A Gaijin's Guide to Culture Shock

Culture shock is a term used to describe the anxiety and feelings (of surprise, disorientation, confusion, etc.) felt when people have to operate within an entirely different cultural or social environment, such as a foreign country.

Culture shock is something that we all deal with differently and its important that you are aware of it. Don't have the opinion that "It won't happen to you." Even if you're a seasoned traveller. Visiting a foreign country is a lot different from living in a foreign country.

Its something that normally takes three to four months to battle. There is only a period of a few weeks which are difficult. Its not a constant battle, but the feeling is normally in the back of your mind. There are a few different stages to Culture Shock:

1) The Amazement of the new environment and culture. (2-3 weeks from arrival).
2) Shock, rejection & stress. (4 weeks).
3) Adjustment. (2 weeks).
4) Acceptance of the new culture and environment. (2-3 weeks).

The first stage is when you are first discovering and exploring the country. Everything is amazing, the simplest things have you in ore. You lack an understanding on the inter workings of the culture but you are aware you need to think before you speak and act. So you don't offend anyone.

The second stage I can best describe to you as: The feeling when you walk into a party where you don't know anyone. You feel as if everyone is staring at you and judging you. You scan the room for a friendly face but come up empty handed. Now imagine that the room is filled with people dressed in formal attire and are in your underwear. Oh and also you don't speak their language... and you can't escape the party because its now you're life...

When you first arrive and you don't speak any Japanese. Most of the time the only word you will understand is your name. The human psyche tends to be a tad negative and when under stress of a new environment you'll think the world is against you. So when you do hear your name amongst a whole string of Japanese you'll think they are speaking ill of you. This isn't the case!!!

You will also find yourself thinking about sentences and even body movements over and over. This is because Japan has different expectations on what is acceptable behaviour. As a Gaijin you are expected to make mistakes. But you're want to belong & fit in (see Maslow's hierarchy of needs) So you will be attempting to make huge adjustments over a short period to ensure you're accepted.

This constant over thinking about the most simple acts is exhausting. Your body is also adjusting to a new diet as it isn't possible to maintain the diet of your home country.

People react differently to the stresses this places on you. I have witnessed and/or experienced the following:

• Extremely tired, get home after work fall asleep and awaken the next morning (feeling a lot better).
• Constantly asking your self "What am I doing here?".
• Always saying to yourself "I don't belong here!".
• Heightened emotions, crying for little or no reason.
  
• The urge to eat McDonald's frequently. This comes from the need to eat foods that are familiar to home.
• Increased smoking and/or increased alcohol consumption.
• In some extreme cases vomiting from stress.

The best way to tackle Culture Shock is to understand what to expect and realise that the way you are feeling is because of Culture Shock. Here are some tips to overcoming it:

• Keep busy, if you're working hard you'll find it hard to get caught up in culture shock.
• Express you're feelings to a fellow Gaijin. One of the most powerful ways to over come these feelings is to talk with another Gaijin. Discuss what happened at work, how you're feeling. How the Japanese people don't make sense! You're thoughts and feelings will be echoed.
  
• Read, study & observe the culture in which you find yourself, the more you understand the culture the better you can adjust to it.
  
• Don't focus on the feelings of doubt that you have. Focus on the positive things that are in your life. It might be as simple as you are living your dream of travelling and working!
• LAUGH! If you make a mistake, laugh it off! If you walked around the house in the toilet slippers LAUGH! Tell your gaijin friends about it, laugh laugh laugh!
• Japanese people will find it funny if you speak Japanese and make a mistake. If you make a cultural mistake they will laugh. They aren't laughing AT you. Every Gaijin they have met has made the same mistake. Don't get mad, laugh with them!
• Get lots of sleep, more than you normally would. You body needs time to recover and process the new culture.
  

One of my best Gaijin friends & I have a tradition of going to our favourite restaurant every Friday night and discussing to length about how we don't understand the Japanese people. From dating to asking questions in negative form. It's important to hear and reinforce your home countries beliefs, makes you realise that your not alone!

I also lived with five other Gaijin ladies in the same apartment block all teachers at the same school. Culture shock saw things get a little nasty and personal but we all worked through it. Try not to take your stress out on others. If you find yourself a victim to some else's stress, remember what they are going through. Once they come to their senses they will see the light.

Once you get through those few weeks trust me Japan is a simply amazing place! You'll never truly figure out why Japanese people are the way they are. The sooner you give up trying the better off you'll be!

Stay positive, work through it.