Culture Shock

Culture shock is a bit of a misleading term because it is not shocking. It’s not one moment where you are slapped in the face with culture, but rather a slow realization. It’s like that moment in a movie where it slowly dawns on the main character that nothing is as it seems. I did so much research before leaving that I felt I could have taught a course on British culture. I thought I knew everything and I could not possibly be surprised or confused. But that’s the thing about culture: it’s so pervasive that it affects every single aspect of life. It is impossible to know it all, even for someone who was raised in that culture.

I like to describe culture shock as an alternate dimension. It’s like being in the twilight zone. A lot of things are similar, so if I wasn’t observant, I might think that nothing had changed. It’s just different enough to make me slightly uncomfortable.

The wildlife in the UK is different from the US. We have squirrels, birds, deer, etc. but they are slightly different from those I am used to. Many geese congregate around the lake we have on campus. They aren’t black and white Canadian geese, but multicolored Egyptian geese, which I had never seen before. On one of the first days that I was at Roehampton, I looked out my window and saw bright green birds. After some research, I found out that parakeets are actually native to England. That really was a shock.

The directions on the road outside my university are extremely helpful. Even though I am aware that they drive on the left side of the road in the UK, it will take some getting used to. The writing tells you which way to look so that you won’t get hit by a car (see picture). In areas where there is no writing, there have been some close calls.

While I am out in public, I am constantly thinking about etiquette and manners. Brits love to be polite, and I love to follow the rules, so I want to do everything in the right way. But following the rules is hard when you don’t really know what the rules are. Here are a few that I have picked up.

1. If you must speak on public transport, do so quietly and NEVER talk to strangers on the tube.
2. Always say thank you. To the bus driver, the store clerk, anyone. Alternatively, you can say ‘cheers’. It means the same thing.
3. Always say sorry, no matter how small your misstep.
4. Dress well. Gym or lounge clothes are not appropriate unless you are going to the gym or lounging.

While in some ways English culture seems more formal, and that certainly is the stereotype, it’s flipped on its head in certain aspects. Even though some of my teachers hold doctorates, they are addressed solely by their first names. It is very rare to see the country’s flag or hear the national anthem in England, while you can walk down any US street without knowing which country you’re in. Service workers are much less friendly and more informal. I’ve learned to be more vocal because if you don’t ask for something (like water or the check), they won’t give it to you.

Even though living in this alternate dimension can be confusing, and even scary, I love it. I am learning something new every day simply by observing and asking questions. I revel in adhering to each social guideline, knowing that I have met expectations.