Culture Shock – Americans In Asia

If you do much traveling overseas, especially for long time periods, you have probably experienced culture shock. From different hand gestures and body movements that express meaning to time zone changes to language, there are so many differences between countries and societies worldwide that assimilating is often not very easy.

But, if you do a little research before you travel, you can ease the transition. This is especially important if you plan on staying for a while. You can start with the small things and work your way to the larger. As an example, here are three minor things that differ between Asian counties and America.

People worldwide are obsessed with their appearance. However, in Asian countries it may be even more extreme. Plus, Asians tend to be fascinated by the physical appearance of Americans even more so. Just to give a small example, we in American have all manner of hygiene and skin product. But, we don’t have anything yet like the intense bb cream that is popular overseas. It works as a cure all for moisturizing, cover-up, acne and many other things. Asians go to extremes like removing the extra skin in their eyes to look more Western. They also aren’t inhibited about staring and even touching an Americans naturally kinky hair for instance.

Asian peoples in the Far East tend to skew thinner. So, if you are overweight in Japan, for instance, you better get a personal trainer. Because although in America, obesity is more and more the norm, you will really feel out of place getting stared at as the fat American amongst a populace of mostly thinner people.

Finally, space takes on a whole new meaning in Asia. With overcrowding and lack of space do to large factories, abundant crop planting as well as urban sprawl depending on where you are in Asia, home storage solutions are really an American phenomenon. Your living space and your room for putting your stuff is quite limited in many Asian countries. So, leave things behind or send them home.

These are only some things to think about. I have purposefully chosen things that you may not consider to illustrate how much difference there can be.

Preparation an acceptance of culture shock is one of the biggest keys to living overseas for long periods. It is also one of the things that people consider the least if they have never traveled for long periods. And, therefore, it is even greater of a shock when they experience it.

Tags: Abundant Crop, American Culture, American Phenomenon, Asian Countries, asian culture, Asian Peoples, Asians, Bb Cream, Body Movements, Culture Shock, Extra Skin, Hand Gestures, Home Storage Solutions, Living Space, Overcrowding, Personal Trainer, Physical Appearance, Populace, Skin Product, Time Periods, Time Zone Changes, Urban Sprawl