Anthropology discussion: Culture shock
Cultural anthropology.
The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Lolita Nikolova, PhD
Created: August 3, 2009.
Last updated: September 9, 2009.
The Art Institute of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Lolita Nikolova, PhD
Created: August 3, 2009.
Last updated: September 9, 2009.
 | |  | |  |
Anonymous (9/10/09)
In a village tucked deep in the jungle of Borneo, lived a sixteen-year-old boy named John. John was a hunter like his
father. The village west of them started using new tools to aid them with hunting. John notices how efficient the new
tools were and wanted to incorporate them into his own hunting methods. The problem was, although the village west of
them spoke the same language; their dialect was different from John's creating a barrier between the two tribes. Soon
John conquered the communication differences and was taught how to make and use all the new hunting tools. John
began practicing his new methods. Although hunting was more convenient it was not traditional and John's father did not
approve. Soon all the village knew and he was named the villages' Dysfunctional member. After months of receiving the
cold shoulder from everyone he decided to move to the United States of America.
When John arrived to America he noticed many Cultural Universals. Such as couples holding hands, families embracing,
and married couples with children. Although John did not speak the English language he got by with Non-Verbal
Communication. Such as a kind gesture from a smiling flight attendant, pointing him in the right direction.
After a few years John began to date and met a nice girl, named Jane. John married Jane soon after and they had a son.
Their son was enculturated by his parents American and non-American ways from the time he was born.
Cameron Meek (8-23-09) [Midterm test]
When you hear the term "there are no bad people, just bad behavior," everyone will have a different opinion
weather or not they agree with the statement. I am one of the people who would not agree with it. It seems like
you could blame people for their action on their behavior but it is not an excuse.
The way you tell if someone is a good person or a bad person does not come from their behavior, it comes
from the decisions they made on a day to day basis. People make decisions before they act and it is those
decision where we can gauge just how bad these people are. So if I could change that quote I would say
something like this, "You can alway tell whether one person is good or bad
by the decisions they make."
Justin Buttars (8-10-09) [Response]
I have been culture shocked during my travels. There are several cases that will share below.
I had the opportunity to live in the Dakota having been breed and raised here in Utah. It was interesting and a
little disturbing to me how the people acted towards outsiders. They live in a lot of small communities and
everyone knows everyone. And they do not take too kindly to people that they do not know. But after being seen
around for a few months they warmed up to me. And then we were able to build some friendships.
And another time I think of culture shock is when at my work I was on a team that sent you too many different
airports to work. A group of us from Utah was deployed to go work at Chicago O’Hair Airport in Chicago, IL. It
was interesting to see the culture shock in the people from Utah and from Chicago. For example, the workers
at O’Hair airport were not used to people being nice to each other. The people from Utah were always in a
group working together. And always laughing and joking with each other. When one of them would have a
problem the group was there to help them through it. While the people from Chicago were dumbfounded at this
that people could truly be nice and care about one another.
During this deployment I was able to learn that many of those same people from Utah had never been to a
really big city before, and had no idea how to act in a big city. One evening while out in the town they were
riding on the “EL”. A member of the group pulled out a big wad of money and decided to count it in the train.
This is something you should never do in a big city. And he found out why. When they got off the train they were
mugged by a guy who was about 55 years old. He had a knife that was only about 1’ long. The people from the
Utah group were so scared that they gave him all of their money. This was an amount of about $1,000 total for
the group.
These are some of the incidents when I was able to observe people including myself involved in one or
another type of culture shock.
Melissa Beck (8-9-09) [Response]
Culture Shock is something that I fortunately have not had to deal with too much on a personal level although
traveling is one of my hobbies and I had visited many places. Nevertheless, I have yet to feel very
uncomfortable in large cities where I get anxiety. I don’t necessarily feel out of control per say, I feel out of my
element and over stimulated. Growing up in Salt Lake City has had its perks in the sense that I am close
enough to a decent city and I am also just far enough away to feel at bay with the anxiety that it provokes.
When I say anxiety, it is nothing that anyone could possibly notice unless you knew me well. I love to be
around people and events to a certain extent. A few hours are all that I need in a city to start to make me feel on
edge though. When I get to the point of “over stimulation” I walk very fast and cannot handle walking behind
others, I don’t like to continue detailed conversation and I like to find an open area that I can soak everything in.
Fortunately I don’t feel this way in my home town very often because I know my way around. I have only felt this
on a noticeable level in British Columbia, Seattle and many of the larger airports that I have been through.
Christi Zirbel (8-4-09) [Response followed by discussion in class]
I want to share a story about someone who experienced the shock in a different way then most of you
discussed in class:
I moved to a big city straight out of high school to start college. I loved it more then anything, I enjoyed the city
life, meeting new people, and my classes where great. I couldn't be more grateful to move away from the small
town that I grew up in, I felt very comfortable in the city. After living there for a while I had a great job, a loving
boyfriend, and was getting good grades in school.
As the days went on, shady thing after shady thing started happening to me. It started with the people I was
near to getting murdered, and moved onto a man trying to getting me to pull over when driving on the interstate
and when I wouldn't they tried to run me off the road. The problems quickly began to escalate from there.
Eventually, I wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone or take logical routes to and from places like school and
work, I couldn't drive my car more then a couple times in a row, and I hated being escorted everywhere. This
was the result of a stalker who knew my car, where I lived, and where I worked. When we finally got rid of him, it
was neighbors and acquaintances that started to do scary things that just made me scared of my environment
all the time. It was hard living constantly in fear, but I assumed it would all go away or I would learn how to handle
it because its just what happens in big cities. Unfortunately, it didn't get better. I was put through a couple more
trying situations, and the final one pushed me over the edge, I was sexually assaulted by a man I had simply
said hello to in passing a time or two. I was so shocked by the world I had become a part of that I couldn't stay...
it was time for me to move.
Justin Scheel (7-30-09) [Short response]
Most people question whether culture shock even exists. They find it hard to believe that a psychological
depression can result from being in a different culture. This is not the case however. Culture shock is a real
thing that can happen almost anywhere.
Culture shock can happen just about anywhere. It is as simple as being afraid of large cities, or the exact
opposite, small cities. Culture shock can happen inside a state or in a different country. People’s culture
changes from region to region. Culture shock is thought mostly as being in an unfamiliar place where no one
speaks the same language as you. This is how I thought of it when I first heard the word. There is no easy way
to get over culture shock. The only way is to suck it up and deal with it.
Charmain Chavez (7-29-09) [Response]
What is Culture Shock?? I would like to keep it simple and say we deal with it everyday just within the
changes of life and the natural progression but I know that it is much bigger then just everyday shocks. Maybe, I
should say that I have been so lucky to have my “culture shocked” I have truly enjoyed my good and bad
experiences. I can not wait to see what the future holds however just because I feel this way now does not mean
my views will change.
I created a culture shock for my son at an early age of seven. I moved him from Utah to Florida, removed him
from his family, friends, school, and everyday norms. I did not understand the impact it would have on him nor
myself. It was a change that was hard but more so for my son then myself. I am glad that I took the chance
because it has taught my son and myself many lessons.
Ilona Rowan (7-27-09) [Response]
By definition, culture shock is a condition of confusion and anxiety that can overwhelm a person in an alien
culture or milieu. The majority of immigrants experience this emotional impact at some point. Of course, there
are exceptions: some lucky folks never experience emotional or physical reactions that can result from finding
themselves in unknown environments or surroundings. Indeed, I was not one of those fortuitous individuals when
my plane landed in Miami in 2001 on my first visit to the U. S.
Experiencing a foreign language is a major factor in triggering culture shock. Without knowledge and
familiarity of the language, one cannot express themselves in the way they would like. Consequently, the
individual feels irrelevant, mindless and, yes, stupid.
Speaking from my own experience, which includes being born and raised in Russia, spending eight years in
Germany and then seven years in the USA, married to an American husband, raising my children as
Americans, but still being Russian at heart, I still attempt to fight the culture shock that occasionally occurs in my
daily routine.
Robert Leibhardt (7-29-09) [Discussion online]
.pdf
Jesse Taylor (7-27-09) [Response]
Culture Shock is in many ways what all of us experience when we find ourselves outside our comfort zone
without any easy way back into it. In a sense, all of us live inside a box. Some boxes are larger then others,
some smaller. When we find ourselves going into new territory outside of that box, we often feel anxiety,
disorientation, out-of-control, uncertainty, and fear. It is usually caused by leaving most of the things are
comfortable and familiar with behind and going into completely unfamiliar territory.
With culture shock, it is specifically the leaving of ones own culture and customs, then becoming immersed in
a different culture and society all-together. It does not necessarily need to be introduction to another country
either. Changing states, cities, even changing jobs has its levels of culture shock. On the surface it may appear
different then doing something new, but underneath the surface, our emotions and reactions are the same.
Doing anything new produces the same emotional conflict inside us that is created with culture shock.
Darlene Barnes (7-23-09) [Discussion online]
Since we are celebrating our Independence this month, I will focus my discussion on Culture shock around that.
When people migrate to our country I am sure it is a big shock to them to Have such freedoms that we do.
Being able to practice religion as we please, choose how large our families are going to be with out worrying
about one of them being taken away or killed, and choosing our own professions. But that is what is so
appealing about our country.
Its hard to say what is wrong or right when it comes to how countries are run. It molds for the people and their
cultures and the way they are used to living. If there are certain people that don't like it, or have better ideas for
themselves, they find a place to move that better suits their lifestyle.
Martha Parker (7-24-09) [Discussion online]
Culture Shock
"A form of psychological distress that can result in depression, overeating, or irritability."
I have been pondering a question for several weeks now that fits right into our cultural discussion from class,
but before I state my particular question, I will pose a more general one. Considering our discussion on
sympathy the first day of class, when does having sympathy for a culture unlike one's own become dangerous?
What if a traveler enters a culture where social activities, family traditions, or government control are things the
traveler truly feels endanger the people's lives, psychological well-being, or eternal salvation? Perhaps the
traveler realizes he or she is in a state of culture shock and wants to have sympathy for these people, but is
also in a state of inner turmoil, knowing (at least as far as he or she is concerned) that what the people are
doing is harmful to them. How does this person reconcile the desire for sympathy with the belief of danger?
When is that reconciliation considered leaving the people in danger and when is it considered respect for a
culture different from one's own?
Ilona Rowan (7-24-09) [Discussion online]
I think that Darlene's comment " When people migrate to our country I am sure it is a big shock to them to have
such freedoms that we do" is a generalized statement. There are many countries that enjoy the same
freedoms as America – including many European countries, Japan and Canada. While it is often said that
America is the greatest country in the world, you will find millions of people who prefer their own country to ours
after visiting here. People are loyal to their countries because of their culture, music, food, art, traditions and
memories. The American Dream is not just limited to America. People of all nationalities aspire to have
families, homes and livelihoods that they enjoy. It is true that many things are possible here as well but it takes
hard work, education, sacrifice and a little bit of luck. To be poor in America is very difficult and we have
millions of people below the poverty line without health insurance and many unwanted children in our foster and
welfare systems across the country. If an immigrant is driven, ambitious and willing to work very hard than he/or
she can achieve great success. However, the reality of American life is not as portrayed on television or in the
movies. America is a place where great things are possible if a significant effort is made. For many however,
it is a very hard place to live.
In a village tucked deep in the jungle of Borneo, lived a sixteen-year-old boy named John. John was a hunter like his
father. The village west of them started using new tools to aid them with hunting. John notices how efficient the new
tools were and wanted to incorporate them into his own hunting methods. The problem was, although the village west of
them spoke the same language; their dialect was different from John's creating a barrier between the two tribes. Soon
John conquered the communication differences and was taught how to make and use all the new hunting tools. John
began practicing his new methods. Although hunting was more convenient it was not traditional and John's father did not
approve. Soon all the village knew and he was named the villages' Dysfunctional member. After months of receiving the
cold shoulder from everyone he decided to move to the United States of America.
When John arrived to America he noticed many Cultural Universals. Such as couples holding hands, families embracing,
and married couples with children. Although John did not speak the English language he got by with Non-Verbal
Communication. Such as a kind gesture from a smiling flight attendant, pointing him in the right direction.
After a few years John began to date and met a nice girl, named Jane. John married Jane soon after and they had a son.
Their son was enculturated by his parents American and non-American ways from the time he was born.
Cameron Meek (8-23-09) [Midterm test]
When you hear the term "there are no bad people, just bad behavior," everyone will have a different opinion
weather or not they agree with the statement. I am one of the people who would not agree with it. It seems like
you could blame people for their action on their behavior but it is not an excuse.
The way you tell if someone is a good person or a bad person does not come from their behavior, it comes
from the decisions they made on a day to day basis. People make decisions before they act and it is those
decision where we can gauge just how bad these people are. So if I could change that quote I would say
something like this, "You can alway tell whether one person is good or bad
by the decisions they make."
Justin Buttars (8-10-09) [Response]
I have been culture shocked during my travels. There are several cases that will share below.
I had the opportunity to live in the Dakota having been breed and raised here in Utah. It was interesting and a
little disturbing to me how the people acted towards outsiders. They live in a lot of small communities and
everyone knows everyone. And they do not take too kindly to people that they do not know. But after being seen
around for a few months they warmed up to me. And then we were able to build some friendships.
And another time I think of culture shock is when at my work I was on a team that sent you too many different
airports to work. A group of us from Utah was deployed to go work at Chicago O’Hair Airport in Chicago, IL. It
was interesting to see the culture shock in the people from Utah and from Chicago. For example, the workers
at O’Hair airport were not used to people being nice to each other. The people from Utah were always in a
group working together. And always laughing and joking with each other. When one of them would have a
problem the group was there to help them through it. While the people from Chicago were dumbfounded at this
that people could truly be nice and care about one another.
During this deployment I was able to learn that many of those same people from Utah had never been to a
really big city before, and had no idea how to act in a big city. One evening while out in the town they were
riding on the “EL”. A member of the group pulled out a big wad of money and decided to count it in the train.
This is something you should never do in a big city. And he found out why. When they got off the train they were
mugged by a guy who was about 55 years old. He had a knife that was only about 1’ long. The people from the
Utah group were so scared that they gave him all of their money. This was an amount of about $1,000 total for
the group.
These are some of the incidents when I was able to observe people including myself involved in one or
another type of culture shock.
Melissa Beck (8-9-09) [Response]
Culture Shock is something that I fortunately have not had to deal with too much on a personal level although
traveling is one of my hobbies and I had visited many places. Nevertheless, I have yet to feel very
uncomfortable in large cities where I get anxiety. I don’t necessarily feel out of control per say, I feel out of my
element and over stimulated. Growing up in Salt Lake City has had its perks in the sense that I am close
enough to a decent city and I am also just far enough away to feel at bay with the anxiety that it provokes.
When I say anxiety, it is nothing that anyone could possibly notice unless you knew me well. I love to be
around people and events to a certain extent. A few hours are all that I need in a city to start to make me feel on
edge though. When I get to the point of “over stimulation” I walk very fast and cannot handle walking behind
others, I don’t like to continue detailed conversation and I like to find an open area that I can soak everything in.
Fortunately I don’t feel this way in my home town very often because I know my way around. I have only felt this
on a noticeable level in British Columbia, Seattle and many of the larger airports that I have been through.
Christi Zirbel (8-4-09) [Response followed by discussion in class]
I want to share a story about someone who experienced the shock in a different way then most of you
discussed in class:
I moved to a big city straight out of high school to start college. I loved it more then anything, I enjoyed the city
life, meeting new people, and my classes where great. I couldn't be more grateful to move away from the small
town that I grew up in, I felt very comfortable in the city. After living there for a while I had a great job, a loving
boyfriend, and was getting good grades in school.
As the days went on, shady thing after shady thing started happening to me. It started with the people I was
near to getting murdered, and moved onto a man trying to getting me to pull over when driving on the interstate
and when I wouldn't they tried to run me off the road. The problems quickly began to escalate from there.
Eventually, I wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone or take logical routes to and from places like school and
work, I couldn't drive my car more then a couple times in a row, and I hated being escorted everywhere. This
was the result of a stalker who knew my car, where I lived, and where I worked. When we finally got rid of him, it
was neighbors and acquaintances that started to do scary things that just made me scared of my environment
all the time. It was hard living constantly in fear, but I assumed it would all go away or I would learn how to handle
it because its just what happens in big cities. Unfortunately, it didn't get better. I was put through a couple more
trying situations, and the final one pushed me over the edge, I was sexually assaulted by a man I had simply
said hello to in passing a time or two. I was so shocked by the world I had become a part of that I couldn't stay...
it was time for me to move.
Justin Scheel (7-30-09) [Short response]
Most people question whether culture shock even exists. They find it hard to believe that a psychological
depression can result from being in a different culture. This is not the case however. Culture shock is a real
thing that can happen almost anywhere.
Culture shock can happen just about anywhere. It is as simple as being afraid of large cities, or the exact
opposite, small cities. Culture shock can happen inside a state or in a different country. People’s culture
changes from region to region. Culture shock is thought mostly as being in an unfamiliar place where no one
speaks the same language as you. This is how I thought of it when I first heard the word. There is no easy way
to get over culture shock. The only way is to suck it up and deal with it.
Charmain Chavez (7-29-09) [Response]
What is Culture Shock?? I would like to keep it simple and say we deal with it everyday just within the
changes of life and the natural progression but I know that it is much bigger then just everyday shocks. Maybe, I
should say that I have been so lucky to have my “culture shocked” I have truly enjoyed my good and bad
experiences. I can not wait to see what the future holds however just because I feel this way now does not mean
my views will change.
I created a culture shock for my son at an early age of seven. I moved him from Utah to Florida, removed him
from his family, friends, school, and everyday norms. I did not understand the impact it would have on him nor
myself. It was a change that was hard but more so for my son then myself. I am glad that I took the chance
because it has taught my son and myself many lessons.
Ilona Rowan (7-27-09) [Response]
By definition, culture shock is a condition of confusion and anxiety that can overwhelm a person in an alien
culture or milieu. The majority of immigrants experience this emotional impact at some point. Of course, there
are exceptions: some lucky folks never experience emotional or physical reactions that can result from finding
themselves in unknown environments or surroundings. Indeed, I was not one of those fortuitous individuals when
my plane landed in Miami in 2001 on my first visit to the U. S.
Experiencing a foreign language is a major factor in triggering culture shock. Without knowledge and
familiarity of the language, one cannot express themselves in the way they would like. Consequently, the
individual feels irrelevant, mindless and, yes, stupid.
Speaking from my own experience, which includes being born and raised in Russia, spending eight years in
Germany and then seven years in the USA, married to an American husband, raising my children as
Americans, but still being Russian at heart, I still attempt to fight the culture shock that occasionally occurs in my
daily routine.
Robert Leibhardt (7-29-09) [Discussion online]
Jesse Taylor (7-27-09) [Response]
Culture Shock is in many ways what all of us experience when we find ourselves outside our comfort zone
without any easy way back into it. In a sense, all of us live inside a box. Some boxes are larger then others,
some smaller. When we find ourselves going into new territory outside of that box, we often feel anxiety,
disorientation, out-of-control, uncertainty, and fear. It is usually caused by leaving most of the things are
comfortable and familiar with behind and going into completely unfamiliar territory.
With culture shock, it is specifically the leaving of ones own culture and customs, then becoming immersed in
a different culture and society all-together. It does not necessarily need to be introduction to another country
either. Changing states, cities, even changing jobs has its levels of culture shock. On the surface it may appear
different then doing something new, but underneath the surface, our emotions and reactions are the same.
Doing anything new produces the same emotional conflict inside us that is created with culture shock.
Darlene Barnes (7-23-09) [Discussion online]
Since we are celebrating our Independence this month, I will focus my discussion on Culture shock around that.
When people migrate to our country I am sure it is a big shock to them to Have such freedoms that we do.
Being able to practice religion as we please, choose how large our families are going to be with out worrying
about one of them being taken away or killed, and choosing our own professions. But that is what is so
appealing about our country.
Its hard to say what is wrong or right when it comes to how countries are run. It molds for the people and their
cultures and the way they are used to living. If there are certain people that don't like it, or have better ideas for
themselves, they find a place to move that better suits their lifestyle.
Martha Parker (7-24-09) [Discussion online]
Culture Shock
"A form of psychological distress that can result in depression, overeating, or irritability."
I have been pondering a question for several weeks now that fits right into our cultural discussion from class,
but before I state my particular question, I will pose a more general one. Considering our discussion on
sympathy the first day of class, when does having sympathy for a culture unlike one's own become dangerous?
What if a traveler enters a culture where social activities, family traditions, or government control are things the
traveler truly feels endanger the people's lives, psychological well-being, or eternal salvation? Perhaps the
traveler realizes he or she is in a state of culture shock and wants to have sympathy for these people, but is
also in a state of inner turmoil, knowing (at least as far as he or she is concerned) that what the people are
doing is harmful to them. How does this person reconcile the desire for sympathy with the belief of danger?
When is that reconciliation considered leaving the people in danger and when is it considered respect for a
culture different from one's own?
Ilona Rowan (7-24-09) [Discussion online]
I think that Darlene's comment " When people migrate to our country I am sure it is a big shock to them to have
such freedoms that we do" is a generalized statement. There are many countries that enjoy the same
freedoms as America – including many European countries, Japan and Canada. While it is often said that
America is the greatest country in the world, you will find millions of people who prefer their own country to ours
after visiting here. People are loyal to their countries because of their culture, music, food, art, traditions and
memories. The American Dream is not just limited to America. People of all nationalities aspire to have
families, homes and livelihoods that they enjoy. It is true that many things are possible here as well but it takes
hard work, education, sacrifice and a little bit of luck. To be poor in America is very difficult and we have
millions of people below the poverty line without health insurance and many unwanted children in our foster and
welfare systems across the country. If an immigrant is driven, ambitious and willing to work very hard than he/or
she can achieve great success. However, the reality of American life is not as portrayed on television or in the
movies. America is a place where great things are possible if a significant effort is made. For many however,
it is a very hard place to live.
Another discussion: body language
Yael Naim. New Soul. Lyrics at
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/y/yael_naim/new_soul.html
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/y/yael_naim/new_soul.html
Cheryl Schaefer's pick up for the discussion (7-29-09)
| Brian Pollack's contribution: Yelle - Tu Es Beau (CD Version) (7-31-09) |
Lyrics and translation at:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080730133058AA79YXq
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080730133058AA79YXq