Recognizing and Overcoming Culture Shock

Introduction

• Importance of understanding culture shock in a globalized business environment.
• Personal experiences shared from living in multiple countries and speaking several languages.
• Emphasis on the challenges and the potential for beautiful outcomes from overcoming culture shock.

Characteristics of Culture Shock

• Emotional Responses:
  • Sadness, loneliness, melancholy, depression.
  • Feeling vulnerable or powerless due to unfamiliarity with social norms and language.
  • Anger, irritability, resentment, and unwillingness to interact.
• Stereotyping and Idealization:
  • Development of negative stereotypes about the new culture.
  • Idealization of one's own culture as a coping mechanism.

Understanding Culture Shock

• Expectation of Similarity:
  • People expect others to be like them, influenced by cultural schemas.
• Schemas:
  • Cognitive structures that help make sense of social surroundings, values, norms.
  • Influence expectations and perceptions.
  • Example: recognizing social cues like holding doors open.

The Cultural Divide

• Differences in behavior lead to cultural divides, perceived as 'right' vs 'wrong'.
• Emotional responses to these divides include anger, fear, disrespect.
• Normal psychological response to clashing schemas.

Wrong Path of Responding to Culture Shock

• False Attribution:
  • Making incorrect assumptions about another culture's behavior.
  • Leads to negative stereotypes and withdrawal from engagement.
• Us vs. Them Mentality:
  • Idealization of native culture and dehumanization of the other culture.

Constructive Approach to Culture Shock

• Awareness and Reflection:
  • Become aware of emotional reactions and reflect on their causes.
• Research and Understanding:
  • Observe and decode cultural differences through research and open communication.
  • Understand the factors influencing cultural norms (e.g., religion, history, communication styles).
• Rewire Schemas:
  • Develop culturally appropriate expectations for future interactions.

Benefits and Conclusion

• Learning and adapting to different cultures provides a competitive advantage in international business.
• Encouragement to use these skills to foster better international relations.
• Personal anecdotes emphasize the efficacy and necessity of these strategies.