Culture shock when moving from a 1st world nation to another 1st world nation? (apartments, credit card)

[orca17]

Originally Posted by OZpharmer

Are most Americans not aware of the types of paper sizes? (e.g. A4, B4, etc.)

The short answer is that we are not. Paper in the US is identified by dimensions, expressed in inches (8.5"x11", 8.5"x14", etc.).

[Mac15]

Yes of course. If I moved to Italy or Spain I know for sure that I could not cope as I don't really like their culture. I don't like the way its really hot there all the time either. If I moved to Norway even though its foreign I think it would be a little different. Anglophone countries I could just settle in straight away, I bet if I moved to America I would not even take a month to settle down.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Amelorn

"Culture shock" is generally grossly overused, especially for travel between developed/1st world majority Caucasian countries (US, Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, etc). A country where everything isn't exactly like it is back in Small town, USA is not culture shock.

Government types are widely compatible (ie, you are going from one liberal democratic system to another), food is recognisable, value systems are broadly similar, English is widely spoken (where it isn't an official language), banking is hassle free, supermarkets exist and don't overwhelm you (ie you can figure out what Bier and Apfel are in a German supermarket etc etc).

The only advanced, 1st world country that I can think of with substantial, actual culture shock would be Japan. Language and culture are major departures from the Western comfort zone, for example. Going into the supermarket and one would have a hard time figuring out what something is beneath the packaging and Japanese characters.

Good points. I think it is over-used and exaggerated as well.

It really boils down to a question of personality, attitude and experience. I know people who say they get culture shock from going to certain parts of their own city. And who say it "feels like a foreign country".

For me personally, I don't really feel like a "fish out of water" anywhere that could be broadly called "western" and reasonably developed. And this is regardless of whether I speak the language or not. Things feel quite normal and familiar to me in Slovakia or Brazil. Not exactly like home of course, and it's not like other countries like the US, UK, Australia, or France, but certainly the differences aren't enough for me to totally lose my bearings.

Fish out of water places for me would be like China, India, etc.

[OptimusPrime69]

I've never expereinced straight-up "culture shock" while traveling outside the US....probably because my travels have been mostly to other "1st world countries."

For example, I spent 6 weeks in Australia one summer (Australian winter) and while there were many little differences in language, driving, topography, etc... I never felt completely like "OMG, what is this?" or... anything like that. I found Australia to be quite like America actually....in a lot of ways regarding day-to-day living. . Australia has a car-culture I feel similar to the US, language was generally the same, TV, news, newspapers, internet speeds, roads, etc.... all pretty similar... Even driving around the suburbs of Sydney was similar to US... houses, shops, movie theaters, etc. I spent a lot of time at the Warringah Mall... same stores at US malls--- kinda disappointed at that, but whatever.

Also, I spent a lot of time in Athens, Greece and that was a lot different that the US or Australia....tho not so different to where I experienced culture shock.

Part of me wants to experience culture shock. like, actual shock---

[Ameriscot]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

I've never expereinced straight-up "culture shock" while traveling outside the US....probably because my travels have been mostly to other "1st world countries."

For example, I spent 6 weeks in Australia one summer (Australian winter) and while there were many little differences in language, driving, topography, etc... I never felt completely like "OMG, what is this?" or... anything like that. I found Australia to be quite like America actually....in a lot of ways regarding day-to-day living. . Australia has a car-culture I feel similar to the US, language was generally the same, TV, news, newspapers, internet speeds, roads, etc.... all pretty similar... Even driving around the suburbs of Sydney was similar to US... houses, shops, movie theaters, etc. I spent a lot of time at the Warringah Mall... same stores at US malls--- kinda disappointed at that, but whatever.

Also, I spent a lot of time in Athens, Greece and that was a lot different that the US or Australia....tho not so different to where I experienced culture shock.

Part of me wants to experience culture shock. like, actual shock---

Pick almost any country in Africa is you want true culture shock.

[Ameriscot]

Originally Posted by owenc

Yes of course. If I moved to Italy or Spain I know for sure that I could not cope as I don't really like their culture. I don't like the way its really hot there all the time either. If I moved to Norway even though its foreign I think it would be a little different. Anglophone countries I could just settle in straight away, I bet if I moved to America I would not even take a month to settle down.

I doubt that.

[Ag77845]

If you are well informed and well prepared, you won't be shocked.

[cali3448893]

Originally Posted by Ameriscot

I doubt that.

I usually dont say this to many people on city data but are you anti-american?

[Ameriscot]

Originally Posted by cali3448893

I usually dont say this to many people on city data but are you anti-american?

How does telling a guy from Northern Ireland that it would take him more than a month to adjust to US culture equate to being anti-American?

[Joe90]

Originally Posted by cali3448893

I usually dont say this to many people on city data but are you anti-american?

Yes, the anti -american sentiment in those three words, was plain for all to see. That sentence was so full of hate and fury, that I felt physically ill just reading it.