well. I really liked this country. However, I feel somehow, the local people of the UAE are racist towards other nationalities. When they greet with each other, they show a lot of respect, love and care. Which is a very good thing. But when it comes to greeting or dealing with other nationalities, they are always very arrogant, and stubborn and show no respect which is a kind of cultural shock for me because in our country we give more respect to people of other nationalities.​

Picture Placeholder: Zaidi Syed Sohaib Raza
  • Zaidi Syed Sohaib Raza
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Zaidi Syed Sohaib Raza" />
Zaidi Syed Sohaib Raza



When I moved to the UAE in 2013, it was one of the best decisions of my life. I grew up a lot as a person and of course financially as well. I really liked this country. However, I feel somehow, the local people of the UAE are racist towards other nationalities. When they greet with each other, they show a lot of respect, love and care. Which is a very good thing. But when it comes to greeting or dealing with other nationalities, they are always very arrogant, and stubborn and show no respect which is a kind of cultural shock for me because in our country we give more respect to people of other nationalities.​

Mugurel Patrichi3011/21/2022 10:51 PM11/21/2022 10:51 PM
Posted: 11/21/2022 11:33 PM
Picture Placeholder: Soman Archana
Picture Placeholder: Soman Archana
  • Soman Archana

In 2014 I traveled to Germany, a European country, for the first time. It was a completely new and shocking experience for me. Starting with a time change of one hour to Central European Time every 6 months. Normally the days are long in summer and short in winter. There is no ceiling fan or air conditioning, instead, there are room heaters. No shopping centers or supermarkets are open on Sundays. The German school system is so different from the Indian school system. The gender-specific color codes differentiate boy and girl babies. It is usually blue for boys and pink for girls. These are some of the cultural shocks that surprise me and make me different from my hometown.​​

Picture Placeholder: Soman Archana
  • Soman Archana
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Soman Archana" />
Soman Archana

In 2014 I traveled to Germany, a European country, for the first time. It was a completely new and shocking experience for me. Starting with a time change of one hour to Central European Time every 6 months. Normally the days are long in summer and short in winter. There is no ceiling fan or air conditioning, instead, there are room heaters. No shopping centers or supermarkets are open on Sundays. The German school system is so different from the Indian school system. The gender-specific color codes differentiate boy and girl babies. It is usually blue for boys and pink for girls. These are some of the cultural shocks that surprise me and make me different from my hometown.​​

Mugurel Patrichi3011/21/2022 11:33 PM11/21/2022 11:33 PM
Posted: 11/22/2022 12:56 AM
Picture Placeholder: Kristian Ndahambelela Lengweni
Picture Placeholder: Kristian Ndahambelela Lengweni
  • Kristian Ndahambelela Lengweni

​It happened to me when I moved from Windhoek to Katima Mulilo in Namibia's north-eastern corner. Because this region is surrounded by Botswana to the south and Angola and Zambia to the north, the culture is quite distinct.​So, being in that region, I've noticed that young people, male and female, begin drinking traditional herbs to keep their bodies warm or to keep them active with their partners.​​​

It wasn't really a culture socks, but it was a new experience in life that inspired me to travel more and experience other cultures that are different from mine, as well as learn more.​

Picture Placeholder: Kristian Ndahambelela Lengweni
  • Kristian Ndahambelela Lengweni
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Kristian Ndahambelela Lengweni" />
Kristian Ndahambelela Lengweni

​It happened to me when I moved from Windhoek to Katima Mulilo in Namibia's north-eastern corner. Because this region is surrounded by Botswana to the south and Angola and Zambia to the north, the culture is quite distinct.​So, being in that region, I've noticed that young people, male and female, begin drinking traditional herbs to keep their bodies warm or to keep them active with their partners.​​​

It wasn't really a culture socks, but it was a new experience in life that inspired me to travel more and experience other cultures that are different from mine, as well as learn more.​

Mugurel Patrichi3011/22/2022 12:56 AM11/22/2022 12:56 AM
Posted: 11/22/2022 7:32 AM
Picture Placeholder: Nangombe Johanna Nangula
Picture Placeholder: Nangombe Johanna Nangula
  • Nangombe Johanna Nangula

​During my travel to the UK-England, my first culture shock was PDA- Public Display of Affection is on another level among teenagers. 13/14 years old kissing, hugging, and holding hands in public places such as bus stops, parks, and malls in front of family members and strangers were beyond shocking. Growing up in the Northern part of Namibia such things are supposed to be HIDDEN unless you want to lose a leg, African parents will deal with you when it comes to such things, they always say don't bring shame to my house. 

This all comes to my attention that people are brought up differently based on their culture and beliefs, always be open-minded and adjust to a new environment.


Picture Placeholder: Nangombe Johanna Nangula
  • Nangombe Johanna Nangula
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Nangombe Johanna Nangula" />
Nangombe Johanna Nangula

​During my travel to the UK-England, my first culture shock was PDA- Public Display of Affection is on another level among teenagers. 13/14 years old kissing, hugging, and holding hands in public places such as bus stops, parks, and malls in front of family members and strangers were beyond shocking. Growing up in the Northern part of Namibia such things are supposed to be HIDDEN unless you want to lose a leg, African parents will deal with you when it comes to such things, they always say don't bring shame to my house. 

This all comes to my attention that people are brought up differently based on their culture and beliefs, always be open-minded and adjust to a new environment.


Mugurel Patrichi3011/22/2022 7:32 AM11/22/2022 7:32 AM
Posted: 11/22/2022 8:31 AM
Picture Placeholder: Mukohongo Jairus Panduleni
Picture Placeholder: Mukohongo Jairus Panduleni
  • Mukohongo Jairus Panduleni

​One of our local culture here in Namibia known as Ovahimba people, shocked me with the way they live. How they don't bath with water like all of us do. Infact they smoke their bodies with herbs smoke. To do this, they put charcoal and herbs in a little bowl, use a blanket and cover themselves. when the smoke is trapped underneath the blanket that cause their body to sweat. That's taking the whole body bath now, after that thy only apply orche ' that's their traditional powder " which make them smell good.  This is due to the remote area they live in, northern parts of Namibia is very hot and excess to water is not that easy. 

For me I was shocked, by then I have to admit it is their culture. They are differ from mine. I got experience at least & now I know.

Picture Placeholder: Mukohongo Jairus Panduleni
  • Mukohongo Jairus Panduleni
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Mukohongo Jairus Panduleni" />
Mukohongo Jairus Panduleni

​One of our local culture here in Namibia known as Ovahimba people, shocked me with the way they live. How they don't bath with water like all of us do. Infact they smoke their bodies with herbs smoke. To do this, they put charcoal and herbs in a little bowl, use a blanket and cover themselves. when the smoke is trapped underneath the blanket that cause their body to sweat. That's taking the whole body bath now, after that thy only apply orche ' that's their traditional powder " which make them smell good.  This is due to the remote area they live in, northern parts of Namibia is very hot and excess to water is not that easy. 

For me I was shocked, by then I have to admit it is their culture. They are differ from mine. I got experience at least & now I know.

Mugurel Patrichi3011/22/2022 8:31 AM11/22/2022 8:31 AM
Edited: 11/22/2022 9:55 PM
Picture Placeholder: Dlomen Roshni Victorina
Picture Placeholder: Dlomen Roshni Victorina
  • Dlomen Roshni Victorina

​Greatest culture shock was being exposed to a 1st world country during a trip for the first time and then returning to your home country and being confronted by the noise, heat, dust, crowds and general chaos and realising how you lived with all that :D and Vice versa 1st world to 3rd world!

Picture Placeholder: Dlomen Roshni Victorina
  • Dlomen Roshni Victorina
/_layouts/15/images/person.gif" alt="Picture Placeholder: Dlomen Roshni Victorina" />
Dlomen Roshni Victorina

​Greatest culture shock was being exposed to a 1st world country during a trip for the first time and then returning to your home country and being confronted by the noise, heat, dust, crowds and general chaos and realising how you lived with all that :D and Vice versa 1st world to 3rd world!

Mugurel Patrichi3011/22/2022 9:52 PM11/22/2022 9:55 PM
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